Chapter 145

Dominic stood at the doorway.

Evelyn wasn't certain if he'd positioned himself there deliberately, but his broad frame completely blocked her only exit. Just one door, yet his imposing figure created an impenetrable barrier...

Beatrice remained seated on the sofa in silence. She allowed the Lockwood family to speak first. Her brother Frederick had the floor, then his wife could chime in. On the Blackwood side, Reginald Blackwood dominated the conversation.

She barely had room to breathe, let alone speak.

Then her son, the head of their household, arrived.

Every person in the living room fell silent.

Beatrice wanted to expedite matters. No one desired Evelyn's removal more intensely than she did.

Finally unable to contain herself, Beatrice rose and moved toward the door to take charge. Addressing the two figures blocking the exit, she commanded, "Sit down. Maxwell should return shortly."

"Grandfather summoned me. What's the issue?" Dominic's composed voice cut through the tension.

He obeyed his mother, retreating to the living room sofa.

As he shifted, his long fingers left just enough space at the door.

A silent signal for her to escape.

Evelyn's lashes fluttered. She seized the doorknob, twisted it, and slipped through the opening.

Only Blackwoods and Lockwoods remained in the room.

Eleanor Lockwood could no longer restrain her emotions. Addressing the assembly with biting sarcasm, "At my age, I've encountered every manner of person. Normally I pride myself on spotting wickedness, but apparently I've grown blind!"

Frederick appeared bewildered by his wife's outburst.

Eleanor spoke for her absent son: "You all know Maxwell's usual taste in women - tabloid fodder. But girls like Evelyn seem harmless. Suddenly she appears before him, and now he's lost all reason. After mere days of acquaintance, she's convinced my son to marry her..."

Reginald Blackwood lifted his gaze. "Are you suggesting your son is the victim here?"

"What else-" Eleanor shot Reginald a venomous look before Frederick gripped her arm, silencing her.

Reginald turned to his seemingly indifferent grandson. "Dominic, were you aware Evelyn abruptly married Maxwell?"

Alexander also fixed his gaze on his father...

The Lockwood housekeeper served tea with practiced deference.

Dominic ignored his cup, lighting a cigarette instead. Raising an eyebrow, he revealed, "Evelyn's grandfather vanished mysteriously recently. We returned to her hometown to search, even involved the police. The night before her wedding, we shared a bed."

The old man's eyes widened in shock.

Frederick, his uncle, paled at the implication.

One his son, the other his nephew. What depravity was this?

Dominic exhaled smoke. "I'm equally curious why Evelyn rushed into marriage while her grandfather remained missing."

Reginald set down his teacup, appetite for tea vanished.

"Her grandfather's been found?"

"On her wedding night. He was hospitalized."

Dominic's penetrating gaze swept across the elders. His tone deliberately hinted at hidden truths.

He trusted his uncle and aunt's intelligence. After cleaning up Maxwell's messes for decades, they surely recognized their son's handiwork.

He wanted no dramatic confrontation - just a clear warning.

Evelyn might endure abuse silently, but he wouldn't.

Eleanor's arrogance evaporated, her hands beginning to tremble.

"The situation appears evident. I expect you'll discipline your son and clarify matters with Evelyn - and with us." Reginald rose stiffly, his cane striking the floor with finality.

Frederick escorted the Blackwoods out.

Eleanor remained behind.

The housekeeper hovered nervously in the kitchen doorway, not daring to clear the abandoned tea service.

When the Blackwoods had departed, Frederick lingered at the entrance before returning.

He pointed at the house phone. "Call that worthless son immediately! Tell him I've died and he must arrange my funeral!"

Eleanor hastily complied.

After hanging up, she sat nervously, strategizing damage control.

Over an hour passed.

A car's approach announced Maxwell's return.

CRASH!

The moment Maxwell entered, his father hurled the prized teacup at him.

That exquisite cup Frederick had begged a master artisan to create. Maxwell knew its value even during his imprisonment.

Now shattered at his feet.

His father's fury was unmistakable.

"Explain yourself! Why did Evelyn marry you?" Eleanor dragged her fuming husband to the sofa.

Maxwell frowned. "What other reason exists besides love?"

"Rubbish!" Frederick's neck cords stood out in rage.

"What did the Blackwoods tell you?" Maxwell poured tea with infuriating calm. "That I kidnapped Evelyn's grandfather to force marriage? Are you admitting it?" Frederick turned crimson, reaching for another cup.

"Stop!" Eleanor nearly wept. "Hear him out!"

Maxwell sipped tea, then met his father's gaze. "I didn't abduct her grandfather. That culprit will surface. But I did exploit his disappearance to claim Evelyn as my wife."

"You bastard!" Frederick lunged.

Eleanor restrained him. "He didn't break any laws! Didn't you hear?"

Maxwell rotated his cup, voice turning dark. "If not for prison, Evelyn might've been your daughter-in-law five years ago."

"What did you say?"

Eleanor tried extracting more about how to handle the Blackwoods, but Maxwell's words implied Evelyn bore responsibility, absolving the Lockwoods...

Maxwell stood. "Enough. My personal life is no longer your concern. Even my patience has limits."

"Where are you going?" Eleanor called as he departed.

"To collect my wife." Maxwell knew Evelyn would be at her grandfather's hospital bedside.

He drove straight there, bursting into the ward. The sight didn't surprise him. Alexander was present, as was the boy's father...

Seeing the intruder, Alexander defiantly kissed Evelyn.