Chapter 131 Encounter
"You really are a little beast!" Evelyn laughed, her face turning red.
Gilbert's lips curved into a faint smile, his icy eyes softening. His left arm stayed around her waist while his right hand pushed his glasses down with his middle finger.
'That nickname, it's been ages. Even Elbert Alexander doesn't call me that anymore. But Evelyn still does, just like when we were kids, wild and free.' he thought with a smile.
"Fifteen years flew by, and you're still gorgeous." he said.
"You're not bad yourself!" Evelyn squinted playfully and patted his cheek. Her roguish behavior didn't bother him at all.
'If she were well-behaved, she wouldn't be the Evelyn I know.' Gilbert thought.
Evelyn hiccuped and swayed unsteadily.
Gilbert's smile widened, and he picked her up without asking.
"Put me down!" Evelyn, her face flushed, squirmed in his arms like a restless kitten. Her fair legs kicked under her burgundy dress, reflecting light.
His eyes darkened with a playful thought, "I'll put you down if you say my name."
"You, you are, Gil, Gil." Evelyn was so drunk she couldn't think straight, let alone remember his name.
"My name is Gilbert, but you can call me little beast too." Gilbert whispered in her ear, his voice hoarse and alluring, "But only you can."
Evelyn, too drunk to understand, didn't catch a word.
Gilbert gently placed her on the sofa.
Just then, his phone rang. It was Curtis James. "Mr. Alexander, everyone's here."
"Send them all back," Gilbert said, smiling indulgently at Evelyn.
"Huh?" Curtis was surprised.
"Cancel today's gathering, send everyone home, and don't bother me."
"Yes, Mr. Alexander." Curtis agreed without question.
"And get some hangover medicine, quick." After hanging up, Gilbert sat beside Evelyn, tucking a strand of her damp hair behind her ear.
Meanwhile,
Eric finished his last song and collapsed on the sofa, passing out.
Edward frowned, his heart heavy. He finished his wine in one gulp, then took one of Eric's cigarettes, lighting it with a touch of sophisticated nonchalance.
Since divorcing Evelyn, his life had fallen apart. Smoking and drinking had become his habits, with no one to tell him otherwise.
"Evelyn, Evelyn." Eric, eyes closed, tore at his shirt, calling her name incoherently.
Edward snapped back, flicked his cigarette, and nudged Eric's arm with his shoe.
"Shut up, calling her won't bring her back. Do you even have the right to call her Evelyn?"
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Bart stood there, panting and holding the door frame.
"Don't you know how to knock?" Edward said coolly, extinguishing his cigarette.
"Edward! I just saw Mrs. Wellington!" Bart exclaimed, sweating profusely.
"What?" Edward shot up. "Where?!"
"Edward, promise you won't get impulsive or angry," Bart said, swallowing hard. "I saw Mrs. Wellington go into a private room with a guy wearing glasses."
Edward's mind exploded, his eyes turning red. "Which room? Show me!"
Meanwhile, Curtis quickly bought the hangover medicine.
Gilbert took the bottle from Curtis, personally feeding Evelyn the medicine and giving her warm water to rinse her mouth.
Curtis was stunned. 'Gilbert, usually so cold and ruthless, was being so attentive. Who is this Evelyn? Has Gilbert fallen for her? Even heroes can't resist beauty, and Evelyn probably can't resist Gilbert either.'
"Feeling better?" Gilbert asked gently, noticing the flush on Evelyn's cheeks fading.
Evelyn placed her hand on her chest, her vision clearing, but her stomach still churned.
"Drinking too much is harmful. You should drink less," Gilbert said, concerned, offering her more water.
Evelyn couldn't remember what had happened but saw that Gilbert meant no harm. He was quite handsome, with gold-rimmed glasses adding a scholarly touch to his face.
"Sir, you look familiar," Evelyn said, rubbing her temples.
Gilbert's eyes narrowed slightly and he thought, 'Evelyn had forgotten me.'
Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud bang!
Edward stormed in like a blade cutting through the dim light.
Gilbert's face darkened, his glasses reflecting a cold glint.
"Mr. Alexander, it's Edward from the Wellington Group!" Curtis whispered.
"Get him out," Gilbert said, raising his chin.
Curtis nodded and approached Edward. "Edward, please leave immediately."
Before Curtis could finish, Edward shoved him aside and strode over to Evelyn. His imposing figure cast a shadow over her, his eyes cold as ice.
Evelyn, still confused, rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked up. "Edward? What are you doing here?"
"Come with me," Edward said, suppressing his anger, pulling her into his embrace.
His rage was like a cataclysmic tempest, a maelstrom of fury.
'Evelyn has taken his project during the day and now is with a random guy at night? And a pretentious gigolo at that! Does she have any conscience?' Edward thought.
"Why should I go with you? Who do you think you are?!" Evelyn, now mostly sober, struggled to break free. "Let go! Why are you following me? Who wants to go with you?!"
"Evelyn, don't test my patience!" Edward gritted his teeth, his fingers tightening.
Gilbert's eyes darkened, and he grabbed Evelyn's other wrist.
Caught in the middle, Evelyn felt both her arms being pulled, the pain making her feel like she was about to split apart!
"Can't you see? Ms. Taylor doesn't want to go with you. Forcing her, what kind of gentleman are you?" Gilbert's lips curved into a cold smile.
"Our relationship is none of your business!" Edward's temple veins throbbed.
Gilbert adjusted his glasses, his gaze intense. "I'm an outsider, but who are you to Ms. Taylor?"
Edward and Evelyn locked eyes and spoke simultaneously.
Edward said, "Husband!"
Evelyn said, "Ex-husband!"
