Chapter 235
Dominic didn't bother trying to persuade his friend again. Walter was as stubborn as they came - once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.
Grabbing his briefcase, Dominic left the rooftop without another word.
Meanwhile, Sebastian was on the phone downstairs. He gave several curt nods, muttered affirmations, provided the hospital address, then ended the call.
As he pocketed his phone, he turned and nearly jumped at the sight of Evelyn's ghostly pale face. Steeling himself, he approached. "The DNA results are ready, Mr. Blackwood."
Dominic took one last drag of his cigarette before crushing it. "Hand them over."
With a nod, Sebastian headed downstairs to retrieve the official report from the lab technician.
He made no attempt to peek at the contents.
As Dominic's right-hand man, professionalism dictated he maintain appropriate boundaries. Some secrets weren't meant to be known.
Curiosity had killed many assistants before him. He intended to keep breathing.
The moment Dominic and Sebastian left her hospital room, Evelyn's eyes snapped open.
This marked the first time her hypoglycemia had ever caused complete unconsciousness.
As a teenager living with her grandfather, she'd experienced dizziness and tremors, but always recovered after resting briefly.
Back then, she'd hide in her room to cry anyway, so no one noticed her episodes - though her pallor often drew comments.
Whenever her father Robert remarked on her sickly appearance, Victoria would interject: "She's stuffing herself with junk food instead of proper meals! Just look at that pasty complexion!"
"I don't eat junk food." Young Evelyn had learned early to defend herself.
Not that it mattered. Victoria wouldn't have believed her anyway.
She'd directed those words toward her father.
Of the four people in that household, Evelyn had been closest to Robert.
Yet he always sided with Victoria. "How many times must I tell you? Junk food will ruin your health! Your grandfather clearly spoiled you rotten back home."
Her kind, frugal grandfather would be dragged into it too.
That's when Evelyn learned the futility of explaining herself to those determined not to understand.
Motherless since childhood, with an absent father, she'd never suffered hypoglycemia during her grandfather's care. Small-town life might have been simple, but she'd eaten fresh vegetables from their garden and meat from the local market.
At least she'd received proper nutrition then.
Even when bullied in middle school, she'd never lost consciousness.
After moving to the city, Victoria cooked lavish meals only for Sophia. Evelyn survived on leftovers - when there were any, which was rare.
Dry white bread became her staple. Eventually, she grew accustomed to the taste.
College brought financial struggles, leaving no money for nightclubs like Sophia frequented. A small mercy, sparing her from darker human experiences.
Remembering her past filled Evelyn with complicated emotions.
She'd ultimately surrendered to harsh reality, willingly selling her body when her father fell critically ill - though her reasons differed entirely from Sophia's.
Nothing proved more pitiful than someone who'd given up completely.
After contacting the broker and enduring pregnancy, childbirth, and countless sleepless nights for her mysterious benefactor...
Discovering Dominic Blackwood as that man brought some relief.
But what if her benefactor had been some vile, perverted old man instead?
Would she have found equal comfort then?
Those five years would have remained nightmares.
To bear Dominic Blackwood's children rather than some degenerate's...
Most women would consider themselves fortunate in her position.
Yet Evelyn couldn't forgive herself for that transaction.
No happy ending could erase that truth.
Lost in thought, she walked down the corridor to the doctor's office. A knock, then she entered.
Earlier, Sebastian hadn't realized Evelyn overheard his conversation with Dominic.
The doctor hesitated when Evelyn made her request.
Private hospitals prioritized patient service above all else.
"Robert Sinclair is my father, Doctor. Are you saying I have no right to know what happened to him?" Evelyn's voice wavered weakly.
The doctor reached for his phone, about to call someone.
Evelyn stopped him. "Please don't notify my friend. I fear he'll prevent me from seeing the security footage. Surely I have that right? I appreciate everything you've done for my father, which is why I'd rather avoid involving lawyers..."
Her implication was clear.
After brief consideration, the doctor nodded. Nothing illegal about granting her request.
Ten minutes later, Evelyn held a copy of the security footage - the original had gone to Mr. Blackwood.
She pressed play.
Her hands trembled before she'd watched halfway.
'Victoria and Sophia. How greedy can they get?'
'After everything the Sinclairs gave them all these years. Does that adulteress deserve more, after betraying her husband during his cancer battle?'
Sophia's venomous voice rang out: "Now that I mention it, Uncle Robert, you must remember."
Robert appeared significantly weaker than earlier in the footage. Where he'd been coughing and struggling before, now he lay gasping...
Sophia continued coldly, "Think carefully, Uncle Sinclair. Five years ago when you were hospitalized, didn't Evelyn disappear for weeks? She was servicing some old pervert. Got pregnant and hid it from you. That's why she barely visited - always wearing baggy clothes when she came. Never wondered about her strange behavior?"