Chapter 345

Lillian Prescott woke with a start, her body aching as if she'd been trampled by wild horses.

The lavish hotel suite was eerily silent.

She winced as she tried to sit up, her lower body screaming in protest. The sheets were tangled beneath her, stained with evidence of last night's passion.

Memories flooded back - strong hands, heated whispers, Dominic Blackwood's face hovering above her in the darkness.

A flush crept up her neck.

Dominic had been... incredible. Far more intense than she'd imagined. He'd taken her roughly, ignoring her pleas when she'd grown overwhelmed. Yet the pleasure had been unlike anything she'd ever experienced.

Her phone buzzed violently on the nightstand. Her agent again. Lillian swiped it away with a huff.

Then Genevieve Prescott's name flashed on the screen.

"Mother," Lillian answered, forcing sweetness into her voice.

"Where are you?" Genevieve's tone was clipped. "Your father is furious. Leaving your grandfather's birthday without a word? Not coming home?"

Lillian's stomach twisted. Jonathan Prescott's anger was the last thing she needed.

"An emergency meeting with the film investors," she lied smoothly. "I'll make it up to Father. You know I adore you most, Mother. Please cover for me?"

Genevieve sighed. "Don't make this a habit, Lillian. You're my only daughter."

The call ended, leaving Lillian uneasy. But it was worth it. She'd finally gotten Dominic where she wanted him.

After ordering clothes from room service, she interrogated the front desk.

"The gentleman prefers anonymity," the clerk said firmly.

Lillian smirked. Of course Dominic would be discreet. Only someone of his status could book this exclusive suite.

She hurried to Blackwood Manor, her car crawling through snow-clogged streets. Every second stretched unbearably.

Meanwhile, breakfast at Blackwood Manor was tense.

Evelyn Sinclair kept her eyes down, painfully aware of Beatrice Lockwood's disapproving glare. Dominic's grip on her hand was the only thing keeping her from bolting.

Reginald Blackwood studied Evelyn's exhausted face as Dominic spoke:

"Grandfather, you've wanted more children in this house. Evelyn and I worked all night to make that happen. Surely she deserves extra rest?"

Evelyn nearly choked, digging her nails into Dominic's palm.

Reginald's expression softened slightly. He'd initially liked Evelyn, until her messy past with Maxwell Lockwood complicated things. But she was the mother of his great-grandchildren, and Dominic clearly adored her.

Beatrice turned away, seething.

Margaret Lockwood's mind raced. If Dominic married Evelyn, their future children would control the family fortune. She needed Julian married immediately - she couldn't let Beatrice gain more advantage.