Perhaps I Can Help

Eleanor Jenkins spoke, her eyes moving to the group of children gathered in the courtyard.

The earlier disturbance had scared them. Several teachers and volunteers were busy calming them, keeping them away from the classrooms for the moment.

"Those troublemakers keep coming back. A while ago, they frightened off several families who wanted to adopt. Now, many of our volunteers are too scared to return." Deep worry lines marked Eleanor's face, aging her beyond her years. "I know what they're doing. They're trying to force us to close. If I can't stop them, these children will be sent away to who-knows-where. They're so young... if they leave this place, what will become of them?"

A feeling of powerlessness and anger swelled inside Evelyn. "Isn't there any way to fight back? Is there really no one in this town who can stand up to the Hayes family?"

Eleanor released a heavy sigh. "We're nobody important, Evelyn. Our only choice is to endure for as long as we can."

Evelyn looked down, her frustration mounting. She hated the feeling of having no options.

Then, Alexander Blackwood's calm, steady voice cut through the tension. "Perhaps I can help."

Evelyn turned to him, her eyebrows lifting in surprise.

Alexander met her gaze, his expression serious. "If you trust me. I will do everything in my power to resolve this."

Evelyn hesitated. A part of her doubted that even someone like Alexander could truly challenge the Hayes family's influence.

She was acutely aware of his complicated standing within the Blackwood family. While the Blackwoods held more power than the Hayes, Alexander was not the favored son. What could he realistically accomplish?

But looking at the desperate situation the orphanage was in, Evelyn couldn't see any other path forward.

"Are you sure about this, Alexander?" Evelyn asked softly, concern lacing her voice. "I don't want you to get involved in something dangerous because of me."

He gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I will handle it."

Looking into his eyes, a strange sense of calm washed over Evelyn.

In that moment, she felt an inexplicable peace.

Maybe Alexander could actually solve this.

"Alright," Evelyn said, a faint smile touching her lips. "I trust you."

Alexander acted immediately. He pulled out his phone and made several calls, sending some of his trusted men to the orphanage. "They will keep watch for the next few days. They will ensure those thugs cause no further trouble."

Tears of gratitude welled in Eleanor's eyes. "Evelyn, Alexander, thank you. I cannot express what this means to me, and to these children. Thank you."

"Eleanor, please," Evelyn insisted. "There's no need for thanks. This is the least we can do."

Alexander nodded in agreement. "Eleanor, you gave Evelyn a home when she had none. You gave her a new life. You are family to her. Looking out for family is only right."

He paused, his voice softening. "Please, trust us to handle this."

After saying their goodbyes, Evelyn and Alexander left the orphanage and got back into the car.

As they drove away, Evelyn's thoughts returned to the day's events. A sharp pang of guilt struck her. She turned to Alexander, her expression apologetic. "I'm so sorry, Alexander. I promised you a proper date today, and instead, we ended up dealing with all this. I not only ruined our plans, but I dragged you into this mess."

Alexander reached over and gently took her hand, his thumb stroking her knuckles. "Hey, we can have a date any time. I'm just glad you brought me here. What happened today was not your fault. Don't worry about it. I will take care of everything."

Listening to the calm assurance in his voice, Evelyn nodded, feeling the tension and worry slowly begin to melt away.

She didn't ask him for details about how he planned to resolve the situation. She had chosen to trust him.

And she intended to trust him completely.