Chapter 27: Outshone every star
"Why didn’t you tell me that Lucius got married?" Evelina demanded, her voice laced with frustration as she faced Alekis.
"I didn’t think you cared about Lucius," Alekis replied coolly, placing his half-burned cigar in the ashtray. "Weren’t you too busy with your second family? When Lucius needed his mother, you were nowhere to be found." He leaned back in the armchair, his posture relaxed, but his eyes were sharp, scrutinizing her every move.
Before Evelina could respond, Nico, Alekis’s trusted aide, entered the room and bowed respectfully. "My Lord, I received a message from Master Lucius’s secretary. He is not interested in meeting any visitors and has a prior engagement for this evening’s reception."
"Did you hear that, Eve?" Alekis said, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "This is who Lucius has become. He doesn’t take orders from anyone. He does as he pleases. You should go back instead of imposing yourself at this reception."
Evelina’s eyes narrowed. "I’m not going anywhere. I intend to see what kind of woman Layla is with my own eyes," she declared firmly, turning her gaze to Nico. "You still serve your master well, Nico. Is the guest room prepared?"
Nico, caught off guard by her directness, stammered. "Y-yes, Madam. The guest room is ready."
Evelina rose from her seat, keeping a cold demeanor. "Alekis, I had hoped you would keep Lucius out of your sordid family history. You’ve disappointed me in more ways than I can count," she said, her words biting.
Without waiting for a response, she swept out of the room, her presence lingering like a storm that had just passed, leaving Alekis staring after her, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face.
Fiona, who had been lingering anxiously outside the study, burst in after a quick knock. "Father, is she planning to stay here for long?" There was a tremor of fear in her voice.