Chapter 424

Evelyn gently ruffled Oliver Sinclair's hair. She couldn't resist this adorable boy - he had completely stolen her heart.

"Alright then." Nathan Blackwood's expression darkened instantly. His voice turned icy. "Does Preston Sinclair even know you sneaked out alone?"

Oliver shrank into Evelyn's embrace, guilt written all over his cherubic face.

"This grumpy old man! Even when he's sick, he's still so annoying!" Nathan smirked triumphantly as he pulled out his phone to call Preston.

"Your son sneaked out and is currently with me and Evelyn." Nathan's tone clearly implied he wanted Preston to come collect his troublesome child immediately.

Nathan deliberately put the call on speakerphone so Oliver could hear Preston's response. The Wall Street tycoon's voice came through cold and indifferent. "Is that so? Then please take good care of him for me. I'm in an important meeting. We'll talk later." Click - the line went dead.

All three froze momentarily. Oliver was the first to recover, wrapping his tiny arms around Evelyn's neck in a joyful hug. "Yay! I get to stay with my Muse!" Nathan's face flushed with frustration as he stared at his now-dark phone screen, feeling his blood pressure rise.

"After finally getting this date with Evelyn, now I have to babysit Preston Sinclair's kid? Unbelievable!" The group of four - including Marcus - headed to the exclusive restaurant where Theodore "Teddy" Winslow had made reservations weeks in advance.

The ambiance was perfection - intimate lighting casting romantic shadows, designed to kindle passion. Teddy had even prepared conversation starters for Nathan.

They were supposed to reminisce about shared memories and dream about future possibilities together.

The entire floor had been reserved for privacy. Soothing classical music filled the air while twinkling lights created an illusion of dining among the stars - a breathtakingly romantic setting.

Everything would have been perfect... if not for their tiny third wheel. Marcus sat discreetly at a nearby table while Oliver clung to Evelyn's hand, stubbornly planting himself between the two adults.

The boy eyed the elaborate floral centerpiece and candle arrangement with visible disapproval. Nathan reached forward with a carefully prepared bouquet of rare blue orchids imported from Bali - nearly impossible to obtain.

His gaze softened as he tried to ignore their unwelcome companion. "These are for you," he murmured in that deep, mesmerizing voice.

"Mr. Grumpy actually brought a gift?" Before Evelyn could accept, Oliver suddenly stood up with a dramatic huff. "Muse only likes big white roses! But thanks anyway, Mr. Blackwood."

Nathan's jaw tightened as he withdrew the flowers, shooting daggers at the smug child. Oliver's satisfaction only grew as his eyes crinkled into happy crescents.

Fumbling in his pocket, the boy declared, "Muse, I didn't have time to buy flowers, but I grabbed these shiny rocks from Daddy's safe for you!"

With great ceremony, he emptied his chubby palm onto the table. Evelyn gasped. Oliver had brought a handful of uncut diamonds - each one large enough to be staggeringly valuable!

Even in the dim lighting, the stones refracted dazzling rainbows across the starry ceiling. They seemed to glow with an ethereal inner light.

Oliver rubbed his hands together excitedly, beaming up at Evelyn. "I've got tons more! Do you like them? All girls love sparkly things, right?"