Chapter 371

Evelyn's eyes widened in surprise, then sparkled with delight.

It was her absolute favorite patisserie! "Thank you, Oliver. Take care!" Little Oliver waved enthusiastically with both hands.

"Goodbye, Muse!" Leo trotted over, his mechanical tail wagging excitedly.

"Bye, Oliver!" Inside the luxury car, Oliver tilted his head proudly. "Muse is really beautiful, isn't she?" The nanny couldn't help but agree.

"Absolutely stunning! More beautiful than all those women trying to get close to your father. You should be worried!" Oliver blinked his sapphire eyes and nodded solemnly.

"Yes, I must stay vigilant!" The bearded bodyguard sat sulking in the front seat. "I thought I was supposed to go. I didn't even get to see her properly."

The nanny rolled her eyes. "You'd frighten Muse with that scary face of yours!" Oliver nodded in agreement.

"Exactly!" The burly bodyguard shrank further into his seat, looking utterly dejected.

Oliver's delicate features scrunched in thought. "We can't keep giving the same gifts. We need something special for next time!" The bodyguard flipped through his newly purchased 'Romance for Beginners' and muttered, "I thought those presents were perfect..."

Back at The Grandeur, Oliver struggled to climb onto the massive bed when Preston scooped him up. "I heard you didn't submit your English assignment?" Preston's voice held its usual icy edge.

Oliver huffed and clung to his father's legs, burying his face in the tailored trousers. "Daddy, I'm busy courting my Muse!"

"How exactly are you courting her?" Preston arched an eyebrow as Oliver proudly listed all his gifts for Evelyn.

When Preston heard about the white chrysanthemums and chunky gold bracelet, an amused smirk played on his lips. His earlier anger completely dissipated.

"Best of luck then." Preston ruffled Oliver's hair affectionately. If Evelyn hadn't thrown Oliver out after those gifts, she truly had the patience of a saint.

As Preston turned to leave, Oliver piped up, "Daddy, can I invite Muse to your business dinner?"

"Dinner?" Preston frowned momentarily before realizing Oliver meant his exclusive executive gathering. The invitation list contained no more than five names - all strictly confidential.

"If you wish." Preston's tone remained indifferent. Normally he would never permit such a breach of protocol, but this was the woman from three years ago. That changed everything.

Preston's current project had global investors holding their breath. The venture demanded unprecedented resources and connections, making discretion paramount. Even his movements were classified information.

In Montecito's cutthroat business arena, Nathan Blackwood stood among the elite. Yet Preston considered him merely one of many potential partners.

Stirling Worldwide matched Blackwood Enterprises in capability, but Preston dismissed them outright. His butler's persistent recommendations had crossed professional boundaries - something Preston wouldn't tolerate regardless of their decade-long association.

For days, Preston Sinclair deliberately ignored all overtures from Stirling Worldwide.

Evelyn found Nathan's repeated dinner invitations increasingly irritating. She had no desire to attend Preston's exclusive gathering as Nathan's plus-one.

Yet Nathan persisted, claiming he wanted fair competition with Stirling Worldwide. "Ridiculous!" Evelyn muttered. "How can I compete when I can't even secure an invitation?"