Chapter 78

"Are you... Dominic's girlfriend that he brought to introduce to us?" Margaret asked with tears in her eyes. "What's your family background like? If your future husband mistreats you after marriage, will your family be able to protect you?"

Evelyn didn't know how to respond.

When Julian introduced himself earlier, he'd mentioned being Dominic's half-brother, sharing the same father.

That likely meant this middle-aged woman wearing the custom Gi qipao had once shared a man with Dominic's mother, Beatrice.

Margaret staggered toward Evelyn with alcohol fumes surrounding her. "Be careful." Evelyn reacted swiftly, catching Margaret before she could fall.

Leaning against the sofa with Evelyn's support, Margaret frowned uncomfortably. "Judging by your appearance, you probably come from an ordinary family. Take my advice - don't marry into the Blackwood family."

"Go upstairs to your room!" Reginald stood abruptly, his voice thundering with anger.

"No!" Margaret's eyes burned with resentment as she glared at the old man. Alcohol always loosened her tongue, making her repeat the same bitter words. "Allison should be the one leaving! I was Edmund's first wife!"

Her jealous gaze shifted to Beatrice, finger pointing accusingly. "You shameless woman! Who are you trying to fool with that quiet act? Just a cheap club dancer who sold herself to men! How many men had you slept with before worming your way into the Blackwood family? Edmund must have been blind not to see the whore you really were!"

Evelyn glanced at Dominic nervously.

He sat composed on the sofa, cigarette between his fingers. Though his brows furrowed slightly, he made no move to intervene, simply taking a slow drag with closed eyes.

Evelyn suddenly recalled his words during their phone call: "Don't feel pressured. In terms of family backgrounds, I'm no better than you. If you look into my family, we're basically the same."

"Are you certain you want to marry into the Blackwood family?" Margaret grasped Evelyn's hand with drunken sincerity. "Child, the Blackwoods are indeed the most prominent family in this city. But marrying into such wealth is like entering an icy tomb. Your husband won't care for you, and your in-laws won't sympathize."

"And then there are the mistresses waiting to pounce. It doesn't matter how low-class they are - maybe some club dancer letting men grope her. Men will still cherish them like precious gems while expecting their wives to stay home obediently, even asking if they had fun with their whores!" Margaret's grip tightened painfully.

"This is beyond unacceptable!" Reginald's cane struck the marble floor sharply.

He turned to Evelyn with softened tone. "Evelyn, your aunt has had too much to drink. Pay no mind to her ramblings."

Evelyn met the old man's gaze silently.

"Don't think seniority gives you the right to side with your son's mistress against your daughter-in-law!" Margaret stood abruptly, shouting. "A fish rots from the head down!"

"Mother, if you must make a scene, choose another time!" Julian forcibly bear-hugged his struggling mother toward the stairs, calling for the nanny's assistance.

Upstairs, crashing sounds and Margaret's wails echoed through the manor. Julian never returned downstairs, likely staying to prevent further outbursts.

Dominic signaled Evelyn to take the children outside.

In the manor's flower garden at dusk, bees buzzed busily among blossoms. Isabella watched them curiously. "They're always buzzing. Aunt Evelyn, do they eat the nectar right away?"

Lost in thought, Evelyn didn't respond immediately.

"Aunt Evelyn?" Isabella crouched, peering up.

"Yes?" Evelyn snapped back to reality.

"What's a club dancer who lets men touch her? Why did Grandma Margaret say that about Grandma?" The innocent question hung in the air.

Evelyn knelt, embracing the small girl. She kissed Isabella's cheek gently. "When adults argue, we forget their words after. Let's count to three and forget everything, okay?"

"Okay!" Isabella closed her eyes happily. "One, two, three... Aunt Evelyn, I forgot everything!"

"Good girl." Evelyn hugged her tighter, reaching for Alexander who stood quietly nearby. "You'll forget too, right?"

The boy nodded, though his brows remained furrowed.

Evelyn felt no pity for the quarreling adults - only for these innocent children forced to witness such ugliness. Adults had every right to vent, but not at the expense of children's innocence.

Holding them close, Evelyn couldn't help wondering about her own child. Was their family environment equally toxic, or completely opposite - filled with happiness?

Dominic arranged for separate dinners that evening. Reginald didn't insist, merely suggesting they reconvene at a better time.

As Dominic exited with Beatrice, the children clung to Evelyn like koalas, making their preference clear.

"I'm sorry you had to witness that today. For what it's worth, I like you very much. Though I only know you as Evelyn - what's your full name?" Beatrice had cleaned up, regaining her usual elegant demeanor.

"Evelyn Sinclair," came the calm reply.

Beatrice's smile froze instantly. Her face darkened. "What? Sinclair? Did you say your surname is Sinclair?"

Evelyn nodded.

Dominic shot his mother an impatient look. "Problem with the surname Sinclair?" He found her excessive interest irritating. Evelyn was his choice - that should suffice. Bringing her here already showed more respect than his family deserved.