Chapter 66: How Could I Say No?
"Oscar, why are you calling me like I owe you something?"
"Check the internet! Everyone’s looking for you now." Oscar’s voice practically vibrated through the phone.
Evelyn’s grip tightened, her knuckles pale against her cell phone. Axel had already warned her about the headlines and promised to handle it, but hearing Oscar repeat it only stirred her nerves again.
"Why do you remind me of that again?" she muttered faintly.
"Ah, so he already told you?"
"Yeah. He did."
"Well then, do you want me to teach them a lesson? I could hack every tabloid’s website, make their servers cry for mercy. Or maybe I should freeze all of social media, just for fun, so the gossip vanishes overnight."
Evelyn couldn’t help it, but her laugh bubbled out, amused by his ridiculous offer.
Of course, she knew Oscar had the skills to pull it off. The man had always been too brilliant with computers and the internet for his own good. Still, the image of Oscar single-handedly silencing the internet made her shake her head.
"Not necessary, Oscar. Axel will take care of it. But as always, keep your eyes open. Please ensure that no one shares my recent photo, as well as Oliver’s. I can’t risk Oliver’s face being linked to this. And, can you also gather new information about the Walters Group?"
There was a pause on the other end, unusual for Oscar.
She pictured him blinking rapidly behind his glasses, his brain sprinting through calculations before he finally asked, "Alright, but... why mention the Walters Group out of the blue? Don’t tell me they’ve already sniffed out where you are?"
"No." Her voice dropped, serious now. "But before I return to the capital, I need to know about them. Their situation. Their plans."
Silence hangs in the air again, longer this time.
Then Oscar exhaled slowly.
"You never really cut ties with them, did you? Even after what they did, you still want to watch their every move."
Evelyn pressed her forehead against her hand, exhaustion pressing in.
"They may have thrown me away, Oscar, but I need to know their movement to stay away from them or if they found me and are planning to crush me again."
Oscar’s voice softened, surprisingly gentle.
"Eve, sometimes I think you’re tougher and more cunning than you realize. But fine, I’ll do it. I’ll keep watch. If William tries to do something to harm you or Oliver, you will know before he can make a move. You have my guarantee!"
Her lips curved in a small smile at his dramatics. "Thank you."
"Don’t thank me yet. You still owe me snacks and a full explanation of how Axel Knight ended up in your bed... I mean, in your apartment without telling your best friend."
Evelyn rolled her eyes, though warmth tugged at her chest.
...
While inside the apartment, Axel had just put the suitcases in the bedroom and was about to check on Oliver, but he suddenly peered through the door.
"Dad, where’s Mommy?"
"She is outside, on the phone," Axel answered smoothly.
Oliver responded with "Ahh..." and his expression turned gloomy.
"What happened, buddy? Do you need anything?" Axel asked as he walked with him into the living room, where Liam was still lounging in the seating area.
"I’m hungry..." Oliver announced, rubbing his little belly for emphasis.
Axel froze mid-step. His wristwatch told him it was past five in the afternoon.
Dinner time.
Of all the challenges in his life, boardroom battles, corporate wars, and billion-dollar negotiations, none felt as pressing as this tiny boy staring up at him with puppy eyes.
Should he ask Evelyn to cook? Or order from one of the chefs downstairs? His brain scrambled like it was the most complex problem of his life.
Before he could choose, Oliver tilted his head and asked, "Can you cook, Dad? Can you make me delicious food?"
Axel swallowed hard. Never once had he touched a frying pan, let alone "cooked." The only thing he knew how to do in a kitchen was press the call button for staff.
Oliver blinked, wide-eyed, waiting. And not just him. Liam was also staring, fighting to keep a straight face, but clearly eager to hear what excuse his boss would make.
Axel finally turned his gaze to Liam, silently demanding backup.
Before he turned his gaze back to Oliver, "I do... What do you want to eat?" he asked.
Oliver’s face lit up instantly.
"Yay! My Daddy can cook! Anything, Dad. I will eat anything..."
"Alright, wait while watching your cartoon," Axel said quickly, hiding his panic.
He gestured for Liam to follow him and marched toward the kitchen like a soldier headed to war. "You. Come with me."
In the kitchen, Axel asks softly, "Can you cook?" worried that his son might overhear.
"Not.. Not really. But I can turn on the stove. And the oven." Liam honestly answers.
Axel stared at him in disbelief. "That’s... helpful." His tone dripped with sarcasm.
Opening the fridge, Axel found it stocked like a gourmet market; fresh cuts of meat, fruits glistening like jewels, neatly packed vegetables, and rows of mysterious glass bottles filled with sauces and spices.
"You did a good job filling the fridge," Axel muttered, glaring at the overwhelming options. "But I don’t know what half of this is."
"Thank you, boss. But..." Liam smirked, lowering his voice, "...why did you say you can cook for the young master when you can’t?"
Axel sighed heavily.
"Didn’t you see his sparkling puppy eyes? How could I say no?"
Liam chuckled. "You’re right. Young Master Oliver is too adorable to resist. Alright, how about we grill some wagyu beef? It’s easy and delicious, right?" he suggested.
"Steak?" Axel asked, washing his hands like he’d seen chefs do on TV, even though he had no idea what came next.
"Yes. Steak." Liam opened the fridge and triumphantly pulled out a sirloin. He grabbed a bottle of seasoning and raised it like treasure. "See? Steak spice."
"You are brilliant, Liam! Let’s start." Axel nodded, relieved they had a plan.
Just as they were about to season the meat, a sharp voice distracted them. "What are you guys doing?"
Evelyn stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her expression hovering between suspicion and amusement.