Chapter 242

The sleek Bentley glided out of the hospital driveway.

Evelyn's heart swelled as she gazed at the adorable twins. Their presence instantly lifted her spirits.

Dominic wasn't watching the children. His intense gaze remained fixed on Evelyn's face.

She remained oblivious to his attention.

Both children clung to their mother, chattering excitedly.

Dominic's jaw tightened. "Am I invisible now?" he thought bitterly.

A pang of jealousy shot through him.

Isabella pouted dramatically. "When I was three, Great-Aunt Eleanor visited for Christmas with her granddaughters." She tugged at her hair. "They had beautiful braids their mommy made. I cried because I didn't have a mommy then."

Evelyn's heart ached. She pulled Isabella close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I'll braid your hair every morning now, sweetheart."

"Thank you, Mommy!" Isabella snuggled deeper into Evelyn's embrace.

Suddenly, the little girl shivered. An eerie sensation crept down her spine - like someone dangerous was watching her.

Alexander took his turn next. "When Great-Grandfather took me to the park, all the other boys had their mommies giving them water after playing." He wiped his forehead dramatically. "I had to use my sleeve. Then I got in trouble at home."

He'd almost said "Daddy scolded me," but Dominic's warning glare stopped him.

The unspoken accusation hung heavy in the air.

It couldn't have been their doting great-grandfather.

Certainly not the nannies, who knew better than to discipline the patriarch's favorites.

That left only Dominic - the father who'd failed them.

Evelyn didn't glare at Dominic, but her opinion of him dipped slightly.

The neglected father finally cleared his throat.

He fixed the twins with a dark look. "Don't you think you're talking too much?"

The children opened their mouths to apologize, but Evelyn cut in. "Must you always be so harsh with them?"

She'd wanted to say this for ages.

Dominic looked wounded, but remained silent.

The twins exchanged glances. In their household, Daddy ruled supreme.

Until now.

Meanwhile, Lillian met with Maxwell.

Sophia waited nervously in the RV. After last time, she kept her distance from Maxwell.

Lillian had brought only Sophia - a calculated move.

Sophia assumed this meant more torment awaited her.

At the restaurant, Maxwell sliced into his steak. "You're pursuing Dominic Blackwood? That's... unexpected."

High society's elite maintained proper facades, but private lives often differed. Casual encounters weren't uncommon.

If Lillian could land someone of Dominic's caliber, it would elevate her status tremendously.

Maxwell approved - but wondered what made Dominic so irresistible.

Few dared pursue Dominic seriously. First, because he followed no one's rules. Second, opportunities to approach him were rare.

Lillian possessed both beauty and connections. How many women could claim Jonathan Prescott as their father?

After a thoughtful pause, Lillian answered, "I can't explain his appeal. There's simply no one else like him."

Jealousy twisted Maxwell's gut. "He's clearly bewitched you. Succeed, or I'll never respect you again."

Lillian remained composed, but Maxwell recognized her scheming expression.

There was a reason the Prescotts had adopted her specifically. Her cunning nature.

Since joining the Prescott family, Lillian had climbed to stardom through sheer determination.

"I can't promise much help," Maxwell lied. "But as Dominic's childhood friend, I know his preferences."

He'd move heaven and earth to assist Lillian.

If she won Dominic's heart, Evelyn would be discarded.

Then Maxwell could reclaim Evelyn for himself.