Chapter 327

Alexander's taunt made Nathaniel's expression shift instantly. His fists clenched discreetly beneath the table.

The Kingsley family pretended not to notice, but Victor, sharp as ever, caught the tension. His gaze darkened as he studied Alexander, displeasure evident in his eyes.

"Evelyn, I'll have someone bring you a glass of white wine to pair with the seafood," Alexander suggested smoothly, now ignoring Nathaniel's stiff posture. "A small sip won't hurt."

Evelyn cleared her throat. "Honestly, anything is fine for me."

Trapped between the two Whitmore brothers, she felt her scalp prickle with discomfort. Forcing an awkward smile, she added, "Though I actually prefer beer."

To her surprise, both Nathaniel and Alexander turned to her simultaneously, their voices overlapping.

"No! That could cause gout!"

As dinner wound down, Alexander excused himself to the restroom.

Standing at the sink, he methodically pumped hand sanitizer into his palm. His pale, elegant hands looked almost clinical under the harsh lighting. He scrubbed them vigorously until they flushed pink.

Five washes later, he lifted his hands to his nose and inhaled. The faintest trace of seafood lingered. With a quiet sigh, he squeezed another dollop of sanitizer, meticulously cleaning each finger.

The restroom door creaked open.

Nathaniel stepped inside, his expression stormy as he watched his brother’s obsessive ritual. A mocking smirk curled his lips. "Going all out, aren’t you, Alex? Spending the whole night peeling shrimp for Evelyn must be torture for a germaphobe like you. Will you be dreaming of soap tonight?"

Alexander ignored him, plucking a few tissues from the dispenser. He patted his hands dry with deliberate grace, his fair lashes lowered.

"Nathaniel, it's been years. I thought you might have picked up some impressive skills abroad," Nathaniel sneered. "Turns out, you’ve just perfected the art of groveling."

Alexander’s lips curved. "Oh? Are you jealous? At least in front of Evelyn, I have the privilege of groveling. You don’t even get that chance, do you?"

Nathaniel’s jaw tightened.

"Compared to your pathetic attempts to get close to her," Alexander continued smoothly, "being a groveler seems far more valuable, doesn’t it?"

Nathaniel let out a sharp, furious laugh. "No wonder Father never favored you. You’ve always been twisted. Being human isn’t enough for you—you’d rather be her lapdog!"

"In a world that laughs at failure but not at success," Alexander mused, tossing the crumpled tissue into the bin, "the ends justify the means." He tilted his head. "Since we were children, you’ve barely spared me a word. Why the sudden interest tonight? Could it be that you’re desperate to see me win Evelyn’s favor? Does it sting to realize even a lapdog outshines you?"

"Alex!" Nathaniel’s voice was a snarl. "Don’t get ahead of yourself. Father will never approve of you and Evelyn. Do you honestly think you stand a chance against me?"

"Whether I do or not," Alexander replied coolly, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses, "has never been for you to decide." His dark eyes glinted as he met Nathaniel’s furious gaze. "When it comes to Evelyn, victory is inevitable for me."

The tension snapped. Nathaniel stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Alexander’s smile faded. His fingers curled into fists.

Then, his phone buzzed. He answered coldly. "What?"

"Mr. Whitmore," his secretary’s voice was cautious, "there’s something you should know. Please remain calm."

A pause. Then, in a hushed tone: "Nathan Blackwood is at Willow Creek Estate’s gates. He came alone."

Alexander’s eyes darkened. "Understood."

Meanwhile, Nathan stood beneath the flickering streetlamp across from Willow Creek Estate, the autumn wind slicing through his thin suit.

This was his third time waiting here for Evelyn.

But tonight was different. The quiet hope he’d once harbored had morphed into something fiercer—a longing that burned in his chest.

Pride told him not to call her. No self-respecting man would endure this humiliation repeatedly.

So he waited.

She would come out eventually.

And he would see her.