Alexander's POV
Alexander had returned to the mansion earlier than usual that evening. The house was quiet, the kind of quiet that normally brought him a sense of control. Charles had already prepared the study, placing a few documents neatly across the large oak desk, and the lights of the room cast a calm golden glow across the polished floor. It had been a long day, filled with meetings, calls, and decisions that required the kind of focus he was known for. Normally, when he returned home, the house carried a different atmosphere whenever Evie was there. There was always some small sound, some movement in the halls, something that reminded him that the mansion was not entirely empty.
Tonight, however, the house had been silent.
He had just begun reviewing a file when his phone rang. The name on the screen immediately caught his attention.
Evie.
That alone was unusual enough to make him pause. Evie rarely called him unless something important had happened. For a brief moment, he considered letting it ring and calling her back later. But something about the timing made him answer immediately.
The moment he heard her voice, he knew something was wrong.
She was speaking loudly, slurring slightly, and the background noise behind her was chaotic—music, shouting, laughter, glasses clinking. It didn't take him long to understand what had happened.
She was drunk.
Alexander had heard many things in his life, but hearing Evie casually tell him that he was "very very hot" while someone laughed hysterically in the background was not one of the situations he had ever imagined experiencing.
The moment the call ended, he remained still for a few seconds, staring at the phone in his hand.
Then he exhaled slowly.
"Charles," he called calmly.
The butler appeared in the doorway almost immediately, as if he had already been waiting nearby.
"Yes, sir?"
Alexander held out the phone.
"Track the last incoming call."
Charles took the phone carefully and glanced at the screen. It only took him a moment to understand the situation.
"Miss Evie?" he asked politely.
Alexander nodded once.
"She's at a bar," he said simply.
Charles walked to the desk and connected the phone to a small device used for tracing signal locations. His movements were calm and efficient, the result of years of experience handling unexpected situations.
Within a minute, the location appeared on the small screen.
Charles looked at it, then looked up.
"It appears to be the Orion Club, sir."
Alexander already knew the place.
It was one of the busiest nightlife spots in the city—loud, crowded, and filled with people who rarely paid attention to anything beyond their own entertainment.
Not exactly the kind of environment Evie normally visited.
He stood up, adjusting the sleeves of his coat.
"I'll bring her home."
Charles handed the phone back.
"Of course, sir."
Alexander paused for a moment before leaving the room.
"And Charles," he added calmly.
"Yes, sir?"
"Prepare something for a hangover."
Charles allowed himself a small, polite smile.
"Already done."
Alexander left the mansion a moment later.
The drive across the city was fast. The streets were still busy with late-night traffic, neon lights reflecting across the windshield as the car moved through downtown.
Alexander's expression remained calm, but his thoughts were anything but.
Evie drunk.
At a club.
Confessing strange things over the phone.
And Angela encouraging the entire situation.
It was almost unbelievable.
By the time he arrived outside the Orion Club, the noise from inside the building was already echoing into the street. Music pounded through the walls, and a long line of people waited outside near the entrance.
Alexander ignored them entirely and walked straight to the door.
The bouncer stepped forward immediately.
"Hey—"
He stopped mid-sentence the moment he recognized Alexander.
"Mr. Quinn."
Alexander gave a brief nod.
"I'm looking for someone."
The man stepped aside instantly.
"Of course."
Inside, the atmosphere was overwhelming. The music was loud enough to make the floor vibrate beneath his feet, and flashing lights swept across the crowded dance floor.
People were dancing everywhere, shouting to be heard over the bass. The air smelled like alcohol, perfume, and smoke.
Alexander moved through the crowd with quiet precision, scanning the room carefully.
It didn't take long before he spotted Angela first.
She was leaning against the bar, laughing at something someone nearby had said.
And next to her…
Evie.
She was sitting on a bar stool, completely still.
Too still.
Her arms rested loosely on the counter, and her head leaned slightly forward as if she had simply frozen in place.
Alexander walked toward them.
Angela noticed him first.
Her eyes widened.
"Oh."
She straightened immediately.
"Well… that was fast."
Alexander stopped beside them and looked at Evie.
She didn't react.
Her eyes were open, but unfocused, and she seemed strangely calm for someone who had been shouting into the phone not long ago.
Angela raised her hands defensively.
"In my defense," she said quickly, "she was having fun."
Alexander glanced at her briefly.
"She called me."
Angela winced.
"…Right."
Alexander turned his attention back to Evie.
"Evie."
No response.
Angela leaned closer and waved a hand in front of Evie's face.
"She reached the peaceful drunk stage," Angela explained.
Alexander sighed quietly.
"Evie," he repeated.
This time she blinked slowly.
Her gaze shifted upward.
It took a moment for her eyes to focus properly.
Then she smiled.
"Alex."
Angela slapped a hand over her mouth to stop herself from laughing.
Evie tilted her head slightly, staring at him like she had just discovered something fascinating.
"You came."
Alexander looked down at her calmly.
"Yes."
She nodded slowly, clearly satisfied with that answer.
"I told you to."
Angela whispered dramatically, "Oh my god."
Alexander ignored her.
He placed one hand lightly on Evie's shoulder.
"Can you stand?"
Evie considered the question very seriously.
"…Maybe."
Angela leaned against the bar again.
"Good luck with that."
Evie slowly slid off the stool.
For exactly two seconds, she remained upright.
Then she swayed.
Alexander caught her immediately before she could fall.
Angela whistled quietly.
"Well," she said.
"Looks like your ride is here."
Evie rested against Alexander's chest, blinking up at him with a sleepy expression.
"You're still hot," she murmured.
Angela completely lost it and started laughing again.
Alexander closed his eyes briefly.
This was going to be a very long night.