Chapter 134

The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding.

Behind Evelyn, the building concierge addressed the man standing at the penthouse entrance. "My apologies, Mr. Blackwood. The young lady claimed to know you."

Dominic gave a curt nod.

The concierge retreated immediately.

Evelyn's fingers twisted together as she studied the imposing figure before her. "Have you seen my grandfather?" Her voice came out smaller than intended.

She was the one who'd demanded they go their separate ways. Yet here she stood at his doorstep in the dead of night, seeking his help.

The irony burned her cheeks. But desperation left no room for pride.

Dominic finished tightening the belt of his silk robe. "What's happened to your grandfather?" His sharp gaze lifted to meet hers. "Has he gone missing?"

She searched his face - the faint crease between his brows, the genuine confusion in his dark eyes. He truly didn't know.

Her knees nearly buckled. Without a word, she turned and stabbed the elevator button with shaking fingers.

Dominic caught the way her breath hitched. In three long strides, he crossed the marble foyer and hauled her back inside.

The world tilted as he deposited her onto the leather sofa, caging her in with his arms. "Start talking," he commanded, voice rough with concern. "Now."

Tears welled in Evelyn's eyes.

A soft shuffling sound interrupted them. From the hallway emerged two sleepy children - Isabella clutching a stuffed polar bear, Alexander with his slippers on the wrong feet.

"Bed. Now." Dominic didn't even turn around.

Alexander pouted but obediently guided his sister back to their rooms, casting worried glances at "Aunt Evie" over his shoulder.

Evelyn tried to smile for them. Failed.

Her phone chimed - Olivia's voice message: "No sign of your grandfather. What's going on? Where are you? I'm coming over!"

Dominic snatched the device. "False alarm," he replied tersely before pocketing her phone. His expression darkened. "Get changed. We're leaving in five."

She had no choice but to wait.

The man emerged minutes later in his customary tailored suit, looking boardroom-ready despite the late hour. As they exited the building, whispers followed them.

"Lovers' quarrel?" the night receptionist murmured.

The senior concierge snorted. "More like a kept woman pushing her luck. That's Dominic Blackwood - do you really think he'd settle for some plain Jane?"

"Plain?" The receptionist arched a brow. "That woman's got cheekbones you could cut glass with. I'd kill for her bone structure."

Dominic's Range Rover purred to life at the curb. He rolled down the window. "Subway's closing soon. Unless you plan to blow your savings on cab fare all night?" His gaze dropped meaningfully to her worn handbag. "Your father's medical bills won't pay themselves."

The barb struck true. Every penny she earned went toward her father's treatments and grandfather's care. She was drowning.

Evelyn slid into the passenger seat in silence.

"Have you contacted all his friends?" Dominic navigated the empty streets with practiced ease.

"If I can't reach them, neither could Grandpa." She pressed her forehead against the cool window.

Dominic called Reginald Blackwood next. The old man knew nothing. Hanging up, Dominic gripped the steering wheel tighter. "We'll file a police report."

For normal citizens, missing persons cases required a 48-hour wait. But Dominic had Sebastian Whitmore handle it with one phone call.

After combing through her apartment and the surrounding neighborhood with no success, Evelyn's teeth began chattering. Whether from cold or fear, she couldn't tell.

The police found nothing on the neighborhood's patchy surveillance cameras.

"Could he have returned to Willowbrook?" Dominic asked suddenly.

Evelyn turned, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. In the pale streetlight, she looked heartbreakingly fragile.

Dominic captured her icy hands in his. "We'll drive there now." His thumb brushed her knuckles. "You need to rest."

She didn't protest when he draped his suit jacket over her shoulders.

"Sleep," he ordered, lighting a cigarette and cracking the window. The nicotine would keep him alert for the long drive.

Evelyn closed her eyes. But sleep wouldn't come. Instead, she wrestled with the dangerous warmth spreading through her chest at his nearness.

"Still awake?" Dominic's voice cut through the darkness.

She met his profile in the dashboard glow. "I was thinking... maybe I should consider you as an older brother figure."

The cigarette ash scattered as Dominic barked a laugh. "An older brother?" His smirk was predatory. "Tell me, little sister - do brothers usually fantasize about bending you over every flat surface?"