Chapter 201
The sleek Bentley limousine remained parked outside the courtyard instead of driving in.
Dominic wasn't behind the wheel today.
Sebastian stepped out after parking and opened the rear door with practiced ease.
The CEO emerged with his two children in tow.
As always, Dominic looked impeccable in his tailored suit and polished leather shoes. Yet there was an unusual spark in his eyes, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly as if privy to some delightful secret.
Isabella nestled in her father's arms, breathing in his familiar cologne, while Alexander dashed ahead excitedly with his backpack bouncing.
"Good morning, handsome young man!" One of the female staff members called out.
'This trip was absolutely worth it!'
'The accommodations might not be five-star, but getting to see the boss's striking features and adorable kids?'
'Pure bliss!'
Alexander scanned the crowd but didn't spot Miss Evelyn. Still, he remembered his manners. "Good morning, lovely lady!"
The compliment made the woman beam.
Julian took charge, maintaining order amidst the morning chaos.
He approached Sebastian for a handshake.
As everyone settled for breakfast, a female colleague noticed Dominic walking alone toward the two-story dormitory building.
His right hand carried what appeared to be a takeaway bag.
'The CEO personally delivering breakfast to his cousin's wife...'
Truth was, Sebastian hadn't had time to eat before driving. The children had woken at dawn, insisting on coming along.
"Isabella, what would you like for breakfast?" Sebastian gestured with both hands - toast and milk on one side, steamed buns and oatmeal on the other.
"Oatmeal, please." Isabella pulled a picture book from her backpack, showing the adults. "Daddy got this for me. I'll earn full points if I read it..."
Upstairs in her room...
Evelyn didn't stir from the commotion below or the knock at her door. It was her vibrating phone that finally roused her.
She'd been having phone issues lately - the device shutting off randomly despite having 60% battery.
She'd considered ordering a new one online or visiting a reputable store in town.
Answering calls had become a game of chance...
The caller ID showed an unknown number, but she answered anyway.
"Evelyn? It's Lorraine, your mother-in-law." The voice came through clearly.
Evelyn curled deeper into her blanket. "I recognize your voice. What can I do for you?" Her tone remained polite yet distant.
Lorraine bristled at the formal address. It felt like Evelyn was deliberately keeping the Tanner family at arm's length.
"Let me be direct. My son informed me you're carrying his child. As both your mother-in-law and a woman who's been through pregnancy, I advise you to rest more. Why work in that backwater town when you could have comfortable employment in A City?"
She'd expected Maxwell to bring Evelyn back yesterday.
Instead, her son returned alone.
Maxwell had avoided her questions, drowning his sorrows at a bar with friends until dawn.
He'd only woken in the afternoon.
Concerned for her supposed grandchild, Lorraine made the call.
Evelyn felt groggy and parched. She sat up, phone pressed to her ear.
Entering the tiny bathroom, she rinsed with mouthwash, immediately feeling more alert. "What child? There must be some misunderstanding."
Before she could explain, Lorraine's phone pinged with a delivery notification.
"Wait, I'm coming!" Lorraine exclaimed.
Evelyn didn't respond or hang up. She wasn't sure how seriously to take Lorraine's pregnancy assumption, but she needed to clarify the misunderstanding.
Meanwhile in A City, Lorraine signed for the package while keeping an eye on her call screen, ensuring Evelyn hadn't disconnected.
The recipient name read "Evelyn Sinclair."
On impulse - perhaps suspecting her daughter-in-law of deception - she opened it.
The lightweight package contained only a single sheet.
A medical examination report.
As a former office worker, Lorraine recognized it as the standard employee health check. That's how she'd first learned of her own pregnancy with Maxwell.
Many newlywed women discovered their condition through such routine exams.
Scanning the report, Lorraine found no indicators of pregnancy.
Evelyn's words echoed: "What child? There must be some misunderstanding."
The realization hit - her son had lied to gain parental support!
Back in the small town...
Sebastian received a delivery confirmation during breakfast.
Upstairs...
Evelyn prepared to explain when she realized Lorraine had ended the call.
She stood frozen in the bathroom momentarily before checking the time. Despite feeling unwell, work awaited.
Tucking her phone away, she washed her face with cleansing foam.
As she patted dry, movement caught her eye - a man now occupied her modest room.
Dominic placed the takeaway bag on the table, steam still rising from its contents.
Water droplets clung to Evelyn's flawless complexion - those delicate brows, soulful eyes, lips slightly swollen from last night's passion...
Her hand froze mid-motion. She'd expected this confrontation, just not so soon.
Before she could react, Dominic closed the distance, crushing her against him in a searing kiss as he kicked the bathroom door shut.
"Mmm...ah..."
The embers of last night's passion reignited instantly.
Shameful memories assaulted their senses, demolishing all restraint.
Dominic devoured Evelyn's lips hungrily. After last night's struggle, his suppressed desire had erupted uncontrollably. Nipping her earlobe, he growled, "I love the sounds you make..."