secret lover 158 Summary
On Oliver’s birthday, Evelyn is busy overseeing the preparations for the party from early morning. She is deeply involved in every detail, despite Axel’s suggestion to let their butler Jimmy handle it. Evelyn moves swiftly between the kitchen and the back hall, ensuring everything is perfect, especially the cement of the cake table for optimal lighting. Axel watches her with a mix of amusement and admiration, noting how determined and precise she bes when organizing events.
Axel gently urges Evelyn to let the chef work without distractions, and she reluctantly agrees but quickly resumes directing the decorators. She then asks Axel to check that the security guards have the guest list, worried about uninvited guests, especially her father potentially following unwanted people like Alicia and Ste. After a brief affectionate exchange, Evelyn heads upstairs to check on their son, who stayed upte the previous night.
Later, Axel reviews the guest list with Liam, noting it includes only Evelyn’s close friends and family, which he finds “interesting.” He reflects on the presence of a guest named Ethan, who hasn’t visited the city in years and is not usually seen publicly with Axel. Liam questions this, but Axel remains silent and focused on ensuring strict security.
Axel instructs Liam to make sure no one enters the property without clearance, emphasizing the importance of preventing uninvited guests. He orders double patrols on the back perimeter and for Jimmy to keep the dogs near the stables, where Evelyn and their son will beter. Axel’s tone is firm and serious, showing his determination to protect his family and maintain control over the event.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
158 The Guest List
October 20, Oliver’s birthday party.
Since early morning, long before breakfast, Evelyn had been a blur of motion around the house.
The back hall buzzed with activity as florists arranged bouquets and staff hung thest of the gands for Oliver’s birthday lunch.
The theme she had chosen, Horses and Ponies, was perfectly fitting for her son’s current obsession. The scent of hay and freshly cut grass from the stables mingled faintly with the sweet smell of frosting drifting from the kitchen.
But Evelyn was not one to leave things entirely in the hands of others.
Even though Axel had asked her repeatedly to let Jimmy, their reliable butler, handle everything, Evelyn insisted on double–checking every detail herself.
She moved briskly between the back hall and the main kitchen, her tablet in hand, asionally stopping to
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make notes.
The chef, Danny, and a few staff were busy at a row of
stainless steel counters.
She gracefully approached Danny.
“Good morning, ma’am, sir…” Danny greeted Evelyn and Axel with a polite
Axel nods slightly.
Evelyn smiled.
“Morning. Oh, right, Danny, the cake table should be set near the terrace, not beside the buffet. The light there is perfect for photos,” she said, her tone polite but decisive.
Danny nodded quickly, clearly used to her style. “Understood, Madam.”
Axel stood a few paces behind her, watching with quiet amusement.
His wife was unstoppable when she got into event mode. She looks precise, charming, and terrifying all
at once.
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After waiting several minutes and realizing Evelyn had no intention of leaving the poor chef alone, Axel finally stepped forward.
“Eve,” He called gently, “let Danny work. If you keep distracting him, we might miss lunch entirely. At this rate, we’ll be celebrating with dinner.”
Evelyn turned her head sharply, frowning for a moment before her lips curved into a reluctant smile.
“Alright, alright. I’m done.” She gave Danny a reassuring pat on the arm. “Carry on, Chef.”
Axel smirked, clearly pleased with himself. But before he could get another word in, Evelyn was already moving again, giving orders to the decorators. O
Then she turned back to him, “You don’t have to follow me everywhere, Axel. Make yourself useful…please?”
She smiled when she saw he was about to protest. Hurriedly, she added, “Can you check if the guards have the guest list? I don’t want the wrong person walking in.”
It would be regrettable if her father ended up
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following Alicia and Ste here.
“Ah, you’re right. The list is already-”
“I’ve given it to Liam,” she interrupted swiftly. “Just recheck it.”
Axel held her hand, pulling her closer till their hips touched, then whispered, “Don’t tire yourself, huh? I
will be worried.”
She nods slightly, “Hmm… I’m finished here, but I need to check on the birthday boy upstairs.”
“Oh, don’t wake him. He stayed up verytest night.”
“I know. You’re the one who insists on waking him up,” she chuckled softly. Her thoughts drift back tost night, remembering how they surprised their sleepy son into blowing out the candle.
Evelyn shed him a quick smile and hurried toward
the stairs.
Watching her go, Axel could only shake his head before he called Liam.
