Chapter 237
Dominic pressed the burning cigarette onto Sophia's flawless cheek.
She gasped, hands flying to cover the searing pain. Her perfectly shaped brows furrowed in agony.
The towering figure before her seemed to materialize from the shadows. It took her dazed mind several seconds to process his words...
Is he defending Evelyn?
Does he think I'm someone else?
"You... you're insane!" Victoria shrieked. She didn't recognize Dominic, but his dangerous aura screamed trouble.
Even if he had a grudge, he shouldn't have targeted Sophia.
Even if he wanted to hurt Sophia, a slap would've sufficed. Not this. Not branding her like cattle.
Victoria had traded on her looks at Sophia's age. Now she depended on her daughter's beauty. If that face got ruined, their meal ticket vanished.
She thrashed against the security guards, desperate to inspect the damage. Useless.
"Stay down!"
A guard shoved Victoria into a chair. Her skull cracked against the wall.
"Oww! I think I have a concussion!" she wailed, rubbing her head. "Help! This brute is attacking a helpless woman!"
"Silence."
The guard gripped her jaw, reducing her protests to muffled whimpers.
Dominic had dealt with every variety of snake in the business world. But these two? They redefined despicable.
Sebastian and the team handled the corridor chaos. Dominic turned, shrugging off his coat to drape over Evelyn's shoulders. Let the onlookers stare.
Sophia still clutched her stinging cheek. Through tear-blurred vision, she watched the scene unfold.
Recognition dawned.
That commanding presence. That unshakable authority.
After frantic mental searching, the name surfaced: Dominic Blackwood.
The titles flooded back. Business prodigy. T Corporation's CEO. A City's wealthiest man. Youngest self-made billionaire.
Her mind reeled.
Evelyn knows HIM?
A hysterical laugh bubbled up. The contrast was absurd.
How could someone like Dominic Blackwood be connected to that pathetic, malnourished bookworm?
Evelyn had been the girl clutching stale bread while Sophia dined on Oreos in the cafeteria spotlight.
The police station was nearby. Officers arrived within minutes of the call.
Victoria faked illness. Standard criminal playbook. The cops weren't fooled.
Sophia ignored her mother's hissed instructions during the ride.
She'd dropped out young, targeting rich boys at clubs. Endured their humiliating dares. Drank until she vomited. Let them grope her in back rooms.
All for one goal: snag a wealthy boyfriend.
And now Evelyn—that scholarship charity case—was wrapped in Dominic Blackwood's coat?
Another broken laugh escaped.
At the hospital, Dominic clenched the DNA report. Not the right moment to show Evelyn.
What should've been joyous news came shadowed by her father's death.
The test confirmed it: Evelyn was Alexander and Isabella's mother. No doubt lingered in Dominic's heart.
Not now. Not five years ago. Not even back in their school days.
His life held regrets. Neglectful parents. Children born outside marriage. A motherless upbringing.
But one sacred space remained untouched in his soul—labeled in bold: First Love.
By that metric, he counted himself luckier than most men.
Evelyn had finally collapsed onto the hospital bed, following the doctor's orders.
She'd ripped out her IV earlier when demanding security footage. Now her hand swelled, forcing a new needle into the other arm.
Dominic gripped the footboard, watching silent tears trail down her closed eyelids.
Sebastian waited by the door. Dominic leaned close, whispering, "Rest. I'll handle everything."
He left with the DNA report still crumpled in his fist.
The morning's critical meeting had been postponed twice. Now Dominic sat in the Bentley's backseat as it pulled away.
"Don't take Alexander and Isabella home after school," he instructed. "Bring them to my office."
Sebastian nodded. "Understood."
Is he finally telling them about their mother?
The thought warmed him. Those kids calling him "Uncle Sebastian" would finally know the truth.
And he'd stake his life on one certainty: Evelyn Sinclair was that truth.