Chapter 65

Reginald Blackwood stood in the courtyard leaning on his cane, watching from a distance.

When his grandson returned with that peculiar expression, the old man immediately sensed something was different. His wild grandson had finally found himself a girlfriend!

Isabella crept up behind her father. Standing on tiptoes, she peeked over his shoulder.

"Daddy, I didn't know you used WeChat," she said in her childish voice.

Isabella knew Great-grandpa, Grandma Beatrice, Grandma Margaret, and Uncle Julian all used WeChat - everyone except Daddy. She'd never seen him use it before.

Dominic sat stiffly on the sofa, his brow furrowed as he stared intensely at his phone screen.

Still no reply from Evelyn.

'Is that a rejection?'

Just then, Julian came downstairs. Hearing Dominic had a WeChat account, he approached in surprise. "Damn, you don't even have a profile picture," he commented, peeking over Dominic's shoulder.

Dominic quickly switched off the screen showing his chat with Evelyn, his expression darkening.

'Why isn't she responding?'

"Talking to a girl?" Julian sprawled on the opposite sofa, the picture of a spoiled rich boy with his feet on the table. His eyes gleamed as he studied his brother's stony face. "Her profile pic is one of those cutesy cartoon avatars girls love. Why so grumpy? Did she reject you?"

The eavesdropping old man frowned deeper.

Julian launched into his analysis: "So you're chasing her and she's playing hard to get? Wow...what kind of woman turns down a catch like you? Don't tell me she's using your interest to boost her own status?"

He knew his brother had always been ascetic and distant, especially with women. Now that Dominic had finally fallen, Julian feared his powerful brother might get played.

He'd seen how gold diggers operated - first aiming for marriage, then settling for money when that failed. To Julian, all women were the same.

Dominic set down his silent phone. "Shallow," he muttered.

"You won't find a woman who isn't these days. Look at me - I can't even find anyone decent lately. Each one's worse than the last," Julian said, thinking he was commiserating.

"I meant you're shallow." Dominic's eyes were dark pools of ink.

Julian froze mid-reach for his cigarette!

His brother had clearly been bewitched by some vixen to turn against family!

"Give me that..."

At Evelyn's apartment, Olivia had snatched her phone.

Noticing Evelyn's flustered reaction, Olivia's eyes widened as she read the messages. "Evie! What's gotten into you? Is this man really that amazing? You're blushing just from one meeting!"

Evelyn finally saw Dominic's message:

"From this moment forward, just say the word, and I'll become your husband whenever you wish."

Love should be a sweet, gradual process.

Most men's promises like this were half-truths not to be taken seriously - just impulsive words.

But Evelyn believed Dominic meant every syllable.

She looked up at Olivia nervously. She couldn't hide this budding relationship from her best friend and roommate forever.

"That wasn't my blind date," Evelyn admitted. "The blind date didn't work out."

Olivia was stunned.

'If not the blind date, then who?'

"My brother was wrong, but your breakup was recent..." Olivia tread carefully. "Has someone been pursuing you since then? And...you like him too?"

Evelyn nodded.

"Are you sure you don't want to wait? What if he's a player?"

Seeing how messy this sounded, Evelyn explained everything.

Olivia's jaw dropped.

After gaping at Evelyn for a full minute, she finally processed the shocking news.

"Our...our boss? Mr. Blackwood? The CEO of T Corporation?" Olivia squeaked.

Evelyn curled into the sofa, silent.

"Evie! That's our boss! You hit the jackpot! No, no, that sounds crass. What's the right word? You've landed a...ugh, I can't even think straight!" Olivia was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Reply to him quick - the boss is probably waiting anxiously." Olivia shoved the phone back. "My bad for teasing you and taking your phone."

As Evelyn typed her reply, she remembered Nathan's proposal words:

"Evelyn, you must understand. No man has loved you longer or more deeply than I have..."

Now she knew that was false.

There was another man who'd loved her longer - since before she even understood romantic love.

At Blackwood Manor, Dominic lay awake. After tossing and turning, he got up to drink water. The second time, he used the bathroom. The third time, he smoked on the balcony.

Each time, his eyes darted to his silent phone.

On his fourth trip to the balcony, Dominic lit another cigarette, frowning deeply. 'Was I too pushy?'

The business adage "it's not a sale if you're forcing it" came to mind.

With nicotine calming him, he resolved to be more aloof with her - not too indulgent, not too attentive.

If she messaged, he wouldn't reply immediately.

Buzz.

His phone vibrated.

Dominic turned to see the screen light up in the dark bedroom.

He rushed back so eagerly he banged his thigh against the bed frame. Wincing, he grabbed the phone.

"Okay." Evelyn had sent a voice message.

Despite his resolution, Dominic immediately held down the voice button, his tone rough from smoking: "Let's watch the sunrise tomorrow."

"Okay..."

Her soft voice melted his stern expression.

Love's first taste left Dominic sleepless.

At 3 AM, he grabbed his car keys.

Julian, just back from clubbing, yawned as he saw his brother meticulously dressed in a suit. "Ghost hour and you're going somewhere?"

Ignoring him, Dominic drove off.

Julian watched the sports car vanish, shaking his head. "Definitely a girl. Taking the sports car out at 3 AM? What else could it be?"