Chapter 448

Marcus stood motionless like a statue carved from granite.

Theodore "Teddy" Winslow circled him impatiently, waving two melting ice cream cones.

"Just take one! Evelyn will be chatting for ages. Women always have endless things to discuss!"

Marcus didn't even blink.

Teddy dramatically took an exaggerated bite, letting the vanilla drip down his chin. "Mmm! Heavenly!"

Marcus shot him a withering glare before refocusing on the glass partition. Through the transparent barrier, he could see Evelyn Sinclair engaged in animated conversation with two men.

Teddy followed his gaze mid-chew.

The ice cream cones slipped from his trembling hands, splattering on the marble floor. "Holy mother of— Who are those men?!"

His face turned ashen.

"That's Preston Sinclair sitting beside Evelyn! Since when—" Teddy clutched his chest as if having a coronary. "This can't be happening!"

Marcus rolled his eyes at the mess.

Teddy staggered forward, pointing at the glass with a shaking finger. "How?! When did Mr. Sinclair arrive? And who's that distinguished gentleman with Evelyn? Two men appeared during my five-minute ice cream break? Nathan will have my head for this!"

The mere thought of Nathan Blackwood's reaction made Teddy's knees buckle. He turned pleading eyes to Marcus. "Tell me they just arrived."

Marcus snorted. "Preston was already inside when we got here."

"Before Evelyn?!" Teddy moaned, looking skyward. The gathering storm clouds mirrored his despair.

He'd assumed Preston and his son were still at the estate when they'd left that morning. This oversight shook Teddy to his core. For the first time, he doubted his matchmaking abilities.

"No, I must salvage this!" Teddy slapped his cheeks. "If I lose Nathan's patronage, I'm finished! Who else can reunite those two stubborn lovebirds? Only Theodore Winslow possesses the necessary finesse!"

Within seconds, Teddy transformed from despondent to determined. "I'll whisk Evelyn away before Nathan finds out! Operation Love Rescue commences now!"

Marcus watched Teddy's manic mood swings with detached amusement. Definitely needs psychiatric evaluation, he thought, moving to a different vantage point to monitor Evelyn.

Teddy straightened his tie and marched toward the library doors—until his phone buzzed with a message from "Goddess Evelyn":

[Wait outside. Do NOT enter.]

His shoulders slumped. Defeated, Teddy trudged back to a bench, pressing his nose against the glass like a forlorn puppy. "So cruel," he muttered.

Inside, Evelyn slipped her phone away with an enigmatic smile. Her attention returned to Sebastian Laurent, who was passionately explaining his latest quantum physics breakthrough.

She glimpsed traces of the brilliant young professor she'd once studied under.

After an hour of enthusiastic lecturing, Sebastian paused, throat dry. His audience of two had only offered occasional nods.

"Hmph! Such disengaged students!" He tapped the table pointedly. "I have research awaiting. Don't you have places to be?"

Evelyn and Preston rose in perfect synchronization. "Goodbye, Professor." No unnecessary pleasantries—just efficient exits.

Sebastian harrumphed. "Don't come back!"

Evelyn tossed a playful glance over her shoulder, eyes sparkling with mischief. "As you wish!"