The Beast in Fine Tuxedo

Chapter 3

As the wedding reception neared its end, the band played a soothing exit melody.

Like a startled bird, I spent the entire evening avoiding Alexander Warren’s gaze. Every time I felt his eyes

sweep over me, my hair stood on end.

However, fate seemed to revel in playing malicious tricks on me.

"Ellie, dear," Aunt Carol handed me an elegantly packaged gift box containing an obviously expensive bottle of Scotch whiskey. "This is a return gift for Alexander. He’s helped your cousin a lot. Could you deliver it for me?"

My smile froze instantly. Among all the attendants and staff present, why did it have to be me?

Faced with my aunt's expectant gaze, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse. It felt like an unspoken rule of

adulthood, where the younger generation’s compliance maintained the delicate balance of relationships.

Holding the heavy gift box, I took a deep breath and walked toward the man standing in the shadows of the

terrace. He was tall and commanding, so radiant he naturally became the center of everyone’s attention, even in a crowd.

"Mr. Warren," I interrupted his conversation as I approached him.

He turned to see it was me, a fleeting, almost imperceptible smile flashing in his eyes, as if he had anticipated my arrival. Excusing himself from the group, he directed his full attention to me.

"Ellie," his voice was deep and enthralling. "What brings you here?"

“My aunt asked me to give this to you as a token of appreciation,” I said, handing him the gift box, eager to

finish the task and leave.

He reached out to take the box. However, the moment his fingers touched it, he seemed to fumble, and the

box dipped suddenly.

"Oh, careful!" he exclaimed.

Instinctively, I stepped forward to steady the box. At the same time, he extended his arm—not to support the box but to encircle my waist, pulling me into his embrace.

I collided firmly with his solid chest, enveloped in a scent that was both aggressive and intoxicating—a mix of sandalwood and whiskey.

The gift box was securely wedged between us.

Everything happened so quickly, it felt like a carefully planned accident.

Holding me close, his warm breath brushed against my ear as he murmured in a tone only the two of us could hear, “Mind your steps, dear girl.”

His embrace wasn’t warm; instead, it felt like a refined cage, leaving me breathless. His words sounded more

like mockery—it was him who had orchestrated this trap.

In my childhood, I once found his embrace comforting, but now, all I felt was deep-seated disgust and unease.

A surge of anger ignited within me, giving me the strength to break free.

I pushed against his chest with all my might, stepping out of his hold, my heart pounding like a rabbit fleeing a predator. Forcing myself to look him in the eye, I managed to muster a cold and distant smile.

“Thank you, Mr. Warren,” I said, enunciating each word clearly. “It was my own fault for not standing steady.”

I decided to play along with his act, but my gaze and tone conveyed my true feelings: I know what you did, and I detest you.

A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, as though he hadn’t expected me to retaliate so directly. But that

surprise quickly transformed into an even stronger interest.

After the wedding, as guests gradually departed, my uncle prepared to drive me home.

Just as we were about to leave the estate, a black Bentley glided silently alongside us. The window rolled down, revealing Alexander’s handsome face.

“Where are you headed, brother?” he asked, though his eyes bypassed my uncle and landed directly on me.

“Taking Ellie home,” my uncle replied.

“I’m heading that way,” Alexander said casually. “Why don’t you let her ride with me? You’ve had a long day yourself.”

I immediately clutched my uncle’s arm, shaking my head vehemently with every ounce of resistance I could

muster. My eyes pleaded silently.

My uncle hesitated for a moment before understanding my intent. Smiling, he replied to his brother, “No need. My niece is shy. Riding in your luxury car would make her nervous.”

Alexander’s expression darkened momentarily but was quickly masked by his trademark smile. “Come on,

you make it sound like I’m a stranger.”

“Maybe next time!” my uncle cut the conversation short, rolling up the window and driving off without

giving Alexander a chance to argue further.

In the car, my uncle glanced at me through the rearview mirror. “Are you afraid of my brother?” he asked.

“A little…” I admitted softly.

“My brother,” my uncle sighed, “was spoiled by our parents. Combine that with his intelligence and career

success, but when it comes to emotions… sigh. If you’re uncomfortable around him, keep your interactions to a minimum.”

“Got it,” I nodded gratefully, resting my head against the window as the scenery blurred past. All I wished for was to speed away from Alexander Warren, just like this.

Returning to life at New Moon City University felt like stepping out of a dark fairy tale and back into reality. The air was liberating, the sunlight warm.

I buried myself in the library and art studio, trying to cleanse my mind of those unpleasant memories with art

and learning.

A week later, at a major debate competition in the school’s auditorium, I saw Liam Carter again.

Representing the law school, he stood confidently at the debate podium. Dressed simply in a white shirt and

jeans, he had no need for extravagant embellishments. When he spoke, he radiated brilliance. His arguments

were clear, heartfelt, and supported by references, advocating for the underprivileged. His eyes shone with an

idealistic light—a light I had never seen in Alexander Warren’s world.

Sitting in the corner of the audience, I was completely captivated. He seemed to embody everything I believed

in: integrity, kindness, wisdom, and justice.

After the debate, as I was about to leave, a voice called out to me.

“Ellie Stewart?”

I turned to see Liam approaching, a shy smile on his face. “What a coincidence. Are you interested in this

debate topic too?”

“Your performance was incredible,” I praised sincerely.

“Thank you,” he said, scratching his head sheepishly. “Want to take a walk?”

We strolled side by side along the campus paths bathed in golden sunset. Our shadows stretched long as he

shared amusing anecdotes from the law school. Even the driest legal statutes became vivid in his storytelling.

His humor drew genuine laughter from me—the first time in days I felt truly at ease and happy.

The dark cloud Alexander had cast seemed to dissipate in the light of Liam’s warmth. I greedily savored this

rare moment of pure joy, a feeling befitting my age.

“You have a beautiful smile,” Liam suddenly stopped and said earnestly, looking at me.

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and my heart skipped a beat.

However, I failed to notice a black, inconspicuous car parked quietly at the end of a tree-lined path nearby.

Behind the tinted rear window, a pair of cold eyes observed us intently through binoculars, tracking every smile on my face.

Those eyes held no warmth, only silent darkness, brewing a storm.