Chapter 142

"Aunt Evelyn..."

Evelyn heard the voice and lifted her gaze.

It was Alexander.

The Blackwood family had even invited the Lockwoods...

The private dining room was lavishly decorated. Every seat at the round table was occupied. She recognized some faces, while others were strangers. The table groaned under the weight of exquisite dishes and rare vintage wines.

Isabella's rosy cheeks peeked out from behind a tower of desserts.

Her eyes inevitably drifted toward Dominic's suddenly stormy expression. Evelyn immediately felt suffocated, as if dark clouds were pressing down on her. She lowered her head and tried to pull her hand free from Maxwell's grip.

Instead of releasing her, Maxwell pulled out a chair while keeping his arm firmly around her waist. "Sit next to my mother," he ordered.

The two marriage certificates lay on the table, their crimson hue as glaring as fresh blood.

"From now on, we're family, Evelyn. Don't be afraid. No matter what happens, I'll always be here as your mother."

Eleanor Lockwood's words were clearly directed at her son—a warning not to mistreat Evelyn. They were also meant for Dominic, reminding him that Evelyn was no longer just his subordinate but now his cousin's wife.

He was expected to treat her with the respect due to family.

Around the table, the other guests murmured polite congratulations, but their voices trailed off awkwardly.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

"I need to use the restroom."

Evelyn stood abruptly and left the private room.

She had never felt more humiliated in her life.

Yet Dominic's family being present was the least of her worries. Her grandfather's safety remained her top priority. Maxwell had shown her a video of her injured grandfather being rushed to the hospital.

She still didn't know which hospital he'd been taken to.

Searching every medical facility in the city would be impossible.

Marrying this devil might condemn her to a miserable existence, but she had no other choice...

Back in the private room.

Beatrice noticed Isabella's sticky fingers and sighed. "Isabella, look at your hands. Come, let's wash them."

The little girl's chubby fingers were coated in dessert crumbs.

They exited the private room and headed for the nearest restroom.

Inside the bathroom.

Evelyn tensed when Beatrice entered with Isabella.

"Wash your hands properly, darling." Beatrice attended to the child first. As she helped Isabella, she shot Evelyn a sharp glance. "Did you and Maxwell really get married?"

"Yes."

Evelyn saw the shock and fury flash across Beatrice's face.

Beatrice bit back whatever she wanted to say in front of the child.

It was true she'd demanded Evelyn stay away from her son, but she never imagined the girl would attach herself to his cousin!

She'd prayed daily for Evelyn to marry someone far away—preferably overseas. If marriage wasn't an option, then a fatal accident would have been equally satisfactory!

Instead, Evelyn left the Blackwoods only to join the Lockwoods.

Rather than disappearing, she'd moved closer.

Beatrice took her granddaughter back to the private room.

Evelyn followed shortly after. She couldn't hide forever. She needed to endure this dinner so she could see her grandfather sooner.

Upon returning, she nearly collided with Alexander, who was holding a backpack. He was telling his sister, "Isabella, we're leaving."

"Aunt Evelyn... Can you come and—"

Isabella didn't finish.

He'd been about to say, "Aunt Evelyn, can you come stay at Daddy's place tonight?"

But before he could complete the sentence, Dominic's large hand clamped over his mouth. "You've got crumbs everywhere. Such a messy eater." Dominic held his daughter with one arm, frowning as he wiped her face with his thumb.

Eleanor interjected quickly, "Dominic, if you need to leave, please don't let us keep you!" She was eager to see the cold man depart so Evelyn could relax.

Maxwell guided Evelyn back to her seat. "I'll see them out."

Soon, the three Blackwoods had left.

Evelyn exhaled in relief.

Outside the hotel.

Maxwell opened the car door and ruffled Alexander's hair. "You're doing a great job looking after your sister, champ."

Alexander helped Isabella into the car before asking, "Uncle, why did you call Aunt Evelyn your wife?"

"Next time you see her, she'll be Evelyn Lockwood," Maxwell explained patiently to the boy. His gaze lingered on the child who bore such a striking resemblance to Evelyn.

In the hotel lobby, a business associate spotted Dominic and approached to chat about recent real estate developments in the city.

Dominic wasn't in the mood for business talk. His mind was still reeling.

Maxwell continued entertaining the children outside until they realized Dominic was occupied and returned upstairs.

Dominic drove back to the Blackwood estate instead of his apartment.

He left the twins in the care of their great-grandfather and the nanny.

As Dominic grabbed his suit jacket to leave, Alexander asked in confusion, "Daddy, Uncle Maxwell said Aunt Evelyn will be called Evelyn Lockwood next time. Is that true?"

Dominic paused for only a second before walking out without a word.

Both Reginald Blackwood and the nanny exchanged startled glances.

The nanny hurried to collect the children's bags, keeping her mouth firmly shut. 'Ms. Evelyn had such a good relationship with all three of them. What could have happened?'

Reginald beckoned his great-grandson over. "Come tell me what's going on."

Alexander repeated everything he'd heard.

Suddenly, he felt sorry for his father...

At nearly ten that night, Maxwell finally took Evelyn to see her grandfather.

The old man had minor injuries but remained unconscious, his mental state fragile.

Evelyn didn't notice when Maxwell left.

She only wished he'd stay gone.

She kept vigil by her grandfather's hospital bed all night. The next morning, exhausted, she called Abigail to request leave, unsure if it would be granted.

"Take care of your grandfather first," Abigail said immediately. "The project handover is still in progress. Don't worry about rushing back."

"Thank you."

Evelyn was deeply grateful for her colleague's understanding.

After a week at her grandfather's bedside—interspersed with visits to handle her father's medical bills—Evelyn checked her nearly depleted bank account and knew she had to return to work.

Design Department.

"Evelyn, you're back?" A female colleague looked up from her work. "Your team's in a meeting on the top floor. If you hurry, you might catch the summary."

Evelyn nodded her thanks. Without stopping to organize her desk, she grabbed her laptop and headed upstairs.

By the time she reached the top floor, her teammates had already left via another elevator. Finding the conference room empty when she knocked, she pushed the door open quietly.

Knowing the project handover had occurred days ago and all critical information would have been shared in this meeting, Evelyn didn't want to burden her team. She decided to review the meeting recording.

The recording equipment was in a side cubicle. As she approached with her laptop, she froze.

Dominic sat at the massive conference table, a cigarette between his fingers, his expression thunderous.

Their eyes met.