Chapter 463

The phone wouldn't stop ringing. Evelyn wanted to hurl it against the wall.

But she couldn't. That woman held Dominic's darkest secret.

With trembling fingers, Evelyn finally answered.

A shrill voice screamed through the receiver. "Ignoring me, Evelyn Sinclair? Fine! I'm standing outside the Ethics Commission right now. One step inside and Dominic Blackwood's career is over!"

A text followed immediately - a selfie.

The sunglasses-wearing woman smirked, holding up a CD in front of the government building's sign.

Evelyn's pulse raced while her blood turned to ice.

That CD would destroy Dominic beyond redemption.

No power or influence could save him then.

Her grip tightened on the phone. "Stop! Please... I'll do anything. No engagement tomorrow. I'll leave the city tonight. Just don't submit that CD!" Her voice broke with desperate sobs.

A cold laugh answered. "Too late for easy solutions. Had you left when I first warned you... Now? You'll proceed with the engagement. And when he proposes, you'll reject him publicly. Humiliate him completely."

Evelyn froze.

This went beyond leaving. They wanted her to crush Dominic's pride before everyone.

She bit her lip until copper filled her mouth. "I'll disappear tonight. But I can't... I won't humiliate him like that!"

Dominic's pride was everything. Public rejection would destroy more than their relationship - it would shatter him.

The woman's mocking laughter grated. "Sentimental fool! You're in no position to bargain. Either obey or watch his downfall. Imagine the headlines: 'Blackwood Empire heir exposed as criminal'!"

Another video arrived - the woman's hand on the Commission's door handle.

Panic seized Evelyn. "I'll do it! I'll reject him tomorrow! Just don't go inside!" she screamed.

"No tricks. I'll be watching. Cross me and he's finished." The line went dead.

Evelyn didn't realize she'd dropped her phone.

Outside, fluffy clouds blurred through her tears.

She remembered the hope in Dominic's eyes yesterday at the bridal fitting. Despair swallowed her whole.

Dominic returned home early to prepare for tomorrow.

The mansion smelled of simmering soup. Alexander and Isabella played on their tablets in the living room.

Hanging his coat, Dominic scanned for Evelyn. "Where's your mother?"

Isabella didn't look up. "Mommy's resting. Said not to disturb her."

Frowning, Dominic set the dinner table himself - something he rarely did.

After feeding the children, he carried a tray upstairs - pork ribs with mushroom soup, Evelyn's favorite.

She lay curled up, tear tracks glistening. Her eyelids fluttered like trapped butterflies.

Setting the tray aside, Dominic traced her cheek. Soft. Warm. Like rose petals after rain.

Just watching her eased his work fatigue.

But why had she been so distant lately?

He stayed, content to watch her sleep. She looked so fragile beneath the blanket - like the kitten he'd adored as a boy.

Evelyn dreamed of their wedding.

Dominic knelt, radiant as a god, ring in hand. As she opened her mouth to say "yes," a bloody specter lunged, skeletal fingers piercing her chest—

She woke screaming, drenched in sweat.

Dominic's concerned face filled her vision. "Bad dream?" He pulled her close, wiping her damp forehead. "The children said you're unwell. I brought dinner. Some soup?"

She shook her head, clinging to him.

After a long silence, Evelyn whispered the question tearing her apart: "Dominic... what if... what if we postponed tomorrow's engagement?"