Chapter 61

"I don't have any particular requirements in a partner."

Evelyn just wanted this blind date to be over.

Dominic's presence at the next table made her even more tense.

"You really don't have any standards?" Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Then let me tell you about my situation—"

His phone buzzed beside his coffee cup.

"Excuse me, I need to take this."

Adrian stood up and walked away.

Evelyn exhaled in relief.

She kept her gaze fixed on her coffee, afraid to glance in Dominic's direction.

Dominic remained still, flipping through a newspaper, occasionally sipping his black coffee.

The caller ID read: Aunt Beatrice.

Adrian answered.

"How's the date going?" Beatrice demanded, impatient for an update.

Adrian glanced back at Evelyn, sighing. "Aunt Beatrice, she's lovely. I don't want to hurt her."

Beatrice scoffed. "Hurt her? What nonsense!"

"I'm gay. I can't give her a real marriage—not even normal intimacy. If we marry, my parents will demand children. But I can't... She's sweet, gentle, refined. I can't do this to her."

"I don't care about your preferences! If you want to keep your boyfriend, you need to appease your parents. They just want grandchildren! Take her abroad, use IVF—no need to touch her. I'm helping you, Adrian. Don't be stupid."

Her voice turned sharp. "That girl isn't marrying you out of love. She's desperate—a perfect pawn! Seize this chance. Or should I remind you? Your boyfriend committed fraud. Without my help, he'll rot in prison."

The call lasted ten minutes.

When Adrian returned, Evelyn was ready to leave.

But he sat down with a dazzling smile. "Evelyn, I'm so glad we met. It's love at first sight for me. Do you feel the same?"

Evelyn blinked.

Love at first sight? Seriously?

She couldn't imagine anyone falling for her that fast.

"You've seen me—my looks, my height, my family's wealth. Marry me, and we'll live overseas. I'll ensure you never want for anything."

Evelyn choked on her coffee.

Dominic's icy gaze locked onto Adrian.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Delacroix." Evelyn wiped her lips, flustered. "We're not compatible. I'll cover the coffee. Goodbye."

She grabbed her purse, nodded politely, and left without looking back.

Outside, she hailed a taxi.

She showed the driver her phone—the screen displayed an address in the city's most exclusive neighborhood.

As the car pulled away, Evelyn glanced back. The black Range Rover wasn't following her.

She relaxed.

Dominic didn't chase me. Maybe he's not the same man I once knew.

The cheerful boy from her memories had become a ruthless tycoon.

On the way, Cassandra called, urging her to hurry.

At 9:30 PM, the taxi arrived at the mansion.

Cassandra greeted her outside.

Evelyn gaped at the grand estate. "This place..."

"Recognize it? A celebrity hosted her birthday here last year—a publicity stunt to snag a rich heir!" Cassandra rolled her eyes. "Dominic Blackwood isn't like us. Tonight, we get to see how the elite live."

This is Dominic's home?

In A City, only the Blackwood family of T Corporation owned such wealth.

"Have you seen Dominic yet?" Evelyn asked nervously.

"Not yet. He's busy but will arrive soon." Cassandra smirked. "Look at those gold diggers. Dressed to kill just for a glimpse of him."

The mansion buzzed with glamorous guests—though not all were stunning. Some, like Evelyn and Cassandra, looked ordinary, sipping drinks shyly.

"This is Evelyn. Remember her?" Cassandra introduced her to former classmates.

A bespectacled man stood. "Of course! She sat in the second row—always top of the class."

Others greeted her warmly, avoiding school topics.

They chatted about careers, exchanged contacts.

Someone asked, "Cass, where's the teacher?"

"Inside. Dominic brought a specialist from abroad. Mom's amputated leg still hurts—no doctor here can fix it."

Their group spoke softly, but across the pool, wealthy girls flaunted designer bags and rare lipsticks.

Then, a car engine roared at the gates.

Silence fell.

Even the loudest socialites quieted.

A black Range Rover entered, its custom license plate gleaming.

The door opened.

Dominic stepped out, radiating power.

His presence screamed dominance—aggressive, controlling, responsible.

"So handsome..." a female classmate whispered, then covered her mouth.

Dressed in black trousers and a white shirt (two buttons undone), his rolled-up sleeves warned: Don't stare.

Evelyn froze as he approached.

"Evelyn." Dominic suddenly smiled—a rare, breathtaking sight. "You came."

His deep voice resonated, making it seem he'd attended just for her.