Chapter 143

Dominic's gaze landed on her, but there was no visible reaction.

Evelyn hesitated, unsure whether to leave or stay. Then he frowned, stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, grabbed his phone, and walked out of the massive conference room.

The room had two exits.

He took the other one.

Evelyn stood frozen for what felt like an eternity before remembering why she was there.

She turned on the recording equipment, lowered the volume, and slipped on the headphones. The meeting's content was displayed on the projection screen. Her fingers flew across her laptop keyboard as she noted down key points while watching the playback.

By the time she finished transcribing the previous meeting, it was already past three in the afternoon.

Abigail had been waiting for her.

The moment Evelyn stepped out of the elevator, Abigail pushed a cup of coffee toward her. "Sebastian told me you found your grandfather."

Evelyn set the coffee beside her laptop and powered it on. "Thanks for helping with Mr. Whitmore. I owe you both a meal."

Abigail chuckled. "Why thank us? It's our job. The one you should really thank is Mr. Blackwood."

Evelyn's fingers stilled on the keyboard.

Abigail nudged her with an elbow, grinning. "So, how are you planning to thank him? A fun night in, maybe?"

Evelyn didn't move.

Noticing her tension, Abigail glanced down and saw Evelyn's fingers curled tightly. Her expression was troubled.

"What's wrong? Did you and the boss... fight?" Abigail asked, recalling Dominic's mood during the meeting earlier.

He hadn't seemed any different.

She mentally scolded herself for being naive. She'd assumed his irritation was because of Nathan drugging Evelyn.

But apparently, that wasn't the case.

"I'm not in a relationship with Mr. Blackwood," Evelyn said quietly, then added, "And... I'm married."

Abigail stared at her in silence.

Then she burst out laughing. "What kind of joke is that? Saying you're married is like my mom telling me she's not my real mother and that I'm actually the lost princess of Eldoria!"

"I'm not joking." Evelyn met her gaze steadily.

Abigail's smile faded.

Evelyn was married.

Evelyn. Married.

Abigail couldn't process it.

Then what was Dominic to her?

The powerful CEO of T Corporation, a man countless elite women dreamed of marrying—yet he'd never shown interest in any of them. His private life was spotless, untouched.

And yet, he'd fallen for a married woman?

The world had gone mad.

Abigail slumped back into her chair, trying to focus on work, but her mind wouldn't cooperate.

How could Evelyn be married while entangled with Dominic?

Was it an uncontrollable passion that blinded him? Or had Evelyn deceived him, playing innocent until he discovered the truth—hence his visible anger during the meeting?

Evelyn buried herself in work, looking exhausted.

Abigail studied her, struggling to reconcile the image of the sweet, hardworking Evelyn with someone capable of two-timing men. Had she misjudged her completely?

If you're free tonight, let's grab drinks. Abigail texted her, then added, Consider it repayment for guarding your place while waiting for your grandpa.

Evelyn agreed.

Near the end of the workday, Evelyn went to wash her coffee cup and ran into Olivia, who had just returned from an off-site assignment.

"I need to talk to you after work," Olivia said bluntly.

Abigail walked over. "Evelyn and I already have plans. If you don’t mind me tagging along, we can all go together."

Olivia didn’t dislike Abigail, so she nodded. "Fine."

At closing time, the three of them headed to a bar.

"First time here?" Abigail, clearly a regular, asked Evelyn as they settled in.

Evelyn nodded.

The waiter brought their beers.

Olivia popped the caps off and poured three glasses. She took a long sip before speaking.

"Evelyn never had the chance to go to bars before. After moving to A City, life just kept kicking her down. Her stepmother’s abuse, her father’s declining health... You name it, she suffered it. There’s so much about her you don’t know, Abigail. But I do."

Abigail watched Olivia take another swig. "Do you also know she’s married?"

Olivia choked.

Beer sprayed across the table.

Even Abigail was startled by her own bluntness, hastily handing Olivia tissues.

Olivia gaped at Evelyn.

"You're married? Since when? Who the hell did you marry?"

Her mind immediately jumped to the possibility of Evelyn secretly marrying Dominic.

"I just got the certificate a week ago. Let’s not talk about it. The only relationship I have with Mr. Blackwood is professional now." Evelyn had no intention of mentioning Maxwell to anyone.

Both Abigail and Olivia thought back to that week—

Wasn’t that when Evelyn’s grandfather disappeared?

Could her sudden marriage be connected?

Half an hour later, a dozen empty beer bottles littered the table.

Olivia clapped Evelyn on the shoulder. "I don’t blame you at all. My brother brought this on himself. In case you didn’t know... he was planning to..."

She couldn’t finish.

After her brother was taken to the police station, she’d gone with her parents. The officers had found disturbing evidence on his phone—messages, photos. Olivia had seen them. She’d finally realized how vile he truly was.

"What was he going to do to me?" Evelyn pressed.

"Forget it. It’s over now..." Olivia refilled their glasses.

Amid the bar’s mellow music, a phone rang.

"Whose is that?" Olivia checked before nudging Evelyn. "Pretty sure it’s yours."

Evelyn hadn’t drunk much—she was a lightweight—but she was already feeling the buzz.

She pulled out her phone. Unknown number.

She answered.

"Evelyn, I don’t care what you’re doing, but get home now." It was Maxwell’s mother—Dominic’s aunt. Her voice trembled with suppressed fury.

"What’s wrong?" Evelyn had no patience for that family’s drama.

"You’re seriously asking what’s wrong? Old Master Blackwood is at our doorstep, accusing us of kidnapping his granddaughter-in-law! Get back here and explain yourself! I can’t believe you’d pull this stunt!"