Gregory's POV
Gregory lingered near the marble staircase, watching the crowd swirl around him. His presence,even in retirement, carried weight. People approached him with bright smiles, shook his hand, exchanged pleasantries, then drifted off to chase others with deeper pockets.
But he wasn't even paying much attention to them, his attention was elsewhere.
The beautiful young woman he had noticed earlier was now a few feet away from him. Balancing a tray of glasses with practiced ease. She offered one to a guest close by, bowed her head politely, then continued her quiet path. There was no performance, no pretense. Just humility and dignity.
On impulse, Gregory stepped forward for a glass.
"Thank you", he said as she offered him a glass of wine. Her eyes flicked up to him,polite but steady.
"Youre welcome, sir". Her voice was soft but firm, carrying a sweetness that's different from the desperate ones he was used to. She gave him a small nod, then moved on with her duty, as though she had no idea who he was, she just or didn't care.
Gregory watched her disappear into the crowd, a crease forming between his brows. The women in the hall were all polished and painted like ornaments. But this one? She was different. She was unshaken, unbothered and unpretentious.
He lifted the glass slowly, taking a sip. For the first time in years, he felt certain of something.
The girl carried the kind of humility that money couldn't afford. Money couldn't buy this.
He set the glass down, eyes narrowing with quiet satisfaction. His son would resist. Damian had made it his life's mission to wall himself off feelings. But Gregory knew bloodlines, and he knew women. And he could tell when someone was different. And she was different, not the kind of woman he was used to.
And this Evelyn?
Yes, he had paid so much attention to her, that he had heard her whisper the name to another volunteer. Evelyn had potential.
Gregory straightened his back, the faintest smirk crossing his lips. "Damian may not see it yet", he murmured softly, "but I do".
Evelyn's POV
Evelyn had been standing and rearranging the artworks that didn't need any arrangements. And the event was already boring to her.
"This is all Carmen's idea", she muttered softly.
She looked around and saw other volunteers doing other things. Hurriedly, she left the stand and grabbed a tray of wine to distribute to the guests.
"This should be fun", she thought happily.
She offered a glass to a guest and bowed politely, and the man that was staring at her earlier appeared in front of her. Looking at him closely, she noticed he's a really elderly man.
She handed him a glass of wine and surprisingly, he said "Thank you".
Evelyn answered "You're welcome, sir". With a soft but firm voice. Then she gave him a small nod and went on with her duty.
She gave out all the drinks in her tray and went back to get more.
Gregory's POV
Gregory did not move from his spot. His eyes tracked Evelyn as she disappeared into the service hall to fetch another tray. He chuckled under his breath, earning a curious glance from an old associate beside him.
"You seem entertained tonight," the man remarked.
Gregory only smiled faintly. Entertained? No. Intrigued? Yes.
Minutes later, Evelyn reappeared with another tray, balancing it effortlessly. Gregory stepped forward again, but instead of reaching for a glass this time, he caught her arm lightly as she passed.
"Careful," he said, nodding toward a group of careless men laughing too loudly near her path. "They'll trip you if you're not watchful."
Evelyn blinked, surprised by the warning. "Thank you, sir," she said softly, then gave another small nod before slipping away again.
Gregory watched her go, his mind sharpening. Humility, poise, and not a trace of greed in her eyes. In a world where everyone had a price, she was either too young to know hers—or she was the rare kind who didn't have one.
He smirked to himself, folding his hands behind his back. Yes, Damian will resist. He always does. But resistance never lasts forever.
Evelyn steadied the tray against her palm as she walked away, her heart beating a little faster than it should have. Not because of fear, but because she wasn't used to wealthy guests noticing her like that—let alone speaking with kindness.