Chapter 495
Genevieve Prescott studied Dominic Blackwood from head to toe. Her piercing gaze swept over him like a laser scan, yet she couldn't deny the young man's striking presence.
Unlike the overdressed men at the gala, Dominic wore a simple white dress shirt with black slacks. The minimalist outfit somehow accentuated his aristocratic bearing.
An invisible frost seemed to radiate from his body, warning people to keep their distance. Yet paradoxically, his magnetic charisma drew everyone's attention.
This dangerous combination of icy detachment and raw masculinity explained why women threw themselves at him. But that didn't give him license to play with her daughter's heart.
Right now, Lillian Prescott was love-struck, believing Dominic's attention meant she'd won life's grand prize. Genevieve saw no genuine affection in the man's eyes.
"Mrs. Prescott." Dominic recovered from his initial shock at Genevieve's resemblance to Evelyn Sinclair and approached with measured steps.
Lillian clung to his arm possessively while he kept one hand casually tucked in his pocket. The pose should have looked arrogant, but on him, it appeared effortlessly elegant.
"Mr. Blackwood, I'd like some clarification." Genevieve's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Have you truly resolved matters with Ms. Sinclair after that disastrous engagement? Lillian is my only daughter - young and impressionable. As her mother, I must safeguard her future happiness."
Dominic recognized the challenge in her frosty gaze.
Lillian's grip on his arm tightened.
'Why can't Mother see how hard I've worked to get Dominic's attention? I finally convinced him to attend Grandma's birthday with me, and she's ruining everything!'
"That's ancient history, Mother!" Lillian forced a bright laugh. "If Dominic chose to be with me, it means he's moved on. I love him, and he's here with me - that's all that matters. Who knows what tomorrow brings?"
She playfully nudged Dominic. "Tell her, darling," she coaxed with feigned annoyance.
Dominic's eyelids lowered, shadowing his expression. Lillian couldn't read his thoughts.
"Dominic..." she pressed, anxiety creeping into her voice.
The man remained silent, his sculpted lips pressed into a thin line.
His reticence unnerved Lillian. She desperately needed him to reassure her mother, fearing Genevieve might forbid their relationship.
Genevieve saw through the charade immediately.
The man couldn't even fake sincerity properly. How could she trust him with her daughter?
"If you're serious about Lillian," Genevieve said coolly, "I expect concrete proof of your commitment. Otherwise—"
"Words alone wouldn't satisfy you, Madam," Dominic interrupted smoothly, flashing a disarming smile.
His hand moved to caress Lillian's hair in a show of affection.
Lillian froze at the unexpected gesture before melting into delighted embarrassment. Overcome, she wrapped her arms around Dominic's waist.
A wave of revulsion threatened to overwhelm him. Fighting it down, he forced himself to return the embrace.
Genevieve's face paled, her expression turning glacial. But causing a scene would only embarrass Lillian. With a resigned shake of her head, she turned away.
Meanwhile, Dominic endured Lillian's clingy presence as they circulated the ballroom.
'Just a little longer,' he reminded himself. He wouldn't fail his mission.
Across town at the hospital, Reginald Sinclair and Gwendolyn Sinclair wept at Evelyn's bedside.
The elderly man hugged his granddaughter while tears streamed down his weathered face, cursing whoever had hurt his precious girl. The sight tore at the heart.
Gwendolyn drowned in guilt.
If she hadn't told Evelyn about Reginald's sudden illness, her niece wouldn't have rushed out and gotten into that accident.
Evelyn gently wiped her grandfather's tears. "Don't cry, Grandpa. Your eyesight's bad enough without adding tears. See? I'm perfectly fine."
Reginald touched the cast on Evelyn's leg mournfully. "You got hurt because you were worried about me. At my age, I've lived my life. The car should've hit me instead—"
"Grandpa!" Evelyn cut him off sharply. "Don't say such things! Do you want me to carry this guilt forever? Promise me you'll never speak like that again."
Reginald sighed, wiping his eyes. "Alright, alright."
Noticing her grandfather's low spirits, Evelyn turned to her aunt. "What exactly happened? Grandpa seemed fine last week. Did you take him to see a specialist? Are you feeling better now, Grandpa?"
Recalling the doctor's diagnosis, Reginald waved a dismissive hand. "Nothing serious. Your aunt overreacts. The doctor said I shouldn't hide my troubles in the closet. I'll just find another place for them."
Evelyn blinked in confusion, shooting Gwendolyn a questioning look.
Since when did Grandpa keep his troubles in a closet? And how would that make him sick?
Gwendolyn burst out laughing at her niece's bewildered expression. "Not 'troubles' - cholesterol! I was busy with work when he went for his checkup. The doctor explained his high cholesterol levels, but our dear patient here misheard it as 'closet troubles'..."
Evelyn facepalmed.
'Grandpa, you're such a comedian!'