Chapter 246
After Sophia was taken away by the police, Lillian barely managed to finish her remaining scenes with half-hearted effort.
The emotional breakdown scene required reshoots from dawn till dusk, yet the director remained unsatisfied.
"Let's call it a day. Go home, rest, and reflect on the scene. We'll try again tomorrow," the director told the leads with visible disappointment.
Lillian had no intention of analyzing her performance. She wanted nothing more than to escape the set immediately.
While her acting career mattered, securing a meeting with Dominic to finalize their marriage plans took precedence.
As her trailer prepared to depart, Lillian dialed Maxwell's number.
Maxwell was engaged in a chess match with his father at home.
Lorraine smiled contentedly watching father and son bond over the game, serving them refreshments between moves.
When Maxwell's phone rang, he answered without looking away from the chessboard. "Yes?"
"Where are you? Can we meet?" Lillian's voice came through.
"Not tonight. Tomorrow perhaps. I'm in the middle of a close game with Father."
After speaking, Maxwell made his decisive move.
Frederick chuckled, lifting a piece but hesitating. Though puzzled by his son's sudden visit, he welcomed the quality time.
"Fine, we'll talk now. Did you know... Robert Sinclair passed away?"
Maxwell straightened abruptly. "What? Evelyn's father is dead? Where did you hear this?"
"So you weren't informed. I investigated after the police took Sophia away. They said she's responsible for his death. Two days ago—"
Maxwell ended the call before she could finish.
Both Frederick, still holding his chess piece, and Lorraine, midway through peeling an apple, overheard the shocking news.
"How did Robert die?" Lorraine gasped, accidentally nicking her finger with the knife.
"Careful now," Frederick said, rising from his seat.
Their housekeeper rushed over with the first aid kit to bandage the minor cut.
Maxwell grabbed his jacket, face dark. "Details are unclear. I'll get them from Evelyn."
He knew she wouldn't answer his calls.
But that wouldn't stop him from trying.
As he reached his car, Lorraine hurried out with her coat. "I'm coming with you."
Maxwell stopped her. "No. I'll update you when I learn more." He couldn't bear Evelyn's coldness toward his mother.
No parent should witness their child being rejected by their spouse.
It would only worsen their already strained relationship.
All night, Maxwell's calls went unanswered until his phone died.
He'd located the hospital where Robert had been admitted. Upon arrival, staff informed him Evelyn had left.
Presenting their marriage certificate, Maxwell identified himself as the deceased's son-in-law, demanding details about the death.
A nurse who followed celebrity gossip recognized him as Evelyn's husband.
She disclosed everything she knew.
Maxwell's expression turned icy. He'd known Sophia was vile, but this exceeded his worst expectations.
The incident in Robert Sinclair's ward had become hospital gossip, known by all staff.
Armed with the facts, Maxwell left the hospital.
He didn't return home or seek solace in a bar. Instead, he parked near the hospital entrance.
A Volkswagen Golf had just occupied the spot.
Maxwell approached the driver, offering a thick stack of bills. "Mind parking elsewhere? I need this spot."
The driver gaped at the money and the intense man before him.
'Is this for real?'
'It's just a regular parking space!'
Taking the cash, he drove off without protest.
Maxwell sat in his idling car, heater running, cigarette lit, staring at the hospital entrance.
He could've gone home and returned at dawn.
But his turbulent thoughts demanded he secure the perfect vantage point to intercept Evelyn first thing.
The nurse mentioned Robert's cremation was scheduled for tomorrow.
For Maxwell, the night dragged unbearably. For Evelyn, it passed too quickly.
A nightmare startled Evelyn awake.
She'd dreamed of her school days, with Victoria and Sophia bullying her mercilessly.
The lunch money hidden in her backpack—stolen by Sophia!
The emergency cash sewn into her uniform—snatched by Victoria!
The dream shifted abruptly.
They stood in a courtroom. Victoria and Sophia begged her to drop the lawsuit, and in a moment of weakness, she agreed.
But reality differed. After hearing Victor's legal counsel, Evelyn vowed never to forgive them!
Rising, she prepared breakfast while muttering, "Never mind... Dreams show the opposite..."
Isabella, rubbing sleep from her eyes, asked, "What's the opposite, Mommy?"
Evelyn turned to answer when she noticed the man in the doorway.
Dominic stood there, freshly shaven and impeccably dressed in a tailored suit.
He placed a distinctive black card with a gold stripe on the counter. "Keep this safe. It's my supplementary card."
Evelyn stared at the luxurious card, speechless.
Could dreams truly reveal opposites?
She'd dreamed of losing all her money, yet here she was being handed unlimited funds.
Evelyn knew she'd never max out this card's limit...
"If you have time, take the children winter clothes shopping. My schedule's packed." Dominic anticipated her refusal, using the children as justification.
As expected, Evelyn couldn't refuse when the children's needs were cited. She couldn't afford their winter wardrobe alone...