Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 54: Evander’s Plan

Chapter 54: Evander’s Plan

Leander came to his senses only after Steve whispered in his ear to look out for his brother. Only then he realized that he was standing to his grandfather’s right.

He immediately looked for Evander. He was standing far away with his eyebrows twitching in anger. His mother was looking at him with a painfully disappointed stare. He knew he had screwed up.

Even then, his thought immediately jumped to that woman whom he left on the balcony.

What if Evander shows his anger at her?

Leander tried his best to get away from his grandfather, but his grandfather didn’t let him go. He grabbed his hands and took him everywhere with him. So, by his grandfather’s side, Leander welcomed all the guests.

The Donatello family showed their faces with no shame. But Leander was shocked to see the Palatini family entering. When he looked around, there were some politicians and some loyal law enforcement officers too.

There was no way his grandfather would have invited the Palatini family for a simple engagement announcement. The only reason every family is here must be because...

It’s a crowning ceremony.

And judging by how his grandfather is acting, the crown is going to end up on his head.

His eyes ended up at Evander. His mother and Evander were discussing something. The place of the heir must belong to Evander. Just because of some accident, his grandfather cannot change his decision.

Leander did not like how everything was going.

"Nicky, my beloved boy!!" Peter exclaimed loudly and hugged Nicholai Palatini.

It’s always like this. The two families can’t even bear to hear the name of the other family in private, but in public settings like this, they’d pretend to be very chummy. His grandfather finds it necessary, but Leander could never humble himself to pretend like this.

That’s why he liked that he is not the heir. He can be what he wants to be. He will not lose his freedom.

Helena Palatini was standing a step behind her husband. Leander bowed his head sensing that she was looking at him. He didn’t want to create any misunderstandings.

Leander took a step back as he saw Helena trying to talk to him. He couldn’t believe that she does that right when her husband is near her. Considering their history that is not so secret, shouldn’t she be more careful? In fact, she never talked to him in the past. What changed now?

He turned and looked at the balcony. He couldn’t see what was going on there. But he saw Evander trying to get there. Thankfully, he was blocked by some who wanted to talk to him.

"Leander, show Nicky his table," Peter asked him.

Leander nodded and walked beside Nikolai as the usher led them to his table. He stiffened when he felt a cold, petite hand reaching his hand. He immediately took a side step. Helena was having a small piece of paper folded in her hands.

Why would she want to pass it to me?

He remembered Helena’s mother trying to talk to him. She tried to reach out to him a couple times after that. But he ignored her.

Is she in some kind of trouble?

His heart that was still regarding his first love found a slight wind blowing for the first time in years as he met her pleading eyes.

Clenching his jaws, he turned at Steve. Steve who saw the little interaction stepped in between Leander and Helena. If she needed something important, she can pass it to Steve. He doesn’t have to listen to her personally.

He noticed that Evander was walking to his grandfather. He looked disturbed and Leander knew that Evander is going to disturb the peace of his grandfather.

Leander made sure Nikolai was seated and excused himself. As he took a step away from the table, he felt a pinch on his leg and looked down.

It was Helena!

"I need to talk to you, Leo..." She mouthed without making a sound hiding her mouth behind her clutch.

Leander gulped. Her eyes were puffy and she looked a little pale even with the makeup.

She needs help! What should I do?

But before he could come up with a solution to that problem, he saw that the "talk" between Evander and Peter has turned loud. He sighed. Peter must have said no to Evander and he must be throwing a tantrum.

But what did Evander ask?

His mom joined the discussion and at one point, she pointed at the balcony.

Leander’s heart skipped a beat. He hissed as he felt a pinch again. He looked down to see Helena looked at him with a pleading glance. Without saying anything, he turned and walked to the balcony.

He couldn’t think about Helena anymore.

He knew Evander is planning something regarding that woman. She doesn’t have to stay here anymore even if his grandfather wants her here. He decided to ask Lionel to drop her at the Orchid Garden.

Just as he went to the balcony with his heart filled with worry, what did he hear?

That’s right! The unfamiliar sound of a laugh.

He thought that someone else joined Lionel. That woman doesn’t know to laugh. She can only scowl or be scared or she can cry secretly. And she sleeps well, enough to scare him that she might be dead.

But what he saw...

She can make that expression... Her face was blooming with joy. He’s never seen her smile like that.

Why is she smiling like that in front of Lionel? Why him? She is so pretty when she smiles. Why isn’t she smiling in front of me?

He got mad.

And to add insult to his injury, he saw her face turn pale as she noticed him. It was so hurtful. Here he is, running around worrying about her, and there she is...

Why can’t she treat me as a human?

Before he knew it, he forgot what he came for and asked her to follow him. She didn’t even oppose him and followed him like a dog with that blank expression on her face.

It maddened him.

-----

"Do you even realize what you are doing?" Viola almost pinched his arms as she dragged her son to the side.

"Mom, I know...Just~"

"I’ll slap you right here if you don’t shut up," Viola gritted her teeth. "After everything... is this how~"

"Mom," Evander scoffed. "Do you really think grandpa is going to keep his word and crown me?"

His eyes reddened and his lips trembled.

"My life is over, mom... I’m..."

"Oh, don’t..." Viola hugged her son closer. "Don’t speak this way. It hurts...My dear son... What can I do?"

She started crying.

"Don’t cry, mom..." Evander patted her back. "You know I can’t bear it when you cry..."

"But still," Viola held his cheeks. "What good it will do to marry..." she pressed her lips as she didn’t even like to say her name. "...that leftover b*tch of the youngest? Should you get reduced to do that?"

Evander’s tears dried up and his lips curved to an evil smirk. "You’ll see, mom... Just wait..."