Chapter 76

"Wait..."

Evelyn hesitated, her mind swirling with concerns.

It was only their second day officially dating Dominic. Meeting his family for dinner felt too soon.

She wasn't mentally prepared.

The stark reality of their different social statuses weighed heavily on her. Dominic came from wealth and privilege far beyond her own.

"Don't overthink it." Dominic guessed her worries. "Our family backgrounds aren't that different. If you knew mine, you'd see we're quite similar."

His reassurance left no room for refusal.

Ever since Dominic's call, Evelyn felt an invisible weight crushing her chest. She wouldn't breathe easily until this dinner was over.

Her phone buzzed repeatedly - all calls from Nathan.

She didn't answer. Didn't decline.

Simply ignored them as if they never happened.

Strangely, she felt grateful to Sophia for staging those fake scenes.

Witnessing their passionate bathroom encounter finally revealed Nathan's true nature.

All lingering guilt evaporated.

While Evelyn prepared for dinner with Dominic's family, Reginald Blackwood bustled about excitedly. The old man acted more thrilled than during Lunar New Year celebrations.

"If all goes well, we might have another grandchild by next year!" Reginald babbled before swatting Julian with his cane. "Look at you! No fiancée, no girlfriend, no children! Useless! Go clean the house!"

"Dominic's bringing someone home at twenty-nine. Why rush me? I'm younger! And Grandpa, didn't you say you'd never replace your antique furniture?" Julian protested.

"Trying to kill me with your nonsense?" The cane came down again.

Back at the manor, Julian barked orders. Out went the coffee table. The sofa. The dining set. All replaced with sleek Scandinavian designs.

Even the prized antiques Reginald normally guarded were carefully packed away.

By four PM, the living room underwent a complete transformation.

Alexander returned from school, staring blankly at the unfamiliar space. "Grandpa? Where's our furniture?"

"Your father's bringing a lady tonight. Alexander, Isabella - listen carefully. Be on your best behavior." Wrinkles deepened as Reginald smiled, worried the children might dislike their potential stepmother.

"A lady?"

The boy exchanged glances with his sister.

"Grandpa, what's her name?" Isabella clung to the old man's leg, tilting her head upward.

"Her name..." Reginald frowned, recalling a bathroom phone conversation. "Something like...Eve?"

"Aunt Evelyn?" Alexander's eyes widened.

Amidst the bustling manor staff, the boy stood before his attentive great-grandfather. "We've been to Aunt Evelyn's place. She cooked for us. Dad insisted on staying over."

Isabella added, "First business trip together, all three of us slept in Aunt Evelyn's room."

Reginald's eyebrows shot up. "What? Your father slept with her immediately?"

Two small heads nodded vigorously.

"Dad's mean. He bullies Aunt Evelyn. Once made her cry." Alexander worried for Evelyn - marrying someone who bullied her seemed unwise.

Reginald gripped his cane, pondering his grandson's feelings. He remembered how his son Edmund pursued Beatrice, made promises, then broke her heart.

Even after Edmund's death, Beatrice still wept over the past.

The old man thought he knew his son, only to discover a scoundrel. Now he feared history repeating with Dominic.

Julian descended the stairs. "Where's Mother?"

A black Mercedes pulled up. Out stepped Margaret Lockwood, swaying unsteadily.

"Mom, daytime drinking?" Julian rushed to steady her, preventing a disastrous fall.

Margaret touched his face, smiling. "My handsome son. You're better than that woman Beatrice's boy."

"Let's get you upstairs." Julian knew drunken scenes never ended well.

Today was special. No disruptions allowed - especially not in front of Evelyn.

"I feel awful... Don't stop me!" Margaret suddenly struck Julian with her purse. "Taking their side now? Ashamed of your drunk mother? Look at me! I'm your real mother! That mistress Beatrice ruined me!"

"I know, Mom. Please rest. You'll get a headache." Julian coaxed.

Margaret nodded drowsily as he guided her upstairs.

Reginald sighed.

The twins exchanged glances before heading up to prepare.

Alexander showered, then raided Julian's room for hairspray. He frowned at the mirror, meticulously styling his dark locks.

"You look handsome, brother." Isabella twirled in her princess dress.

"Really?" Alexander blushed. "Stop embarrassing me!"