Chapter 189

Beatrice Lockwood's sharp eyes darted from her phone screen to the closed apartment door.

Her instincts screamed that something was off since dawn.

Evelyn called but stayed silent...

What game is she playing?

And those sounds—were those... moans?

From Evelyn?

A shudder ran down Beatrice's spine at the thought.

"Open this door right now, Evelyn! I know you're in there!" She couldn't wait to expose the man hiding inside.

Before arriving, she'd confirmed with her brother that Maxwell, her nephew, was still asleep at home.

She also knew Dominic couldn't possibly be here.

Sebastian had assured her his boss had been pulling all-nighters at the office.

According to Sebastian, Dominic was working overtime to clear his schedule before their trip—so he could focus entirely on Evelyn.

The unfairness burned in Beatrice's chest. Neither she, Alexander, nor Isabella had ever received such devotion from him.

And yet, here Evelyn was—betraying them all.

While her husband slept alone, and Dominic slaved away at work, she was entertaining another man at dawn.

Today, Beatrice vowed, Evelyn's deceit would be laid bare.

With renewed fury, she raised her voice. "Don't think I don't know what you're doing in there! I'm not leaving until you open this door! Unless you plan to jump out the window, you'd better face me!"

Her shrill threats echoed through the hallway.

Inside, the rickety wooden bed groaned under the weight of rapid, relentless movement.

Gasping breaths filled the cramped space.

Evelyn fought to stay coherent. Terrified he might lose control completely, she abandoned all restraint and gripped him tightly as he neared his climax.

"Ah—" Dominic's large hands clamped over hers.

The rhythm stuttered, then intensified.

Finally, release.

Leaning against the windowsill, Evelyn stared at the beast of a man before her, struggling to steady her breathing.

She withdrew her hands slowly, cheeks burning.

The blanket barely covered her trembling form.

Dominic exhaled sharply, savoring the moment before swallowing hard and opening his eyes.

The heat in his gaze could have melted steel.

The air between them crackled with tension, all barriers obliterated.

When Evelyn tried to look away, his fingers caught her chin, forcing her to meet his lips in a searing kiss.

He devoured her until her mouth ached, then trailed fire down her neck, his breath scorching her skin—

Outside, Beatrice's patience snapped.

She dialed Evelyn's number again.

It rang. No answer.

Fists clenched, she raised her hand to pound the door—

It swung open.

Evelyn stood there, clad in modest cotton pajamas.

Beatrice's eyes narrowed, then dropped to the pair of men's leather shoes by the door.

Her fashion-trained eye recognized the brand instantly—handcrafted, exorbitantly priced.

"Impressive. You've landed yourself a wealthy lover?" Her voice dripped with disdain.

Evelyn closed the door behind her.

She fetched slippers, offering them silently.

Beatrice kicked them aside, striding into the living room in her heels before tossing her purse onto the couch.

"Where is he? Too cowardly to show his face?"

She was ready. If this man was anyone of importance in the city's elite circles, she'd use her status as Dominic's mother to humiliate him publicly.

"There's no one here," Evelyn said calmly, placing a glass of water on the coffee table.

Beatrice ignored it. "No one?"

Evelyn nodded.

Beatrice's gaze flicked to the closed bedroom door, then back to the shoes. "Then explain those."

"Your son left them here last time. Sebastian brought him a new pair after Isabella spilled water on them."

"You shameless liar!" Beatrice hurled the glass aside and lunged. Before Evelyn could react, she tore the pajama top open.

"What the hell—?" Evelyn recoiled.

"No man? Then what are these?" Beatrice pointed at the vivid marks littering Evelyn's skin.

Her neck. Collarbones. Shoulders.

Evidence of passion, raw and undeniable.

SMACK!

The slap echoed through the apartment.

"Married to my nephew, yet whoring around at dawn? You disgust me!" Beatrice raised her hand again—

Evelyn caught her wrist mid-air.

Her voice turned icy. "Haven't I always been the villain in your eyes? First, I supposedly seduced your son—my brother, according to you. When that failed, I married your nephew—another relative. You've called me every vile name imaginable. So why wait until now to hit me? Why not do it in front of the Blackwoods and Lockwoods?"

Beatrice paled. Her hand trembled.

She'd come to expose an affair, not reveal Evelyn's connection to their family.

If this got out, the scandal would ruin her.

Too late.

The bedroom door creaked open.

A man stepped out—immaculate in a tailored suit, his presence freezing the room solid.