Chapter 498

Evelyn had encountered Preston Worthington on multiple occasions, though their interactions remained limited.

The man possessed an unsettling beauty, his charming smile never quite reaching his cold, calculating eyes.

Rumors painted him as the shadow ruler of A City's underworld—a man whose cruelty knew no bounds.

She still couldn't fathom how Olivia had managed to cross paths with such a dangerous figure on a simple grocery run.

Unease coiled in her stomach. With her legs still healing, she had no choice but to call Dominic.

Preston was Dominic's acquaintance. Surely, he could negotiate Olivia's release.

Dominic answered on the second ring, his deep voice steady despite the background noise of a lively gathering. Music and laughter filtered through the line.

After explaining the situation, she exhaled in relief when he promised Olivia would be safe.

"What's all that noise?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

"Just a party," he replied, his tone softening. "I'll handle Preston soon. Get some rest. I'll take you and the twins on vacation once you're recovered."

Her heart warmed at the thought, but then—

A woman's voice, saccharine and possessive, cut through. "Dominic! There you are! Mother and Father are waiting. The banquet is starting!"

Evelyn's grip tightened around her phone.

Even knowing it was all an act, the sting was sharp.

"Go," she whispered, forcing lightness into her voice. "I'll wait for you."

She ended the call before he could respond.

Across town, Dominic's expression darkened.

His gaze locked onto Lillian Prescott, who clung to his arm with faux innocence.

The air around him turned lethal.

Lillian shivered under the weight of his glare—like prey sensing a predator's intent.

"Dominic?" She bit her lip, feigning confusion. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

His mask of civility slipped back into place.

"An urgent matter with Mallory Corporation," he said coldly, extracting himself from her grasp. "My apologies, Ms. Prescott."

Her smile faltered.

If it was just a corporate issue, why did the CEO need to intervene personally?

Suspicion gnawed at her, but she forced a gracious nod. "Of course. Though I'd hoped you'd stay for my performance..."

"Another time."

After brief farewells to the Prescott elders, Lillian paraded him out, basking in envious stares.

Dominic barely tolerated her touch, already mentally calculating how many showers it would take to scrub her cloying perfume from his skin.

But Genevieve Prescott's watchful gaze kept him in check.

The moment he was free, his phone buzzed—an unknown number.

Lillian rejected it twice before answering with a sharp, "What?"

A gruff voice hissed, "The job's done. Where's the rest of my payment?"

Her blood ran cold.

Locking herself in a bathroom stall, she spat, "She's still alive. You call that done?"

"I crashed into her like you asked. Alive or not—pay up, or I'll expose you."

The line went dead.

Lillian hurled her phone against the wall.

Shattered glass mirrored the fury in her eyes.

That woman was supposed to die.