The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover - Chapter 180

Chapter 180: Charity Dinner
The next morning.

Evelyn had just finished breakfast with Axel when their conversation turned to the upcoming charity dinner.

“Are you excited about the charity dinner?”

Axel stood by the full-length mirror in their bedroom, straightening his collar.

Evelyn silently sighs. She clearly is not thrilled about it.

“Why do you seem reluctant?” He asked.

She didn’t answer him right away; instead, she stood in front of him, gently took the tie from his hand, looped it around his neck, and started to knot it.

“I really don’t see why I have to attend. I could just help Joseph from behind the scenes. Right?”

Axel lowered his gaze and looked at her calmly.

“Eve, the Walters Group can’t afford to have its major shareholder hiding behind the curtain anymore. People need to see you. They need to see that the heiress of the Walters name still stands strong.”

She sighed, focused again, and straightened his tie.

“You and Joseph sound very similar. I don’t enjoy being in the spotlight. Whenever I appear, people discuss. You know, they still talk about me and Liam… Even if it’s just in a small online forum…”

Axel’s lips curved faintly.

“Let them talk. Just give them something good to talk about this time.”

Evelyn didn’t answer. She knew he was right. After all the scandals, the public had begun to doubt the Walters Group’s stability. Showing up at a major charity event, representing her family’s company, was one way to repair its image.

“My driver will take you to the World Trade Center,” Axel continued, glancing at her reflection in the mirror. “You can meet Joseph there.”

Her hands paused mid-tie. “Your driver?”

He nodded, meeting her gaze with calm eyes.

She frowned, her suspicion immediately rising. “Why not Liam?”

Axel hesitated for half a second, barely noticeable, but Evelyn caught it. Her eyes narrowed as she tugged the tie sharply, making him bend forward until their faces were almost level.

He smirked at her reaction, secretly enjoying her assertiveness. “He’s on sick leave,” he said smoothly.

Evelyn’s brow arched. “Sick leave?”

“Yes.”

“Did you beat him? That’s why he’s sick?”

A deep chuckle escaped his chest. He slid one hand around her waist, pulling her closer. “You make it sound like I’m a bad boss.”

“Axel Knight,” she said sternly, “did you punish him?”

He only grinned, trying to charm his way out of trouble. “Eve, if you keep frowning like that, you’ll get wrinkles. Do you want that?”

“Can you not change the subject?”

He brushed a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, voice lowering playfully. “You worry too much, my wife…”

“Axel, please don’t blame him, huh!? I feel sorry for him…”

Axel finally sighed, realizing she wasn’t going to let him off so easily.

“Alright,” he said, tone softening. “Liam isn’t actually sick. But he can’t drive you anymore.”

“Why not?”

“Because everyone already knows his face,” Axel replied. “If he appears beside you again, the media will connect the dots. The netizens are too sharp…”

Axel paused for a smile when he saw her gasp, as if she were realizing something.

“Those keen-eyed netizens will recognize him as the same man in that photo, and soon they’ll start wondering why your bodyguard looks just like mine. Before long, they’ll connect him to me, and it will become clear that you are my secret wife.”

Evelyn blinked.

“So… this is to protect me?”

He pulls her even closer and responds with a playful smile, “Hmm… and to avoid any more silly rumors. If those people keep shipping you with Liam, I might just toss him into the Pacific Ocean to feed the sharks!”

Evelyn exhaled, shoulders relaxing. “I’m sorry… I didn’t think that far. I just feel bad for Liam. He already tried his best to protect me, but in the end, someone managed to take my picture.”

Axel smiled.

“Don’t feel bad… I didn’t blame him. I asked him to stay in the office for a while because someone might poach him and ask him to become a model or movie star.”

She can’t help but laugh at his words. “Why have you become funny lately?”

He laughed, leaning closer. “I don’t know. You change me a lot, Eve…”

“Axel—”

Before she could finish, his lips brushed hers, stealing a brief but tender kiss.

It was swift, warm, and made her heart race. When he pulled away, she was slightly blushing.

They spent the next few minutes discussing her preparations for the event.

Axel had already thoughtfully arranged for a stylist and makeup artist to assist her in getting ready.

Evelyn initially refused, insisting she could manage on her own.

Still, he reminded her that this was not an ordinary dinner; it was a publicized charity gala that would be broadcast on television and the internet.

The image she presented tonight would represent the Walters Group as a whole.

“People will be watching,” Axel said as he buttoned his suit jacket. “You don’t just have to look confident. You have to make them believe you are flawlessly confident.”

Evelyn sighed, finally nodding. “Fine. But if the stylist starts curling my hair, I’m blaming you.”

Axel smiled. “Deal. I’ll take full responsibility.”

“Good. You always should.”

Their laughter filled the room. Evelyn stepped closer, adjusting the collar of his shirt one last time. “When will you be back?”

“I have to fly to Nevalis for a meeting,” he said, glancing at his watch. “But I’ll be home tonight before you get back from the charity event.”

“Alright. Don’t overwork yourself.”

“I’ll try,” he replied, leaning down to kiss her cheek gently. “But you know how business is.”

Before leaving, Axel went to the back garden, where Oliver was just coming in from feeding his pony and horse.

The little boy’s cheeks were rosy from the morning air.

“Daddy, are you leaving?”

“Yes,” Axel said, crouching down to ruffle his hair. “Be good for Mommy, alright?”

“Okay. But please come back before I go to sleep, Dad. You need to read a book for me.”

Axel chuckled. “I’ll try my best.”

He hugged his son, kissed Evelyn one more time, then headed to the waiting car.

Evelyn watched as it disappeared down the long driveway.

Then, her cell phone buzzed in her pocket. Thinking it was her stylist confirming the afternoon appointment.

But the number on the screen froze her. She recognized the number, even though she hadn’t saved his number.

William Walters.

A chill crept down her spine. She hesitated for a few seconds before opening the message.

“How dare you sue Lana!”