I must have angered Alexander.

The butler paused, a soft laugh escaping him. "Mrs. Blackwood, you're worrying too much. If you had truly offended Mr. Blackwood, his reaction would be far different."

Evelyn detected a deeper meaning. She focused her gaze on him, silently urging him to continue.

"Once, at a social event, a man had too much to drink and decided to provoke Mr. Blackwood." He stopped, his face a mask.

Her interest sharpened. "What did he say?"

The butler looked directly at her, his expression turning grave. "He ridiculed Mr. Blackwood for his wheelchair... and for being disowned by the Blackwood family. These are common rumors among the elite."

His voice lowered. "That man poured an entire bottle of expensive wine over Mr. Blackwood. He sneered that he would only forgive him if he crawled on his knees and begged."

Evelyn's heart constricted. She never imagined Alexander had endured such public degradation.

"He was humiliated like that? In front of everyone?" she whispered. "What did Alexander do?"

The butler's tone was even. "That man was also from high society, though his status was insignificant compared to the Blackwoods. Even then, the Blackwood family did not defend Mr. Blackwood."

His eyes grew dark. "Later, Mr. Blackwood ensured that man's arms and legs were permanently damaged. He ended up confined to a wheelchair, just like Mr. Blackwood."

Alexander had crippled him.

A cold dread seeped into Evelyn. Her lips parted in shock. Unease flickered in her eyes.

"The event became city-wide gossip," the butler said, his calm tone eerie. "Eventually, the Blackwood family severed all ties with Mr. Blackwood. He has lived here at Serenity Oaks ever since."

His face was neutral, but a heavy chill settled in Evelyn's chest. Her thoughts raced chaotically. She realized how little she truly knew Alexander. The man at the party had been vile, but she knew she would never treat Alexander that way.

She respected him deeply. She never looked down on him because of his disability.

His condition wasn't his fault. He was a victim.

The Blackwoods had already discarded him because of it. His retaliation against such cruelty was justified.

So what had she done last night to upset him?

She couldn't help but seek the butler's advice. "I must have upset Alexander. How can I apologize?"

The butler hesitated before speaking candidly. "I'm afraid I don't know, Mrs. Blackwood. I've served here for years, and no one has ever truly understood his thoughts. But since he hasn't asked you to leave, I don't believe he dislikes you."

"He personally went to fetch you today." A gentle smile touched his lips. "Perhaps you should make the first move, Mrs. Blackwood. Show him sincerity. I'm certain he will notice."

Evelyn blinked. She looked down at the shopping bag in her hand.

He was right. She hadn't yet shown Alexander the clothes she bought for him.

Without delay, she grabbed the bag and hurried straight to his study.

As she raised her hand to knock, voices filtered through the door.

"Mr. Blackwood, the seasonal designs for Aethelgard Industries are ready. Which proposals should we approve?"

Alexander's voice was icy and dismissive. "They're all worthless. Send them back. Demand a complete redesign."

A brief silence followed. Then the subordinate spoke again. "The deadline is approaching rapidly."

The next instant, Alexander let out a sharp, cold sneer. "Aethelgard Industries is a major corporation. Are all its employees utterly incompetent? If they cannot meet the deadline, fire them all."

Evelyn's eyes widened in shock. Had she heard correctly?

Did Alexander just say... Aethelgard Industries?