Chapter 196

Sebastian Whitmore was waiting outside the school gates when Evelyn's message came through. The Blackwood twins would be out any minute now.

"Uncle Sebastian!" Isabella came running out first, throwing herself into his arms.

He scooped her up effortlessly with one arm while taking Alexander's hand with the other. Together, they walked toward the sleek black car parked nearby.

"When will Daddy pick us up again?" Alexander asked, though he already knew the answer.

Dominic Blackwood was always busy. Even when he was home, he was distant—more like a shadow than a father.

Now that he had finally started warming up to them, he'd vanished without a word for two whole days.

Isabella, now buckled into her seat, turned wide eyes toward Sebastian, waiting for his response.

Sebastian shut the car door firmly before answering. "Your father has urgent business. I'll ask him when he can make time."

He slid into the driver's seat, started the engine, and sent Evelyn's intel straight to Dominic.

Ten minutes later, new instructions arrived.

The twins exchanged confused glances as the car veered onto an unfamiliar road.

"Uncle Sebastian, this isn't the way home," Alexander said, straining against his seatbelt to peer out the window.

Sebastian's grip on the wheel tightened. "We're going to see your father."

Meanwhile, in the small town...

Evelyn Sinclair wiped down the last dish with more force than necessary.

The courtyard had gone quiet after the Porsche's arrival. Her colleagues, sensing tension, had discreetly retreated to their rooms.

Maxwell Lockwood leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching her. "First time I've seen you do housework since we got married. When are you cooking for your in-laws?"

Evelyn ignored him, slamming the teacup into the cupboard.

She dried her hands and strode toward the stairs, only for Maxwell to grab her wrist from behind.

"Let go!" she snapped, twisting free.

His grip was iron, his smile deceptively pleasant. "Must we always fight? We're husband and wife."

"Since when?" Evelyn scoffed. "Show me the marriage certificate, and I'll show you scrap paper."

She yanked her hand away.

Upstairs, her colleagues watched through closed windows as the argument unfolded silently below.

Back in her room, Evelyn locked the door and pulled her laptop onto the small floor table.

Her phone rang—Victor Langley, the high-profile lawyer.

"Evelyn," he said without preamble. "Send me your location. I'm coming now."

"Can't this wait until tomorrow?"

"Dominic's orders. He wants progress on the divorce."

Evelyn's gaze flicked to the window, where Maxwell was playing with a stray puppy.

So that was why Victor couldn't meet Maxwell in the city.

Maxwell must have suspected Victor was working for Dominic.

Now that Maxwell was here, Victor could corner him.

She sent her location.

An hour later, darkness fell.

Maxwell knocked on her door.

Evelyn hesitated. If she refused, he might leave—and Victor would miss him.

She unlocked the door and returned to her work.

"Too busy for me?" Maxwell entered, glancing around before sitting cross-legged on the floor.

Eventually, he stretched out, his gaze drifting from her laptop to her face.

By the time Victor arrived, Maxwell was asleep.

"Apologies for disturbing you, Mr. Lockwood," Victor said smoothly.

Maxwell's eyes snapped open, landing on the lawyer's face.

"Took some effort to track you down," Victor continued, setting a stack of papers between them. "But worth it."

Maxwell scanned the divorce agreement, then the empty room.

Evelyn was gone.

His jaw tightened. She set me up.