Chapter 175

Evelyn kept her head down as she ate breakfast, listening to the lively chatter between the grown-up and the twins. A part of her wanted to chime in - to describe how charming the countryside could be.

There were simple joys city children rarely experienced.

"Aunt Evie..." "Aunt Evie please..."

The pleading voices of Alexander and Isabella tugged at her heartstrings.

The clever twins knew their stubborn father would only listen to Aunt Evie. They needed her help convincing him.

Dominic's stern expression softened when his gaze landed on Evelyn. His tone shifted completely from the firm parental voice he'd used moments earlier. "Other children started school weeks ago. These two are already behind."

Evelyn's eyes widened. "Then you really should attend classes..."

The twins' faces fell instantly.

At eight sharp, Dominic called Blackwood Manor.

All school supplies and uniforms were prepared in advance.

Sebastian arrived promptly to collect everything.

The butler greeted him at the gates of the estate where the family was breakfasting.

From the hallway, Sebastian overheard Beatrice Lockwood's anxious voice.

"Father, I adore Evelyn, but think of the scandal! The Blackwoods can't afford this kind of publicity. My family might weather the storm, but your reputation—"

The elder Blackwood set down his spoon with deliberate calm. "Truth favors the bold. That Lockwood boy deserves every consequence coming his way."

Beatrice's porcelain skin flushed. "I'm a Blackwood now! Must you humiliate my entire family? Maxwell could lose everything!"

"Self-inflicted wounds," the patriarch retorted, accepting his cane from a maid. His rheumatism had been acting up with the changing seasons.

Margaret Lockwood descended the staircase in silk pajamas, smirking at her daughter-in-law's distress. "Typical Lockwood behavior. A mistress clawing her way to legitimacy suddenly thinks she owns the place—"

"Enough!" Beatrice slammed her palms on the table.

Margaret merely accepted a bowl of porridge from a maid. "Screaming won't change your roots, dear. Your family's always been trash beneath my shoes."

Sebastian and the butler entered discreetly, clearing their throats.

After a respectful nod to both women, Sebastian followed a maid upstairs for the children's belongings.

Meanwhile, Evelyn accompanied Dominic and the twins outside.

She planned to stop by her office first before handing the children to Sebastian.

Dominic's luxury sedan waited in the residential parking lot. After buckling in the pouting twins, he opened the passenger door for Evelyn.

Remembering last night's conversation, Evelyn hesitated. "Aren't you worried about paparazzi?"

She dreaded becoming tabloid fodder alongside him.

The inevitable backlash from his admirers would be brutal.

"I'll be more discreet next time." His hand at her waist gave a playful pinch - their private language.

Blushing, Evelyn quickly slid into her seat.

As they neared her workplace, she insisted on disembarking early - their agreed arrangement.

Dominic pulled over as promised.

"Be good at school, okay?" Evelyn leaned into the backseat to console the miserable twins.

Two dejected nods answered her. "Okay..."

"Such brave kids!" Stepping back onto the sidewalk, she waved with an encouraging smile.

As the car pulled away, Dominic's gaze lingered on her shrinking figure in the rearview mirror.

"Daddy, eyes on the road," Isabella chided with one eye open.

By nine, T Corporation buzzed with activity.

Evelyn stored a new marker in her desk drawer. Settling in, she wondered how the twins were adjusting to school.

Her morning passed in a blur of productivity.

At noon, her department head announced an unexpected assignment - Evelyn and select colleagues would accompany executives to an emerging township.

While others buzzed with excitement, Evelyn remained composed. She'd treat this like any other project.

Truthfully, she hesitated to leave the city, thinking of how the twins relied on her. When Dominic entrusted them to her care, she poured maternal affection into compensating for their absent mother.

She researched the township until lunch. With Abigail absent, Evelyn joined other colleagues in the cafeteria.

Loading her tray with pasta and vegetables, she was about to join the lively conversation when a distinguished stranger approached.

"Miss Sinclair?" The bespectacled man in a tailored suit extended a business card. "Victor Langley. Might we speak privately?"

Evelyn's breath caught.

Victor Langley - one of the most formidable attorneys in the country!

He sat with effortless elegance and cut straight to the point. "Per Mr. Blackwood's instructions, you must file for divorce immediately."