Chapter 112

Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley gazed at Evelyn Sinclair with tender affection, nodding approvingly at Patriarch Kingsley's words.

William Yearwood and his wife exchanged startled glances.

The Kingsleys still valued Evelyn this much?

Julian Ashford's frown deepened, his expression darkening like a brewing storm.

Alexander Kingsley's eyes briefly flickered toward Evelyn's profile...

Evelyn kept her lashes lowered, neither confirming nor denying, as if detached from the situation.

"Old man, that's not how it's done," Madeline Kingsley suddenly interjected. "Since when do you propose on someone else's behalf? Have you even asked Evelyn if she's willing?"

"Always meddling!" Patriarch Kingsley huffed before turning directly to Evelyn. "Well, Evelyn? Will you?"

Madeline cut in sharply, "This should be Alexander's question to ask! Stop stealing his moment."

"Oh!" The patriarch slapped his forehead with a hearty laugh. "Silly me. Alexander, come here. It's your turn now."

He remembered perfectly—Alexander had promised to propose during the birthday banquet.

The spectacle didn't matter. Bringing her home as his bride did.

"Grandfather..." Evelyn finally murmured, "Everyone's watching..."

"See how you've embarrassed the poor girl," Madeline chided, nudging her husband. "Not everyone has your thick skin."

"Fine, fine," the patriarch conceded cheerfully. "I'm just overjoyed. Once Evelyn gives us a chubby great-grandson, you'll be even more impatient than me!"

Madeline scoffed, "If we get a great-grandchild, of course I'll be thrilled. But your mouth today—utterly shameless."

She took Evelyn's hand gently. "Evelyn, to me, you've always been a granddaughter. No one wishes for your happiness more than I do."

Evelyn nodded obediently. "I understand your kindness, Grandmother."

She missed the fleeting complexity in Madeline's eyes.

The banquet proceeded smoothly.

Amidst the crowd, Patriarch Kingsley delivered his heartfelt speech.

Beyond scheduled performances, the emcee organized a raffle and charity auction, with proceeds funding rare disease treatments for children in remote areas.

Just as guests prepared to mingle, the banquet hall plunged into darkness.

Gasps rippled through the blackout.

A power outage at the Kingsley banquet? Either a disaster—or something extraordinary...

Evelyn tightened her grip on Sophie's hand.

She'd stayed with Sophie all evening while Alexander entertained guests. Any approaching men had been politely declined.

Please, no mishaps now...

"Look, Sister!" Sophie suddenly exclaimed.

A blue glow flickered in one corner.

Like a luminous fish, it trailed a shimmering tail as it descended from the ceiling.

Every gaze followed.

Upon closer look—it was a butterfly. A butterfly with phoenix-like resplendent wings.

Its fluttering wings scattered flecks of light like falling stars.

The specks swirled midair, transforming into rose petals that drifted downward.

Reaching hands found the petals passing through palms, landing soundlessly.

An intricately designed hologram.

Where petals touched the ground, blue ripples spread, rising to ankles, waists, overhead...

The entire hall seemed submerged underwater.

The butterfly circled once before alighting on Alexander's hair.

In a flash, it became an arrow, cleaving through the "sea" to pave a pearlescent path.

By the time Evelyn realized, it was too late to retreat.

The arrow dissolved back into a butterfly before her eyes.

Now all could see—the butterfly carried a ring.

Alexander stepped toward Evelyn.

He raised his hand. The butterfly settled on his fingertip, its wings bursting into radiant light that coalesced into a velvet jewelry box.

Silence held the room.

Evelyn's breath caught.

She'd never imagined...

Dared not guess what lay inside.

Dared not anticipate what came next.

She'd once envisioned countless proposal scenes—always in solitude, him quietly sliding a ring onto her finger.

Later, she stopped dreaming, content just to remain by his side.

In her lowest moments, she'd only begged him not to cast her aside...

Alexander cradled the box in his left palm, his right hand lifting slowly.

Evelyn recognized the motion.

He stepped forward.

Next would come the kneel, the opened box—

"Madeline Kingsley! Call an ambulance!"

A scream shattered the silence.

Eleanor Kingsley's frantic voice followed: "Stay calm! Fetch the doctor first!"

Simultaneously, Sophie collapsed heavily against Evelyn's arm...