Chapter 252

Even gentle Isabella snapped when she saw her mother being assaulted. She seized the nearest broom and swung it hard at Maxwell.

"Evil Uncle Maxwell! You monster! I'll end you!" Her tiny voice shook with fury.

Maxwell hissed in pain as the blow landed on his shin, forcing him to release Evelyn.

Evelyn scrambled away, her lips swollen and bleeding. The hatred in her eyes could have killed Maxwell where he stood.

Maxwell licked his injured tongue. That wildcat nearly bit it off.

Looking down, he found Alexander still clamped onto his leg like a pitbull. The boy had drawn blood.

"That savage cub. Definitely Dominic's spawn."

His gaze shifted to trembling Isabella, who stood guard before Evelyn despite her fear, brandishing the broom like a sword.

A smirk twisted his lips.

"Fascinating little beasts. Just as hot-tempered as their father."

Dominic Blackwood might appear as every woman's aristocratic fantasy - handsome, refined, elegant. But beneath that polished exterior lurked a ruthless predator.

His razor-sharp instincts and cutthroat business tactics made even veteran con artists flee. In mere years, he'd elevated T Corporation from near-collapse to unprecedented dominance.

With T Corporation's tentacles in every industry, the entire business world danced to Dominic's tune. Fellow tycoons called him "The Ice Demon."

Now Alexander and Isabella stood united before Evelyn, glaring at Maxwell like he was some rabid animal.

Their fierce protection moved Evelyn deeply, giving her strength to face Maxwell again.

Meanwhile, Gwendolyn stood utterly bewildered.

From what she understood, her niece was involved with Dominic.

That's what Evelyn had led her to believe.

Yet at her brother's funeral, this Maxwell Lockwood had declared himself Evelyn's husband, even producing a marriage certificate. She'd known nothing of this union.

'If Evelyn is legally married to Maxwell...'

'Then what is her relationship with Dominic?'

'Is my niece committing adultery?'

"Get out, Maxwell Lockwood! The Sinclairs want nothing to do with you! I will divorce you!" Evelyn declared firmly.

"You think the Blackwoods will accept damaged goods after our divorce, Evelyn? Reginald Blackwood values family reputation above all. Do you honestly believe he'd welcome some used-up woman? Dream on! I'd rather die than let you go. Mark my words - you'll return to the Lockwood family with me." Maxwell had descended into madness.

He dabbed his bleeding lip with a napkin, crumpled the bloodied paper, and tossed it aside.

The door slammed shut behind him with enough force to rattle the walls.

Gwendolyn jumped at the noise. Seeing Evelyn's ashen face, she rushed to her side.

"Are you alright, dear?" She fretted. "What was that about? Aren't you seeing Dominic Blackwood? Since when are you married to that man? You never mentioned a husband. Should I call Dominic—"

Evelyn shook her head wearily. "Another time, Aunt Gwendolyn. I just need rest."

The emotional battering had left her drained.

All she craved was peace.

"Of course, go lie down. I'll clean up here." Gwendolyn's heart ached seeing her niece so exhausted.

As she guided Evelyn to bed, the frailty beneath her touch was alarming.

With her brother gone, Evelyn and the twins were all she had left.

Soon she'd be gone too. Then what would become of them?

The children clung to their mother, sensing her distress.

Evelyn closed her eyes, the pain in her chest spreading.

Alexander and Isabella curled against her, clutching her shirt like lifelines.

She held them tight - her only anchors in this storm.

Maxwell's cruel words echoed painfully. Harsh, but true.

The Blackwoods stood atop A City's social hierarchy. Even unmarried, she'd never match Dominic's status.

Dominic might disregard public opinion to marry her, but to the world, she'd always be the fool.

What could she do?

Across town...

The dinner gathering comprised A City's elite.

Dominic knew most attendees, though some were new acquaintances.

He'd reluctantly accepted the last-minute invitation. Now irritation gnawed at him.

Evelyn needed him, yet here he sat, guilt twisting his gut.

At the head table sat Jonathan Prescott, the Provincial Committee Secretary, exuding authority.

Beside him, his daughter Lillian Prescott laughed coquettishly at his remarks.

Lillian's gaze kept drifting to Dominic. Under the chandeliers, his sculpted features looked carved by gods.

She was utterly besotted. This man would be hers - no matter the cost.

Currently, Dominic appeared engrossed in Jonathan's speech.

His striking eyes gleamed with apparent interest, lips curved in a faint smile.

Little did they know his mind was miles away - with a certain heartbroken woman and her fierce little protectors.