Chapter 100

Evelyn clenched her fists, forcing herself to stand tall despite the fear creeping up her spine.

She had endured decades of suffering. Nothing could shake her now.

As she ascended the stairs toward Dominic's room, the extra bed immediately caught her attention.

Reginald Blackwood sat beside Evelyn on the edge of the mattress.

"What happened to Grandpa Robert? I heard he coughed up blood." Evelyn's voice trembled as she set down her designer handbag.

"Hypertension. Stress made it worse. He needs complete rest and zero agitation. Another outburst could be fatal," Reginald explained, though his words seemed directed at Evelyn rather than Beatrice.

Robert Sinclair lay sleeping, his aged body requiring more rest these days. Missing his afternoon nap wasn't an option.

"Shouldn't he be hospitalized?" Beatrice Lockwood's brow furrowed.

"Hospitals stress him out. Our family physician is on call 24/7. Home recovery is better. Besides, he's too weak to be moved now," Reginald countered.

Beatrice shot Evelyn a pointed look. "Evelyn, come with me."

Evelyn had no choice but to follow Beatrice into the hallway.

Any confrontation would have to happen outside. The doctor's orders were clear - Grandpa couldn't handle any emotional distress.

The moment they cleared the doorway, Beatrice whirled around, teeth clenched. "What game are you and your grandfather playing? Convenient timing for his bloody cough after moving in here!"

"Do enlighten me on how to control someone's medical condition!" Evelyn's hands shook with rage.

How could a woman like Beatrice exist?

Beatrice jabbed a manicured finger at Evelyn. "You reject million-dollar jewelry. Refuse cash. But I see your scheme - playing the long game for the biggest payout! How shameless can you be, dragging your grandfather into this?"

After the tirade, Beatrice glanced around and hissed, "I hope your grandfather coughs up so much blood he chokes on it. Let's see you eat your words when you're collecting his corpse!"

"Have some decency. That man in there raised the son you abandoned." Evelyn's heart ached at having this woman as her biological mother.

If only she'd never discovered the truth.

"Evelyn! Your grandfather's awake!" Reginald called from the doorway.

Beatrice instantly transformed, her expression softening as she patted Evelyn's hair. "Almost done here, Father. Just comforting Evelyn."

Reginald smiled, pleased at their apparent harmony. This boded well for future family relations.

"Evelyn's speaking with her future mother-in-law outside," Reginald told the stirring Robert. "Beatrice can be domineering, but she's sweet to those she likes. They're getting along splendidly."

"Beatrice..." Robert rasped. "What was her maiden name?"

"Lockwood."

Robert frowned, recalling the woman who'd destroyed his son years ago. The name matched...

After the divorce, his son drowned in alcohol, endlessly ranting about Beatrice Lockwood abandoning him and their child for a wealthy man.

"The Blackwoods are filthy rich!"

The realization hit Robert like a truck. His forehead grew clammy, sweat turning icy. His trembling gaze shifted to the sleeping Dominic.

When Evelyn returned, she immediately noticed Grandpa's pallor and rushed to dab his forehead with a cool cloth.

At lunch, a wheelchair was brought for Robert.

Beatrice nearly choked when Robert kept stealing glances at her across the table.

Did he recognize her?

Impossible! He hadn't yesterday. Kevin must never have shown her picture. So why now?

Her venomous glare landed on Evelyn serving pasta. Had the little bitch blabbed?

Robert spoke haltingly before picking up his fork. "Our hometown's being demolished... for some tourist project. Shame... I wasn't done with Luojiazhen yet..."

Beatrice's heart stuttered.

Why bring up Luojiazhen now?

Reginald chuckled. "That place was economically depressed. Reconstruction will modernize it. At our age, we shouldn't cling to the past. Let the young rebuild."

Alexander piped up, "Great-grandpa! You know that place? Is it fun? Can we go?"

"Most our generation has been there." Reginald ruffled the boy's hair.

Robert turned to Beatrice. "What about your generation? Surely you've never visited some backwater like Luojiazhen...?"

Beatrice's cutlery clattered. She hid her shaking hands beneath the table, forcing a smile. "Never been. First I'm hearing of it. Though I'm sure such quaint towns have charm. From your description, the lakes and hills must make for excellent air quality."

Evelyn smirked as she fed Alexander and Isabella meatballs, listening to Beatrice's smooth lies.

"Evelyn, I've had pasta prepared for you and Dominic. He won't eat properly alone while ill," Reginald suggested.

Evelyn started to refuse when Robert clutched his chest, coughing violently. "Go... Don't... anger me..."

Grudgingly, Evelyn took the tray upstairs.

The plush carpet muffled her footsteps. Only her shallow breathing broke the silence.

As she reached the doorway, the tray nearly slipped from her grasp at the sight before her.

Dominic stood naked by the closet, his discarded robe draped over the rumpled bed. His muscular back flexed as he reached for a shirt, belt dangling from one hand.

Evelyn ducked behind the door, pulse racing. The image burned into her retinas - those powerful shoulders she'd once clawed in passion, that tapered waist she'd gripped...

"Seen it before, touched it before. Why the shy act now?" Dominic's cool voice sliced through her thoughts.