Chapter 131
Evelyn's mind was racing.
In the elite circles of A City, who was the most unapproachable bachelor? Not the playboys nor the fickle aristocrats. Without question, it was the notoriously aloof Dominic Blackwood.
His indifference toward women was legendary.
Evelyn had to admit she'd had countless opportunities to get close to Dominic over the years. Yet they remained practically strangers.
But she took comfort knowing no other woman had fared better.
Except for that anomaly - Evelyn Sinclair.
Evelyn couldn't comprehend why someone as ordinary as Evelyn had captured Dominic's attention! Whatever tricks Evelyn had used, she needed to eliminate this problem immediately.
Her plan was to tarnish Evelyn's reputation completely.
The ideal scenario would be seeing Evelyn trapped in a miserable marriage with some worthless loser. But that wasn't practical.
Maxwell Lockwood's family was wealthy and influential. Once Evelyn married into the Lockwoods, she'd be forced into obedient domesticity - the perfect wife, subservient to her in-laws and husband.
No more opportunities to seduce Dominic.
Moreover, Maxwell and Dominic were cousins.
If Evelyn dared to flirt with her husband's cousin, she'd be inviting public disgrace.
Maxwell's status would become Evelyn's shackles, preventing any further advances toward Dominic.
Even the slightest hint of impropriety would brand Evelyn a moral degenerate.
The more Evelyn considered it, the more perfect the plan seemed.
City Center - Fourth Ring Road.
Dominic's black sedan emerged from the villa district onto the highway.
Ahead, a Lockwood family car maintained steady speed, tailing Evelyn.
Dominic accelerated sharply, executing a perfect parallel park that blocked the road.
The Lockwood driver immediately stopped. "Mr. Blackwood? Is there a—"
"I'll take her home. It's on my way." Dominic's piercing gaze left no room for argument.
The driver explained that Miss Sinclair had refused Maxwell's offer, insisting on taking a taxi. Not wanting to upset her, Maxwell had discreetly arranged surveillance for her safety.
Dominic found this protective approach absurd.
According to the driver, Maxwell had insisted, "Follow her taxi until she's safely home."
As if every cab driver posed a threat.
"Understood. Thank you, Mr. Blackwood." The driver acquiesced, reasoning that Dominic was family - close enough to Maxwell to ensure Evelyn's safety.
After dismissing the Lockwood vehicle, Dominic approached the slender figure walking ahead.
Hearing a horn, Evelyn instinctively moved aside without looking back, lost in thought.
The persistent honking continued.
Having already reached the sidewalk's edge, Evelyn finally turned.
Dominic's black Range Rover roared past, startling her so badly she nearly fell against the guardrail.
The car screeched to a halt.
Dominic emerged, his tailored black suit and casually unbuttoned shirt revealing his chiseled collarbone. When he approached, Evelyn immediately averted her gaze.
"Not a single taxi passes here. Planning to walk back to the city?" His low voice carried unmistakable anger.
He reached for her hand, but she swiftly evaded, clasping them behind her back.
Her refusal was clear - she wouldn't enter his car, just as she'd rejected Maxwell earlier.
To make Dominic give up, she was willing to marry quickly. But not to Maxwell Lockwood - their worlds were too different. Marrying into wealth promised only a lifetime of struggle.
Most importantly, Maxwell was Dominic's cousin.
Harrison Wells kept texting, clearly interested. His straightforward manner aligned with her modest background.
She couldn't disappoint Harrison.
Wind rustled through roadside trees as Evelyn met Dominic's gaze briefly before walking past him.
If she grew too tired, she'd find another way home.
Dominic's expression darkened as he watched her retreat. In two strides, he seized her waist.
"Let go!" Evelyn struggled against his iron grip.
Ignoring her protests, Dominic dragged her to the car and retrieved an elegant tie box from the backseat.
He removed a pristine gray tie and bound her wrists behind her back.
"Dominic, you're insane!" Evelyn's eyes reddened with panic - this was the second time he'd restrained her.
Dominic discarded the unused tie box into a roadside bin. The year-old gift from some aunt meant nothing.
Next, he silenced her with a monogrammed pocket square.
Helpless, Evelyn could only shake her head and kick futilely.
"Shaking your head? Admitting you were wrong? That seducing Maxwell was a mistake? That cheating on me with my own cousin was unacceptable?" Dominic interpreted her movements.
The pocket square muffled Evelyn's protests.
Her phone vibrated.
Dominic retrieved it from her bag.
Harrison's message appeared: 'Found this romantic dessert café girls love. Hope you'll enjoy it too.'
Dominic's entire demeanor turned glacial, his handsome face stormy.
He gripped Evelyn's chin, forcing her terrified gaze to meet his.
"Does your boyfriend know you might be carrying my child?"