Mrs. Blackwood, What Brings You Here

A tense silence hung in the hallway.

It was broken by the cautious voice of Alexander’s subordinate. "Mr. Blackwood?"

His tone was urgent. "There's a pressing matter I need to discuss with you."

The man shifted his weight nervously. He couldn't shake a strange feeling. Was Mr. Blackwood unwell from overwork? His voice had sounded strained, almost odd.

Behind the study door, Evelyn’s cheeks burned with a fierce blush.

This room was Alexander’s private sanctuary. A place for intense focus and work. And she had just barged in, disrupting him.

The thought that she might have interfered with his important tasks twisted her stomach with regret.

"You... you should get back to work," she stammered, her words faltering. "I'll... I'll go prepare a snack for you. You can have it whenever you're free."

She didn't wait for a reply.

Spinning on her heel, Evelyn fled the study, her heart hammering against her ribs.

The subordinate outside jumped as the door suddenly swung open. He stood frozen, caught completely off guard. He hadn't expected his boss to answer the door himself.

His surprise turned to sheer bewilderment when he saw who stood there.

"Mrs. Blackwood?" he blurted out, his eyes wide. "What are you doing here?"

As long as he had served Alexander Blackwood, the study had been a fortress. A strictly enforced solitary space. Even the household staff had to schedule cleanings far in advance.

Yet Evelyn, married to Alexander for only a few days, seemed to come and go as she pleased.

Evelyn tried to compose herself, but words failed her.

Her anxious eyes darted away. They shimmered, hinting at recently suppressed tears, betraying her inner turmoil.

After an awkward pause, she nervously bit her lip. "He's inside," she managed to whisper before retreating down the hall at a hurried pace.

The confused subordinate stepped into the study.

His gaze immediately collided with Alexander’s stern, contemplative face. The man loomed behind his imposing desk.

The subordinate had no idea he had just ruined a moment.

The image of Evelyn’s red-rimmed eyes haunted him. It sparked a cascade of speculation.

Was there trouble between the newlyweds?

Alexander’s temper was famously unpredictable. And though they were married, Evelyn was still largely a stranger to his deeper complexities.

To the subordinate, it seemed entirely plausible that Alexander, in a harsh moment, had wounded her gentle spirit. His limited interactions with Mrs. Blackwood had painted her as kind and warm—a stark contrast to Alexander’s occasional coldness.

The more he thought about it, the more his sympathy for Evelyn grew. A blend of concern and curiosity stirred within him.

He sighed quietly. No matter the reason, when Alexander Blackwood’s mood turned dark, his subordinates always bore the brunt of it. He dreaded the report he was about to deliver.

"What is it?" Alexander’s voice was sharp, tinged with clear irritation. "Out with it."

The subordinate paused to gather his courage. He extended an ornate, cream-colored invitation with both hands. "Mr. Blackwood, please have a look at this."

Alexander snatched the card, unfolding it with a swift, impatient motion. His eyes scanned the elegant script. A cold, sardonic smile slowly crept across his features.

"Harrison’s grand birthday gala?" he sneered, his eyes glinting with pure scorn.

Harrison Blackwood. His half-brother. They shared a father, but nothing else. Harrison was the son of Margaret Blackwood—Alexander's ambitious, conniving stepmother.

For years, Margaret had maneuvered with relentless cunning. She orchestrated countless plots to secure Harrison's position as the favored heir. Her efforts always involved undermining Alexander at every possible turn.

This invitation, embossed with the prestigious Blackwood family crest, signified a lavish celebration for the golden child. A tradition that underscored the blatant favoritism Harrison enjoyed.

It was interesting, the subordinate noted. This was the first year the Blackwood family had deigned to send Alexander an official invitation. Perhaps they finally feared the embarrassment of his absence at such a high-profile event.