Chapter 466
Evelyn's heart nearly burst from her chest at that moment.
Every fiber of her being burned with excruciating pain.
Seeing Jonathan about to take the disc from the woman's hand, Evelyn suddenly screamed at Dominic, "No! I don't want to marry you! I refuse this engagement!"
The grand ballroom fell deathly silent.
You could have heard a feather drop.
Dominic remained frozen on one knee, completely stunned.
He'd always known Evelyn anticipated their wedding more than he did. This rejection blindsided him.
Reginald Blackwood's face turned ashen. His walking stick trembled in his grip.
Sebastian rushed forward to steady the elderly patriarch.
Margaret Lockwood showed no reaction.
Having suffered through an unhappy marriage herself, she secretly approved of the young woman's decision.
Beatrice Lockwood seethed with rage. Were it not for her social standing, she would have clawed Evelyn's face to shreds right then.
Countless society daughters dreamed of marrying her son!
Yet this insignificant nobody from humble origins dared publicly reject Dominic? The Blackwood name would never recover from this humiliation!
Reginald Sinclair and Gwendolyn stood shocked.
Evelyn had always been so gentle and considerate. Why would she...
Even if she had reservations, she should have discussed them privately. This public spectacle would make Dominic the laughingstock of high society!
Dominic's piercing gaze locked onto Evelyn. Her words turned his heart to ice.
Still kneeling, he demanded, "Why?" He needed to understand.
Evelyn felt her heart being torn in two.
Trembling uncontrollably, tears welling in her eyes, she forced out the words. "We're not suited. You're elite aristocracy - brilliant, accomplished. I'm just a talentless pauper with nothing to offer. I can't help your career. I can't give you what you need. I'm sorry!"
Through her anguish, Evelyn clung to one shred of logic.
She didn't know this woman's identity or motives, but the disc could only mean two things:
Either she was one of Dominic's admirers, or someone had hired her.
Either way, her goal was to force Evelyn away from Dominic.
Evelyn gambled that if she left willingly, the woman wouldn't release the disc regardless of her motives. There'd be no benefit.
As for humiliating Dominic, she couldn't bear that.
So Evelyn took full blame for the rejection.
The woman might not be completely satisfied, but the engagement would certainly be canceled. No aristocratic family would accept her after this public disgrace.
The woman would achieve her goal, and Evelyn could spare Dominic some pain.
Agony like a thousand knives shredded Evelyn's heart. The pain was so intense she thought she might vomit.
Dominic saw through her flimsy excuses instantly.
Yet his normally unshakable heart ached terribly.
Rising, he gripped Evelyn's shoulders and whispered for only her to hear, "I don't believe a word of this, Evelyn! Tell me what's really happening! If you're not ready, I'll wait - ten years, twenty, my entire life if needed..."
His voice dropped lower. "I'll wait until you say yes. You know I'd never force you."
Evelyn's head throbbed as if struck by a hammer.
His words filled her with unbearable guilt.
In that moment, her mind had never been clearer, yet her eyes overflowed with helpless despair.
Dominic saw the torment in her gaze.
A spark of hope ignited in his eyes. She wasn't truly rejecting him! He waited for the real explanation.
Evelyn shook her head, her delicate face growing paler.
Before Dominic could press further, Evelyn's body went limp, collapsing unconscious...
"Evelyn!" Dominic caught her just in time.
His handsome face drained of color as he stared at her lifeless form.
Excruciating pain gripped his heart.
Had he pushed too hard? Perhaps she simply wasn't ready.
The crowd erupted in shocked murmurs.
An engagement ceremony derailed by rejection and fainting? Unprecedented.
Guests whispered behind gloved hands, pointing and smirking at the unconscious girl.
Dominic lifted Evelyn in a bridal carry.
Standing tall as an oak, he faced the microphone, his expression grave.
His commanding presence silenced the room instantly.
"Ladies and gentlemen." Dominic's cool, elegant voice carried through the golden microphone. "My apologies for this unexpected turn. My fiancée contracted a severe flu last night - 104-degree fever, overnight IV treatment. She's clearly not herself today. Please disregard her earlier words. We'll postpone the engagement, but dinner will proceed as planned."
His smile didn't reach his icy eyes as he continued, "To all media present - I expect zero speculative reporting about Evelyn tomorrow. You understand my meaning."
Though spoken softly, his gaze promised winter's wrath. Reporters shuddered, spines tingling with dread.
Everyone knew Dominic's gentle demeanor masked ruthless efficiency.
No one dared cross him and survive the consequences!
Dominic carried Evelyn from the hall.
Lillian Prescott ground her teeth so hard they creaked. This wasn't supposed to happen!
Evelyn had publicly humiliated Dominic and the Blackwoods. Shouldn't he despise her now?
Why was he still protecting that wretched girl?