Chapter 92

Evelyn Sinclair never imagined Dominic Blackwood would take their twins to see a horror film like Life.

Though she hadn't watched it herself, she'd seen colleagues and former classmates posting about its graphic violence and disturbing scenes. Many called it downright revolting.

Evelyn shot Dominic a sharp glance but remained silent. Cradling little Isabella in her arms, she lowered her head and entered the Blackwood estate.

Isabella rested on Aunt Margaret's shoulder, yet somehow sensed her father's presence as they passed. The toddler lifted her head to stick her tongue out at him.

Upstairs on the balcony, Beatrice Lockwood observed the scene below with a stormy expression.

Hadn't she explicitly warned that girl to stay away from Dominic? Why was Evelyn here again? The audacity!

They looked like some happy family of three!

After composing herself, Beatrice smoothed her features and descended.

The two elderly gentlemen in the garden also witnessed the entrance scene.

Reginald Blackwood chuckled in relief. "I've waited nearly five years for this moment."

"At our age, nothing matters more than seeing the children happy," Reginald Sinclair remarked, moving his chess piece to capture his opponent's.

Despite losing the game, the elder Blackwood couldn't stop smiling.

The scene unfolding was simply too perfect.

Margaret had barely stepped inside when the child leaped into Evelyn's arms, clinging like she'd missed her mother terribly after a long separation.

Meanwhile, Dominic stood nearby with his usual aristocratic bearing, though unconsciously he'd shed his CEO demeanor, transforming into nothing more than a stubborn husband who refused to admit his mistakes.

"Evelyn's here?" Beatrice greeted with forced warmth as she reached the foyer.

Evelyn froze mid-step.

Beatrice addressed the still-smiling elders, "Evelyn, come with me. I have something for you. Last time we met, I was in a rush and couldn't give you my small token."

Evelyn finally looked up at the mention of a "small token."

She suspected this was merely an excuse for a private conversation.

"Madam, no gifts necessary!" Reginald Sinclair interjected, unwilling for his granddaughter to accept anything valuable before marriage.

"Nonsense!" Reginald Blackwood waved off the objection. "We consider Evelyn family. This is between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law."

The gravity of the statement silenced further protest.

Isabella wriggled down from Evelyn's arms to join her brother Alexander on the swings.

Upstairs, Beatrice produced an exquisite diamond-encrusted jewelry box.

"I acquired this at a charity auction for six million," she said, presenting it. "Now it's yours."

"I can't accept something so valuable." Evelyn's refusal wasn't politeness - she wanted Beatrice to get to the point.

Beatrice smirked. "It could fetch five million if resold. Still not interested?"

Evelyn found Beatrice's expression unbearable. "If you've nothing else to say, I'll leave." She turned on her heel.

Twenty minutes later, Beatrice found Evelyn in the kitchen pouring water for Isabella.

"My apologies," Beatrice said without sincerity. "I assumed you'd appreciate jewelry."

Evelyn set down the glass. "After abandoning your family to marry into wealth, you've lived luxuriously for decades. Yet you still behave like some nouveau riche social climber."

Beatrice's jaw clenched at the insult.

"How dare you judge me?" she hissed. "Watch your tongue before you become a laughingstock!"

"At least I wouldn't abandon my child to chase money." Evelyn dropped the bombshell she'd carried for years.

The words released decades of pent-up resentment.

This woman didn't deserve respect.

Beatrice, unused to such humiliation, sneered, "If you're so principled, why come here today? Don't pretend you're not after our wealth."

Evelyn closed her eyes against her mother's venom. She thanked God she hadn't inherited Beatrice's contempt for the less fortunate.

If not for Grandpa, she'd never have come.

She couldn't let him know the truth - it would devastate him.

Without another word, Evelyn walked out.

"Stay away from Dominic," Beatrice called after her. "Name your price!"

Outside, Dominic was "playing" with the children - if one could call it that. He'd dismissed the attendant pushing the swings to take over himself.

Isabella, initially angry with Daddy, forgave him when he started pushing her.

Until he pushed too hard.

The swing soared terrifyingly high.

The child's terrified wails startled everyone - the chess-playing grandfathers and Evelyn with her water glass.

No one knew what possessed the man. With his considerable strength, he'd forgotten children have limits.

Dominic stopped the swing with one hand and reached for his trembling, sobbing daughter.

"No more playing with Daddy!" Isabella cried between hiccups.