The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover - Chapter 158
Chapter 158: The Guest List
October 20, Oliver’s birthday party.
Since early morning, long before breakfast, Evelyn had been a blur of motion around the house.
The back hall buzzed with activity as florists arranged bouquets and staff hung the last of the garlands for Oliver’s birthday lunch.
The theme she had chosen, Horses and Ponies, was perfectly fitting for her son’s current obsession. The scent of hay and freshly cut grass from the stables mingled faintly with the sweet smell of frosting drifting from the kitchen.
But Evelyn was not one to leave things entirely in the hands of others.
Even though Axel had asked her repeatedly to let Jimmy, their reliable butler, handle everything, Evelyn insisted on double-checking every detail herself.
She moved briskly between the back hall and the main kitchen, her tablet in hand, occasionally stopping to make notes.
The chef, Danny, and a few staff were busy at a row of stainless steel counters.
She gracefully approached Danny.
“Good morning, ma’am, sir…” Danny greeted Evelyn and Axel with a polite
Axel nods slightly.
Evelyn smiled.
“Morning. Oh, right, Danny, the cake table should be set near the terrace, not beside the buffet. The light there is perfect for photos,” she said, her tone polite but decisive.
Danny nodded quickly, clearly used to her style. “Understood, Madam.”
Axel stood a few paces behind her, watching with quiet amusement.
His wife was unstoppable when she got into event mode. She looks precise, charming, and terrifying all at once.
After waiting several minutes and realizing Evelyn had no intention of leaving the poor chef alone, Axel finally stepped forward.
“Eve,” He called gently, “let Danny work. If you keep distracting him, we might miss lunch entirely. At this rate, we’ll be celebrating with dinner.”
Evelyn turned her head sharply, frowning for a moment before her lips curved into a reluctant smile.
“Alright, alright. I’m done.” She gave Danny a reassuring pat on the arm. “Carry on, Chef.”
Axel smirked, clearly pleased with himself. But before he could get another word in, Evelyn was already moving again, giving orders to the decorators.
Then she turned back to him, “You don’t have to follow me everywhere, Axel. Make yourself useful…please?”
She smiled when she saw he was about to protest. Hurriedly, she added, “Can you check if the guards have the guest list? I don’t want the wrong person walking in.”
It would be regrettable if her father ended up following Alicia and Stella here.
“Ah, you’re right. The list is already—”
“I’ve given it to Liam,” she interrupted swiftly. “Just recheck it.”
Axel held her hand, pulling her closer till their hips touched, then whispered, “Don’t tire yourself, huh? I will be worried.”
She nods slightly, “Hmm… I’m finished here, but I need to check on the birthday boy upstairs.”
“Oh, don’t wake him. He stayed up very late last night.”
“I know. You’re the one who insists on waking him up,” she chuckled softly. Her thoughts drift back to last night, remembering how they surprised their sleepy son into blowing out the candle.
Evelyn flashed him a quick smile and hurried toward the stairs.
Watching her go, Axel could only shake his head before he called Liam.
…
Before long,
Axel was seated on the sofa in his home office, the morning sunlight filtering through the tall windows behind him.
A neatly printed paper rested in his hands, the guest list his wife had prepared so carefully.
Liam sat across from him, silent and alert, waiting for orders.
Axel’s eyes scanned each line, pausing only when a familiar name caught his attention. His brows drew together slightly.
“Well,” he murmured, leaning back against the sofa, “this is… interesting.”
Liam tilted his head. “Is that all, Madam Evelyn’s close friends and family, sir?”
Axel nodded once, still looking at the page. “It is.”
He tapped a finger thoughtfully against the paper before setting it down on the coffee table.
The faintest trace of a smile tugged at his mouth, the kind that appeared whenever something caught him off guard, but in a way that amused rather than annoyed him.
“Interesting,” he repeated under his breath, more to himself than to Liam.
“Should I ask what’s interesting about it?” Liam asked carefully.
He didn’t answer his question; instead, he instructed, “Just ensure the guards at the front gate don’t mistakenly let anyone onto my property.”
“Yes, sir.” Liam nods quickly. “How about your guest?”
Axel didn’t answer right away. He looked lost in thought for a few seconds, rubbing his temple as if he was trying to piece something together.
Finally, he exhaled softly. “You know my circle, Liam. It’s a short list. Apart from my grandparents, there’s Jack and Collins… and apparently, Ethan might come.”
Liam’s eyes widened slightly. “Ethan, sir? Are you sure?”
Axel’s tone was casual, but his gaze was sharp. “That’s what I said.”
Liam frowned, clearly puzzled. “He hasn’t visited the city in years. And he’s never been seen with you publicly. Why now?”
Axel’s expression didn’t change. He didn’t respond.
For a brief moment, silence stretched between them.
The clock ticked steadily in the corner, and somewhere outside, the faint chatter of staff preparing for the party drifted through the open window.
Finally, Axel sat forward, his hands clasped loosely together.
His voice was calm, but there was a sternness to it that made Liam reflexively straighten slightly in his seat.
“Alright, make sure no one enters the property without clearance,” he said. “Not one unfamiliar face. I don’t care if they claim to be guests or delivery staff. I want every entry point checked and double-checked.”
Liam nodded immediately. “Understood, sir.”
Axel continued, his expression unreadable.
“We’ve had uninvited guests before. I don’t want it to happen again, especially today. If someone tries to break in, I want to know before they take their second step past the gate.”
“Yes, sir,” Liam said firmly.
As Liam turned to leave, Axel added in a quieter tone, “Tighten security. Double the patrol at the back perimeter. And tell Jimmy to keep the dogs near the stables. My wife and son will be out there later.”
“Yes, sir.”