Chapter 234

Passing out from extreme grief was medically expected for hypoglycemia patients.

From Dominic's understanding, hypoglycemia wasn't life-threatening anyway.

When Sebastian informed him about Evelyn's collapse, instead of stepping into the hallway, he chose to deliver his findings right there in the hospital room.

"Before Mr. Sinclair's condition deteriorated, his wife brought their daughter to visit him..."

Sebastian carefully watched his employer's reaction.

Dominic turned sharply. "His wife and daughter came?"

"Yes. His wife is Victoria Montgomery, and their daughter is Sophia Sinclair. They share the same surname, but Sophia isn't his biological child. Victoria was already pregnant by her ex when she married Mr. Sinclair," Sebastian explained.

Dominic's frown deepened. This couldn't be coincidence.

Sebastian continued, "Mrs. Montgomery told security they needed to discuss ownership of their old townhouse. She claimed she'd been working multiple jobs to support the family and Mr. Sinclair's treatments, only finding time to visit today. The guard considered it urgent and permitted entry after verifying with Mr. Sinclair."

Dominic's expression darkened with each word.

On the bed, Evelyn's eyelashes fluttered.

Meanwhile at Robert's apartment...

Victoria unlocked the door mechanically, dropped her purse, and changed into slippers. She paced the living room muttering, "What now? How could he die so suddenly? This must be a nightmare."

Sophia watched her mother's frantic pacing with growing dread. She sat stiffly on the couch, unable to calm her racing heart.

Robert had seemed fine when they left the hospital. He'd even promised to transfer the house deed within the week.

They'd celebrated with a cab ride admiring the autumn foliage, even stopping at the mall.

Then the hospital called as they were leaving.

Robert had listed them as emergency contacts.

Victoria froze when the nurse said "passed away." She held the phone numbly for a full minute before stammering, "C-could you repeat that? He's... gone?"

Now home, Victoria suddenly whirled on Sophia. "I told you not to provoke him! Didn't you see how violently he was coughing? You knew he was critically ill!"

Sophia hung her head, tears falling - not from grief, but fear of consequences.

"I didn't mean... who knew he'd die so fast..."

After thirty motionless minutes, Sophia abruptly stood.

While Victoria lay nursing a migraine, her daughter booted up her computer.

Sophia frantically searched whether verbal provocation constituted a crime.

The childhood rhyme "Sticks and stones..." echoed in her mind. But what if words actually killed?

A legal website provided answers in dense jargon she barely understood.

Finally, a chat window popped up. Sophia typed her situation hastily and hit send.

[Depends on location. Public insults causing death could mean manslaughter charges. Private conversations carry no liability.]

Sophia's hands shook.

'It was a closed hospital room with just us three. That's private, right?'

But the realization still chilled her: 'My words killed Dad.'

After convincing herself it was private, some tension eased - though fear still gripped her throat.

"Get up, Mom!" Sophia yanked Victoria upright. "We're returning to the hospital."

"Why?" Victoria's headache spiked at the word.

"You're Evelyn's stepmother. We must show remorse, even if faked. Otherwise..." Sophia's tear-filled eyes betrayed her panic.

Meanwhile, on the hospital rooftop...

Renowned lawyer Victor Langley arrived after Sebastian's call.

After briefing, he approached Dominic, who stood smoking with his back turned.

"How do you want this handled?" Victor asked.

Dominic turned, eyes blazing. "You know exactly how."

"I do. But are you certain you want to destroy them irreparably?" Victor studied his friend, marveling at love's transformative power.

This marked the second time the elite lawyer had been personally summoned for Dominic's woman.

Dominic's expression turned deadly. He pointed his cigarette at Victor. "They've earned this."