Seeing his usually calm grandson so surprised, Lucas smiled and said, “Remember I promised to help you with the marriage thing? Skylar saved your life back then, and I raised her. She’s the perfect wife for you.”
In the past, the Evans family marriages were mostly about forming alliances. However, Lucas had his doubts. He worried that people from other families might have bad intentions and didn’t want to risk the future of the Evans Group with them.
The Evans Group was thriving, and there was no need to marry into another family. Skylar had a clean background, and he had raised her like an adopted daughter.
His friend had saved his life on the battlefield, and now his daughter had saved Dave. Lucas believed this was fate.
Over the years, he sent Skylar abroad to prepare her for marriage to Dave and help her prepare to lead the Evans family with him.
In terms of manners, education, and refinement, Skylar surpassed all the rich ladies of Edenfield.
Lucas thought marrying Skylar to Dave was the best way to ensure the Evans Group’s future under his leadership.
Dave frowned and replied coldly, “Grandpa, I’m not planning to marry right now.”
Skylar pressed her lips together, sensing Dave’s reluctance. A shadow of disappointment crossed her eyes.
When Lucas heard Dave’s words, he frowned and asked, “Dave, it’s been years since you had a girlfriend. Weren’t you waiting for Skylar? I remember how hard it was for you when she left.”
Skylar had saved Dave’s life and was a good friend, but he never thought about marrying her.
Lucas’s influence kept him from dating anyone else, and he worried they might disappear like others who had come close to him.
Dave replied coldly, “Grandpa, you’re thinking too much about this matter. Skylar and I are just friends. I’m focused on the company; there’s no time for anything else.”
“You’re almost thirty! How can I trust you to run the Evans Group if you’re not married? Do you plan to stay single forever?” Lucas’s frustration grew.
Dave narrowed his eyes, holding back his feelings. He said firmly, “Grandpa, I’m open to your advice on everything else, but marrying a friend I haven’t seen in years isn’t realistic. I’m sorry, but I can’t do it.”
“You… you…” Lucas stuttered in anger.
This was the first time Dave had stood his ground. Just as Lucas looked like he might lose his temper, Skylar stepped in. “Mr. Evans, he’s right. We haven’t seen each other in years. Rushing into marriage is too much for both of us. It makes sense that he needs time.”
Her words calmed Lucas quickly. He looked at Skylar with a broad smile and admitted, “You’re right. You just got back. It’s important for you two to build a strong relationship first. I acted too quickly.”
Skylar nodded gracefully, a peaceful smile on her face.
Lucas really liked Skylar.
“But you need to marry soon so I can feel at ease,” Lucas insisted, patting Skylar’s hand before turning a stern look at Dave. “Get to know her better; she’s exceptional, and you’ll grow to like her.”
“Grandpa, does it really matter if I like her or not? Have you ever thought about my feelings or what I want?”
“What did you say?” Lucas slammed his hand on the table, asserting his authority.
Dave had refused him several times today, and it made Lucas quite unhappy.
Lucas had carefully planned Dave’s marriage for years, believing Skylar was the perfect match for him-smart, beautiful, and kind. How could Dave not appreciate his efforts?
On top of that, Dave had embarrassed him several times in front of Skylar, which made Lucas even angrier.
He was on the edge of losing his temper.
“Mr. Evans, maybe he’s just tired today, and that’s why he’s in a bad mood. I’ll talk to him later. I’ve been on a plane for over ten hours, and I’m really hungry.” Holding Lucas’s arm, Skylar managed to calm him with her words.
Lucas’s expression brightened immediately. “Oh, it’s my fault. Waiters, bring in the food!”
Dave looked up and met Skylar’s eyes, and she smiled warmly back at him.
****
Blake had arranged a dinner in a private room, inviting several key figures from the entertainment industry who had connections to Everleigh from about twenty years ago. His goal was to explore the past and gather information.
“Everleigh was an incredible talent in music, but in the end… what a tragedy!”
At the mention of Everleigh, everyone nodded in regret.
Blake, with a sympathetic expression, poured wine for them. As they talked about Everleigh, he added casually, “I saw an online article that mentioned she took her own life because of heartbreak. I can’t say for sure if that’s true, though.”
“I’ve heard that rumor too.” One of the industry figures, slightly tipsy and with a flushed face, struggled to speak. “It’s unfounded. But I have inside info. Everleigh was rumored to be the mistress of a wealthy man and had supposedly given birth to his child!”
Blake’s hand trembled a bit as he poured the wine.
“Really?” Another guest asked, intrigued.
“It’s just gossip, but you know how it is in the entertainment industry-rumors like that often have some truth. Remember how Everleigh was out of the spotlight before her tragic death? They said she went abroad for studies and was gone for five months. But less than a year after she returned, she took her life.”
“So, those studies might have been a cover for secretly having a baby? But if she did have a baby, where is the child?”
“I’m not sure about that,” the big shot replied.
Curious, someone asked, “Which wealthy man are you talking about?”
“People think it could be someone from one of the four influential families, but we might never know which one.”
After Blake poured wine for the guests, he fell into deep thought.
One of the four influential families! If Everleigh’s child had the father’s surname, it would make the most sense that the wealthy man was from the Lawson family.
The coincidence of sharing a surname with one of the four prominent families was too strange.
‘What was the real story?’
Blake clenched his fists.
Meanwhile, at Lucas’s dinner, the atmosphere in the luxury private room was quiet, with only the sound of cutlery clinking.
In the Evans family, it was a tradition not to speak during meals-a core part of their family values.
During dinner, Skylar stayed quiet while Lucas watched her with satisfaction.
“Mr. Evans,” Skylar said, putting down her fork. “I need to use the restroom.”
“Of course,” Lucas replied kindly, giving Dave a meaningful look. “Skylar just got back and doesn’t know the place. Could you show her the way?”