After a moment, Evelyn’s eyes adjusted to the light.
She saw the collar of Alexander’s shirt.
She looked up, higher and higher, until her gaze met his.
A smile spread across Evelyn’s face. It was shy, with a hint of childish pride.
“You look beautiful today,” Alexander said sincerely.
“My sister said the same thing!” Evelyn couldn’t help boasting.
Alexander smiled.
He reached out, his hand gently cupping the back of her neck. He massaged the tense muscles there.
“Is it uncomfortable?” he asked.
Evelyn flinched at first. Then she heard his question and answered awkwardly, “This phoenix crown is a bit heavy. It’s not tall, so it makes me look even shorter!”
She pouted as she spoke.
Alexander chuckled. “Go take it off. You don’t have to wear it anymore.”
“Can I really take it off now?”
He nodded.
“Great!” Evelyn replied cheerfully.
She spun around and headed for the stairs.
The very next second, her foot caught on the hem of her dress.
She stumbled, falling sideways.
Alexander’s hand shot out, lightning fast, catching her.
But then, whether it was because Evelyn’s headpiece was too heavy or Alexander lost his balance, they both tumbled to the ground.
Alexander landed on top of her, shielding her body.
Evelyn felt a flash of stars before her eyes. Her chest was tight. She almost fainted.
One thought crossed her mind: she must be the most pathetic bride ever!
Just as Alexander was about to get up, a burst of laughter rang out first.
He got up as if nothing had happened and pulled Evelyn to her feet.
Evelyn quickly straightened her phoenix crown and glared angrily at Ethan.
Ethan couldn’t help muttering, “What’s so funny? You heartless guy!”
Ethan was pinned by Evelyn’s glare. He said innocently, “Grandma sent me to call Uncle to the main hall.”
“You go rest first. Lily will bring you something to eat later. Eat first,” Alexander explained.
Evelyn nodded. She didn’t have the courage to look at Alexander.
Alexander walked out of the living room, following Ethan to the main hall.
Evelyn heard Ethan say to Alexander, “Uncle, isn’t the wedding chamber supposed to be at night?”
Evelyn didn’t catch what Alexander said in reply, but seeing Ethan’s expression, she couldn’t help but laugh.
The next second, she caught Ethan’s gaze as he looked back at her.
She glared at him fiercely again, then turned and walked toward the stairs.
This time, she carefully lifted her dress.
After going upstairs and entering the new house, Evelyn was ready to remove her makeup and change clothes.
She sat in front of the dressing table and took off the phoenix crown first.
She placed it carefully on the dresser. She couldn’t help wondering how much a crown like this was worth.
If she and Alexander divorced in the future, would this be her private property? Could she take it with her?
Evelyn’s wild thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Come in!” Evelyn turned and answered.
The door opened. Lily stood at the door with a tray. “Young lady, please eat something first.”
“Young lady, just a moment. I’ll put the things down.”
With Lily’s help, Evelyn took off her headdress, changed out of her Han-style wedding dress, and removed her makeup.
Finally, she could eat something comfortable.
She hadn’t eaten anything all morning except for a few symbolic bites. Now she was starving.
“Young lady, you eat first. I’ll be downstairs. If you need anything, just call me.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“You’re welcome, young lady,” Lily replied.
Lily went downstairs, and Evelyn began to eat.
She was really hungry. If someone asked her what she remembered most about her wedding day, she would say she was hungry!
And also—
She had just knocked Alexander down!
Well, she had pulled him down.
What was even more embarrassing was that Ethan had seen it. That guy had a big mouth. She didn’t know if he would spread the news, making the whole Sterling family know!
After eating, Alexander still hadn’t returned.
She had to go to the hotel at four o’clock. The wedding banquet would be held there.
Evelyn wondered if she could take a nap in the meantime. But she was worried something might come up.
When Lily came upstairs to clear the dishes, she told Evelyn she could rest first and that she would wake her up later.
“What happens next?” Evelyn asked.
“At four o’clock, you and the fourth young master will go to the hotel together. You can rest until then,” Lily explained.
“Oh, okay. Wake me up at three-thirty. I’ll close my eyes for a while,” Evelyn said with a sigh of relief.
She hadn’t slept well last night. On top of that, she had woken up early and been so busy. She still had to attend the wedding banquet tonight. She was really tired.
She didn’t know if she could sleep in the new bed now.
In the end, Evelyn went into Alexander’s original bedroom to rest.
Almost as soon as she touched the bed, she fell asleep.
Alexander came back from the main hall. “Fourth young master—” Lily stood up to greet him.
“Mm. Where’s Evelyn?”
“The young lady is resting. Should I wake her up?”
“No. There’s nothing urgent here. You can rest too,” Alexander said, walking toward the stairs.
Lily acknowledged him. She watched Alexander go upstairs, then left the Sterling Manor, closing the door behind her.
After Alexander went upstairs, he didn’t see Evelyn in the new house.
His first thought was that she must have fallen out of bed again!
He walked around to the other side. Still no Evelyn.
He was a little puzzled.
He left the bedroom, about to ask Lily where Evelyn was resting. Then he remembered he had just told Lily to go rest.
Finally, in the original bedroom, he saw Evelyn curled up in a ball, sleeping soundly.
Alexander didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
When he sat down by the bed, he heard Evelyn murmur, “Mom, let me sleep a little longer. Just a little longer.”
“Sleep,” Alexander answered.
Evelyn was sleeping deeply. The next second, her eyes flew open.
What she had just heard was Alexander’s voice!
She saw Alexander’s bedroom. She thought it must be a dream, so she closed her eyes and continued sleeping.
Until she heard movement coming from the bathroom.
She opened her eyes again.
She saw a man, with only a bath towel wrapped around him, walk out of the bathroom.
Evelyn was startled. She sat up and pulled the quilt tightly around herself.
After his bath, Alexander went into the dressing room. He found that his clothes had been arranged in the new dressing room.
He had to walk out of the bathroom with only a towel on. Then he heard Evelyn’s startled cry.
He looked up and saw Evelyn sitting at the head of the bed, her face a picture of despair.
Alexander couldn’t help but laugh. “Did you have a nightmare?”
Evelyn snapped back to reality. She shook her head awkwardly. “What time is it?”
“Ten past three.”
“Oh,” Evelyn muttered.
“Sleep. I’ll wake you up later,” Alexander said, walking toward the door.
“You… are you going to go out like that?” Evelyn asked.
Alexander looked back at her. He deliberately teased her. “Is there a problem?”
“No… It’s just not appropriate!” Evelyn stammered.