Chapter 448

Alistair Prescott's gaze was like twin lasers, sweeping over Evelyn from head to toe with icy precision. His eyes held no warmth, only clear disapproval of her presence. When those cold eyes locked onto her, Evelyn felt an involuntary shudder race down her spine—but then she remembered.

He meant nothing to her.

Straightening her posture, she met his stare head-on, refusing to back down.

Alistair's brows twitched in surprise. Few dared to hold his gaze, let alone a woman who looked barely out of her twenties. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, a smooth voice cut through the tension.

"Mr. Prescott."

Alexander Kensington approached, his polished demeanor a stark contrast to the brewing storm. He stopped beside Evelyn, his presence immediately shifting the dynamic.

Alistair's expression flickered. "Alexander Kensington? I assumed you'd sent a representative. I didn't expect you to attend personally."

"Traffic was unfortunate," Alistair replied, his tone noticeably more civil than before.

Alexander smiled politely before glancing at the sullen teenager beside Alistair. "And this is?"

Alistair nudged the boy forward. "My son, Julian. Julian, this is the director of Celestia Group, Alexander Kensington."

Evelyn's breath caught.

Julian Prescott?

As in the Prescott family—one of the most influential dynasties in Garnet Springs?

Her mind reeled. The moody, woodcarving-obsessed boy she'd been casually bantering with was that Julian Prescott?

The world really was impossibly small.

Julian muttered a stiff, "Mr. Kensington," clearly uncomfortable with the formality.

Alistair's jaw tightened at his son's reluctance, but before he could reprimand him, Julian sidestepped his father’s reach.

Alistair's face darkened.

"Mr. Prescott," Evelyn interjected smoothly, mimicking Alexander's respectful tone. "I still have some unfinished matters with Julian. Would you mind if I borrowed him for a moment?"

Alistair frowned. "And you are?"

Alexander’s arm slid around Evelyn’s waist. "My fiancée," he said, the word deliberate.

For a heartbeat, silence.

Then—

"Fiancée?"

Both Alistair and Julian stared, stunned.