Chapter 472

Dominic halted mid-step.

He turned sharply, his piercing gaze turning glacial. "Is this the truth?"

With a dismissive wave, his security team released Cassandra.

She was trembling on the verge of tears.

While she enjoyed certain...adult games, they were only fun when consensual. Those instruments could be exciting during intimate moments, but seeing them wielded as weapons had chilled her to the bone.

Collapsing to her knees, she begged. "I was wrong, Mr. Blackwood! Please forgive me! I bear no grudge against Evelyn Sinclair. Lillian Prescott forced me into this! She threatened to ruin me in A City if I refused. I had no choice! I swear I'll never do it again—"

Dominic loomed over her like a marble statue, though Cassandra was in no state to appreciate his sculpted features. The man radiated deadly menace.

"What was on that CD that made Evelyn reject my proposal?" His voice was deceptively calm.

Cassandra's eyes darted nervously to the four bodyguards. Dominic gave an almost imperceptible nod.

The men filed out silently, closing the door behind them.

"Speak." The single word held terrifying weight.

Cassandra spilled everything. "Mr. Blackwood, Lillian's been obsessed with you since your first meeting. She knows you love Ms. Sinclair, but she's determined to marry you regardless. That woman's a master manipulator—playing the innocent while scheming behind the scenes. She's insulted Ms. Sinclair to my face countless times, swearing to break you two apart..."

She recounted every malicious act, watching Dominic's expression darken with each revelation.

"Recently, Lillian obtained a CD allegedly containing evidence of your bribery dealings. She ordered me to deliver it to Ms. Sinclair with threats—leave you or face consequences. I only complied under duress!"

Dominic absorbed this calmly, though his eyes had turned stormy.

'So that's why Evelyn refused me at the altar.'

Mission accomplished, he strode from the room, security detail falling into step behind him.

Cassandra slumped in relief, wiping sweat from her brow—until realization struck. If Lillian discovered her betrayal...

Panicked, she recalled her latest sugar daddy—a wealthy, unattractive tycoon who'd promised a Maldives getaway. Perfect timing for an extended overseas vacation.

Inside the car, Sebastian handed Dominic a tablet. "Sir, defamatory articles about Ms. Sinclair are trending across all platforms. This is clearly a coordinated smear campaign."

Dominic's face darkened as he scanned the content. "Amateur hour. Identify this 'Rosalind' and terminate every account sharing this filth."

Sebastian hesitated. "With the recent media regulation crackdown targeting corporations like ours—"

"I'll take full responsibility," Dominic cut in coldly. "Lawbreakers face consequences. Execute my orders."

Sebastian sighed. His normally strategic boss became recklessly impulsive where Evelyn was involved.

"One more thing." Dominic's lips curled dangerously. "Compile every piece of dirt on Lillian Prescott. I want her name dominating tabloids for the next month."

Let the schemer drown in her own tactics.

Sebastian masked his surprise. "Understood, sir."

"And summon Gideon Blackwood immediately."

As the car moved, Dominic leaned back, eyes closed but mind racing. That bribery CD? A trivial matter. Old Samuel Whitmore had been more thorough than expected.

His smirk held no warmth. The game had just begun.