Chapter 305

The Grand Marquis Hotel.

Dominic Blackwood had learned from his aunt Beatrice that his cousin Maxwell was attending a business conference at the luxury hotel. Without hesitation, he headed straight there.

He waited patiently in the lobby until the meeting concluded. When the doors opened, Dominic immediately spotted Maxwell emerging with his entourage of executives.

Each person in the group was accomplished in their own right, yet Maxwell's commanding presence and unreadable expression made him stand out effortlessly.

"Maxwell," Frederick Lockwood called out.

Recognizing his uncle, Maxwell dismissed his associates with a wave. The lobby emptied quickly, leaving only the two men standing amidst the marble columns.

"Is there something you need, Uncle Frederick?" Maxwell asked, though he already knew the purpose of this visit.

"Tell me what I've done to offend you, Maxwell. Are you determined to destroy my life's work? What must I do to make you spare Lockwood Enterprises?" Frederick's voice carried the weight of desperation.

The past few days had aged Frederick visibly. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and new wrinkles creased his forehead. His company teetered on the brink of collapse, and he found himself begging his nephew for mercy.

Dominic's lips curled into a cold smile. "You're asking the wrong person, Uncle. If you want answers, go ask that precious son of yours."

Had Maxwell simply signed the divorce papers and promised to leave Evelyn Sinclair alone, Dominic might have shown mercy. Family ties alone prevented him from completely annihilating Lockwood Enterprises.

But Maxwell had crossed a line this time. By targeting not just Evelyn but also involving Alexander and Isabella, Dominic had moved swiftly to cripple the company.

Frederick's face turned ashen. "Maxwell? What has that useless boy done now?" His hands trembled at his sides.

"Your son hired people to spread malicious lies online, damaging both my reputation and Evelyn's. Worse, he dragged my children into this. They're innocent in all this. Consider this your final warning - discipline him before I'm forced to."

The revelation hit Frederick like a physical blow. He staggered back, bracing himself against a nearby pillar. "You're doing all this... for Evelyn Sinclair?"

Dominic nodded once.

"How could you turn against your own family for some woman?" Frederick's voice cracked with disbelief. He'd always admired his nephew's business acumen.

Why would the normally rational Dominic become so unreasonable over a woman? And to attack his uncle's company because of her?

Frederick never imagined his decades of business experience could be undone so quickly by his nephew. Lockwood Enterprises had stood for nearly thirty years - how could it collapse in mere days?

"You have twenty-four hours, Uncle. The company might survive if Maxwell signs the divorce agreement. Otherwise, don't blame me for what comes next." With that, Dominic strode past his uncle without another glance.

Frederick's hands shook as he dialed Beatrice's number.

At Blackwood Manor, Beatrice Lockwood sat rigidly on an antique chaise lounge, her expression stormy. The only other occupants were her son and the household staff.

The matriarch's teacup sat untouched before her as she glared at Dominic across the coffee table.

"Mother." Dominic remained unfazed by her obvious displeasure.

"Don't call me that!" Beatrice snapped. "I have no son who would betray his own family! Frederick is your uncle - how could you attack his company?"

Dominic remained calm. "Lockwood Enterprises was already failing. Outdated management, poor decisions, stubborn leadership. Their financial records are a disaster. Even without my intervention, they wouldn't have lasted another two years."

"I don't care about any of that!" Beatrice slammed her palm on the table. "You will not lay another finger on your uncle's company!"

Her anger stemmed more from self-preservation than true familial concern. Coming from humble beginnings, Beatrice had clawed her way into high society through marriage. Without Lockwood Enterprises as her backing, she'd lose what little standing she had among the elite.

Just as Beatrice prepared another tirade, a melodic voice interrupted from the doorway.

"Aunt Beatrice? I came to visit you."

Dominic's expression darkened instantly at the sound.

Beatrice's face lit up. "Lillian! Come in, darling!" she called eagerly.

Lillian Prescott glided into the room, dressed in an elegant white fur coat with subtle makeup - precisely the demure look Beatrice favored.

The older woman's eyes gleamed with approval as she took in the perfect candidate for her daughter-in-law...