Alexander Blackwood stood before her, his frame lean and commanding. The impeccably tailored evening suit accentuated his powerful shoulders and back. It lent him an even more formidable and authoritative presence.

Evelyn froze, caught completely off guard. Her heart began to race, a traitorous rhythm she couldn't control.

In an instant, Alexander moved. His long legs carried him forward with a fluid, effortless grace, as if he were strolling through a gentle wind. Every step radiated a quiet, unshakeable power.

The soft living room light washed over him, making the fine fabric of his suit shimmer subtly.

For the first time, Evelyn saw him like this. He possessed an innate elegance, a noble bearing that seemed part of his very essence.

He hadn't made any special effort tonight, yet his sharply defined features held a natural sophistication that was impossible to ignore.

Evelyn's pulse hammered in her ears. The sight of him captivated her utterly. It was only when Alexander stopped directly in front of her, a faint smile playing on his lips, that she realized she had been staring. Even then, she found she couldn't look away.

Seeing the pure admiration in her eyes, Alexander's smile widened.

"Well?" he asked, his gaze locked on her. He didn't want to miss a single flicker of her reaction.

Evelyn snapped back to reality, though her eyes remained glued to him.

She nodded, her excitement bubbling over. "You look incredible! So handsome. Unbelievably handsome. Like a prince from a storybook. It's mesmerizing."

Alexander let out a soft chuckle, his expression turning playful as he leaned in slightly. "It seems you're already enchanted."

His deep, resonant voice sent a warm shiver straight to her core.

Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. A mix of shyness and embarrassment swirled within her, yet she still couldn't tear her gaze away.

"Mm," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm already yours."

Alexander's face lit up with a brilliant smile, his eyebrows arching in delight. "The honor is entirely mine."

The air between them grew thick, charged with an unspoken intimacy.

Sensing the escalating tension, the butler and staff discreetly made some noise to interrupt the moment.

"Samuel, is dinner prepared? Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood must be hungry."

"Oh! I nearly forgot the plants in the conservatory need attention."

Startled, Evelyn instinctively stepped back. But before she could lose her balance, Alexander's arm shot out and wrapped firmly around her waist, steadying her.

As Samuel and the staff quickly dispersed, Evelyn's face burned even hotter.

She had just been so openly affectionate with Alexander in front of everyone. How utterly mortifying!

At least they hadn't completely lost their composure.

If they had been caught in an embrace—or worse, a kiss—she would never be able to face anyone at dinner.

Internally, Evelyn was panicking. She placed a hand lightly on Alexander's chest. "What are you doing? We're in the living room! Control yourself."

Alexander raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I didn't do anything. If I recall correctly, you were the one who was spellbound just now."

Evelyn's eyes widened, her face turning a deeper shade of red. She bit her lip, momentarily speechless.

What could she even say? Everyone had witnessed it. She had been so swept up in him that she'd forgotten everything else.

And now this man had the audacity to tease her about it!

The more she thought about it, the more flustered she became. She quickly turned her head away, trying to hide her expression.

"I was merely admiring the suit. My design. You were just the model, that's all. Nothing special about you," she said, her voice haughty.