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Before long,
Axel was seated on the sofa in his home office, the morning sunlight filtering through the tall windows behind him.
A neatly printed paper rested in his hands, the guest list his wife had prepared so carefully.
Liam sat across from him, silent and alert, waiting for
orders.
Axel’s eyes scanned each line, pausing only when a familiar name caught his attention. His brows drew together slightly.
“Well,” he murmured, leaning back against the sofa, “this is… interesting.”
Liam tilted his head. “Is that all, Madam Evelyn’s close friends and family, sir?”
Axel nodded once, still looking at the page. “It is.”
He tapped a finger thoughtfully against the paper before setting it down on the coffee table.
The faintest trace of a smile tugged at his mouth, the
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kind that appeared whenever something caught him off guard, but in a way that amused rather than annoyed him.
“Interesting,” he repeated under his breath, more to himself than to Liam.
“Should I ask what’s interesting about it?” Liam asked carefully.
He didn’t answer his question; instead, he instructed, “Just ensure the guards at the front gate don’t mistakenly let anyone onto my property.”
“Yes, sir.” Liam nods quickly. “How about your guest?”
Axel didn’t answer right away. He looked lost in thought for a few seconds, rubbing his temple as if he was trying to piece something together.
Finally, he exhaled softly. “You know my circle, Liam. It’s a short list. Apart from my grandparents, there’s Jack and Collins… and apparently, Ethan mighte.”
Liam’s eyes widened slightly. “Ethan, sir? Are you sure?”
Axel’s tone was casual, but his gaze was sharp. “That’s
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what I said.”
Liam frowned, clearly puzzled. “He hasn’t visited the city in years. And he’s never been seen with you publicly. Why now?”
Axel’s expression didn’t change. He didn’t respond.
For a brief moment, silence stretched between them.
The clock ticked steadily in the corner, and somewhere outside, the faint chatter of staff preparing for the party drifted through the open
window.
Finally, Axel sat forward, his hands sped loosely together.
His voice was calm, but there was a sternness to it that made Liam reflexively straighten slightly in his
seat.
“Alright, make sure no one enters the property
without clearance,” he said. “Not one unfamiliar face. I don’t care if they im to be guests or delivery staff. I want every entry point checked and double–checked.”
Liam nodded immediately. “Understood, sir.”
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Axel continued, his expression unreadable.
“We’ve had uninvited guests before. I don’t want it to happen again, especially today. If someone tries to break in, I want to know before they take their second step past the gate.”
“Yes, sir,” Liam said firmly.
As Liam turned to leave, Axel added in a quieter tone, “Tighten security. Double the patrol at the back perimeter. And tell Jimmy to keep the dogs near the stables. My wife and son will be out thereter.”
“Yes, sir.”
23:44 0 Conclusion
The chapter delicately captures Evelyn’s unwavering dedication to creating a perfect celebration for her son, highlighting her meticulous nature and the subtle dance of partnership with Axel. Their interactions reveal a blend of affection and mutual respect, underscored by a shared concern for their family’s well-being amidst the underlying tension of potential uninvited guests. The carefully curated guest list symbolizes not only the importance of the asion but also the protective boundaries they strive to maintain around their personal lives.
Axel’s quiet vignce and the heightened security measures reflect a deeperyer of caution that contrasts with the festive preparations, suggesting that beneath the surface of celebration lies a watchful readiness. Together, Evelyn and Axel navigate theplexities of hosting a joyful event while guarding against disruptions, embodying the bnce between warmth and vignce that defines their world. The chapter closes on this note of poised anticipation, leaving the reader attuned to the delicate intery of joy and caution enveloping the family.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to deepen the tension lurking beneath the surface of what should be a joyful celebration. With the guest list carefully scrutinized and security measures heightened, there’s an unmistakable undercurrent of unease that hints at potential disruptions. Axel’s sharp focus on preventing uninvited guests suggests that not everyone attending the party will have pure intentions, setting the stage for unexpected confrontations or secrets to unravel.
Meanwhile, Evelyn’s meticulous preparations and her protective instincts toward Oliver reveal a family striving to maintain control and normalcy amid unseen threats. As the birthday lunch unfolds, emotions may run high, and rtionships could be tested, especially with the mysterious mention of Ethan’s possible arrival. This subtle hint raises questions about past connections and unresolved tensions that may soon resurface, drawing readers into a web of intrigue and emotionalplexity.
Sara Lili
<strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.