CHAPTER 55: GREGORY’S RAGE

[Outside Carter Mansion]

The sun was soft and warm, casting long golden rays across the Carter driveway as Alexander pulled up in front of the house.

The quiet purr of his car engine faded, leaving only the gentle chirping of birds and the faint breeze rustling the trees.

Evelyn was laughing as she stepped out of the passenger side.

Alexander circled the car and opened her door like he always did like his hand lightly resting on the top of the frame.

"Thank you for today," she said, her voice shy but warm.

Alexander’s lips curved. It was soft and intimate, a smile he reserved only for her. "I should be thanking you. I haven’t enjoyed lunch that much in years."

She rolled her eyes. "You barely ate."

"I was busy looking at you," he said simply.

Evelyn’s heart tripped.

She pushed his arm lightly. "Don’t say things like that so casually."

"I mean them," he said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

The moment felt quiet, private and previous until a sharp voice sliced through the air.

"Evelyn."

They both turned.

Gregory Carter stood at the front door with a thunderous expression and his fists clenched at his sides.

Evelyn’s smile fell instantly. "Dad?"

He began walking toward them with long, furious strides that made Alexander straighten reflexively.

"Mr. Carter," Alexander greeted respectfully.

Gregory stopped a few feet away with jaw tight. His eyes flicked from their closeness.

Alexander’s hand still near Evelyn’s waist and her flushed face only enraged him more.

Then his voice dropped as he glared at Alexander. "You are not welcome here, you will leave." His voice held an authority that brooked no argument.

Evelyn’s face drained. "Dad—what are you saying?" She had never seen her father so furious.

They had a nice conversation in the morning when he was in her office. This made her wonder what might have happened.

Gregory held up a hand sharply. "Quiet, Evelyn."

She froze. The cold tone and sharpness of his voice made every nerve in her body shiver.

Alexander’s brows drew together in confusion. "Sir, if I have unknowingly offended—"

"You haven’t," Gregory cut in, "but your father has and that is enough."

Alexander inhaled slowly. "My father?"

"Yes," Gregory snapped. "You want to know the problem? Go and ask Benjamin Reid."

Alexander stiffened at the bitterness in Gregory’s voice. He looked at Evelyn who shook her head helplessly, clearly unaware of what was happening.

"Dad, this is not fair," she whispered. "Alexander has done nothing—"

"I said stay quiet."

She flinched.

She opened her mouth to protest but then closed it because the way her father’s shoulders were set told her the argument would not be with her but with whoever had crossed him.

She stepped down from the car with her hands trembling just enough to betray her composure.

Alexander stepped slightly forward. "Mr. Carter, if there has been a misunderstanding, let me clarify," he said in a calm and steady voice, making sure he doesn’t offend him more than he already was.

"There is no misunderstanding," Gregory bit out. "You are not entering this house, you are not seeing my daughter and nd you will leave now."

A hush dropped over the moment.

Evelyn’s eyes widened in horror. "Dad, stop—you can’t talk to him like that."

Gregory grabbed her arm not harshly but firm enough to show finality.

"You don’t tell me how I talk to people," he ordered. "Now go inside young lady before you get into some serious trouble."

"No—" she protested. "I won’t leave until you tell me what is wrong."

Gregory closed his eyes in pain."My daughter will not be insulted by that family ever again. Now go inside."

"What?" Evelyn frowned. "Insulted? Dad, what are you talking about?"

Alexander felt something dark coil inside him but he stayed calm for Evelyn’s sake.

Before Evelyn could say anything more, Alexander cut him off. "Evelyn, I think you should listen to your father."

"What?" She looked at him surprised.

"Listen to me, okay?" Alexander looked at her. "Let me handle this."

Given how enraged Gregory was, listening to what he was saying was the best approach until he figured out what had happened.

He then looked at Gregory. "I will speak to my father," he said quietly, "and once I understand what happened, I will return to speak with you."

Gregory didn’t look convinced. "You won’t be speaking with me," he said. "Evelyn is out of your life and thats it."

Evelyn’s breath hitched. "Dad—"

"Inside," he repeated, voice cracking.

She looked at Alexander with wide eyed. She was clearly hurt and helpless.

Alexander watched her step back toward the porch and he felt something clench and break at the sight of her small uncertain figure framed by the doorway.

He wanted to argue and Gregory that his presence was no intrusion. He wanted to stand and take the rebuke and turn it into the sort of confrontation but instead he bowed his head slightly, an old and controlled gesture of respect.

He didn’t wish to say anything that would make Gregory feel disrepscted.

He was Evelyn’s father after all. Any disrespectful comment on him would be disrespectful to Evelyn as well.

Alexander looked at Evelyn as he reassured her again. "It’s okay, I will fix this." His expression was composed but storming beneath the surface.

Her eyes glimmered with tears but she managed to give him a nod.

Gregory tugged her gently toward the door.

Evelyn didn’t take her eyes off him until her father dragged her inside the house.

And Alexander simply watched her go.

Seconds later, Gregory stepped out again.

"Leave before I ask the security to escort you out."

"I will not walk away from her," Alexander declared. "And you know that too."

Gregory didn’t respond.

"I don’t know what my father said that enraged you so much," Alexander added, still maintaining his calm composure. "But my relationship with Evelyn has nothing to do with him or whatever he is planning."

Gregory scoffed in response. "And you expect me to believe you?"

"Go home Alexander," he added. "Whatever is there between you and Evelyn, it’s over."

He then walked inside the house, leaving Alexander in the driveway.

.....