Chapter 406

Margaret Lockwood never anticipated Julian would be standing at the doorway.

Her mind snapped back to reality, recalling every venomous word she'd spat in her rage.

She couldn't deny that her toxic marriage to Edmund had left permanent psychological scars. Yet despite everything, she'd been nothing but a devoted mother to Julian.

Her position in the Blackwood family hung by a thread. With only her son as her anchor, she couldn't risk fracturing their relationship.

"What are you talking about, darling? I don't understand," Margaret feigned innocence. "Look, Dominic already has twins, and now Evelyn's expecting a third child. You need to step up and give me grandchildren soon. Otherwise, the Blackwood empire will fall entirely into Beatrice and her son's hands!"

"Tell me the truth, Mother. Did you arrange Dominic's car accident?" Julian cut straight to the chase.

Those piercing eyes—so much like Edmund's—made Margaret's breath hitch. Then came the familiar ache.

They were the same eyes that had once stolen her heart.

Edmund Blackwood had been a seasoned playboy. His empty promises had ensnared young Margaret completely. Her parents had seen through his charms, warning her about his unreliable nature.

But what did a lovesick socialite care about warnings?

Whenever they were together, Edmund made her feel like his entire world. She remained blissfully unaware of his countless affairs.

When her parents opposed the marriage, she'd threatened suicide. She'd even abandoned her strict upbringing to sleep with him. Left with no choice, her parents relented.

Marrying the man of her dreams, she thought her happiness was complete.

Then the other women started crawling out of the woodwork—before their honeymoon even ended.

Thus began her cold war with Edmund Blackwood.

At first, Edmund would try to placate her. Eventually, he grew tired of her tantrums and distanced himself. Sometimes disappearing for days.

She was forced to face reality.

Using her family's influence, she systematically eliminated Edmund's mistresses. But the man was insatiable—for every woman removed, a younger, prettier replacement emerged, mocking her efforts.

Eventually, she grew exhausted.

Her parents convinced her that bearing a son would secure her position. That all Blackwood riches would eventually be hers.

She stopped chasing mistresses. Instead, she ensured any pregnancies were terminated.

Until one slipped through.

Beatrice Lockwood, an escort and one of Edmund's dalliances, had gotten pregnant. By the time Margaret discovered it, Beatrice was already five months along—with a boy.

Margaret saw red. She wanted Beatrice carved into pieces!

Edmund must have sensed her intentions. He hid Beatrice away. Despite her best efforts, Margaret couldn't locate her. Beatrice successfully gave birth to Dominic.

But it changed nothing.

Margaret remained the legal Mrs. Blackwood. As long as she held her position, Beatrice would always be the mistress.

When Margaret was pregnant with Julian, Edmund died in an accident. Beatrice lost her footing in the Blackwood household.

Death threats and financial incentives made Beatrice remarry and abandon her child to an orphanage.

Later, Reginald Blackwood retrieved Dominic from the orphanage, missing his deceased son. Fearing the boy wouldn't adjust, he brought Beatrice back—against Margaret's wishes.

All Margaret could do was scheme against mother and son.

She never anticipated Dominic's brilliance—everything Julian wasn't. A business prodigy who earned Reginald's trust.

She feared for her and Julian's position...

Then fate smiled—Dominic was diagnosed with depression!

Reginald sent him to a small town to recover. Margaret arranged a near-fatal accident there, leaving him comatose for a year.

Miraculously, he survived.

After recovering, Dominic Blackwood returned changed. He studied abroad for years.

Reginald, suspecting something, assigned bodyguards. Margaret had to tread carefully.

Her influence didn't extend overseas. Dominic's activities remained a mystery.

Upon his return, he swiftly took control of Blackwood Enterprises, purging all her spies with ruthless efficiency.

She was powerless against him...

With his business acumen, Dominic multiplied profits exponentially, rebranding the company as T Corporation—A City's premier enterprise.

She regretted not killing him when she had the chance.

Now helpless, Julian was all she had left.

And here he was, accusing her of orchestrating Dominic's accident.

"How could you suspect your own mother? Everything I do is for you. If you don't trust me, why did I even bear you? I—"

Memories overwhelmed Margaret. Clutching her chest, she collapsed onto the couch.

With no other escape, she faked a heart attack to avoid her son's interrogation.