Chapter 98

Alexander's voice trembled as he confessed, "I just... saw him coughing up blood," before abruptly ending the call.

Evelyn's fingers shook with urgency as she redialed from the backseat of the taxi.

The phone vibrated again in Alexander's small hands just as he was about to return it to Uncle Julian. His wide eyes darted between the two elderly men.

Julian had saved the contact as "Sister-in-law Evelyn" - clearly referring to Aunt Beatrice.

"Answer it," Reginald Blackwood commanded his great-grandson.

Alexander stood like a child caught stealing cookies, nervously pressing the answer button. "H-hello Aunt Beatrice... Are... Are you close?"

"I'm almost there. Tell me honestly, how's Grandpa's condition? Does he need emergency care? Put an adult on the phone!" Evelyn's mind raced with whether to call an ambulance. Blood in vomit never meant anything good.

With both grandfathers mouthing instructions, Alexander switched to speakerphone. "The family physician is examining him now. Great-grandfather arranged it. He's still... still in the bedroom... Please hurry!"

His small finger stabbed the end call button like it burned him.

"Excellent performance!" The two scheming elders patted the boy's head with approval.

Alexander's heart hammered against his ribs. He'd never deceived kind Aunt Beatrice before. The guilt gnawed at him, but the grandfathers' combined pressure had been overwhelming.

Meanwhile, Nathan Kensington finished embarrassingly fast - barely seven minutes.

His weapon had already surrendered.

"That's it?" The seductive woman traced circles on his chest with painted nails, clearly unsatisfied.

This wasn't his wife. She was experienced, uninhibited - no wonder he'd lost control so quickly.

"Round two?" Nathan suggested, unwilling to waste this rare opportunity. There would be other chances, but why wait?

Between work stress and Sophia's constant demands, he needed this escape. A chance to reclaim his masculinity.

With another man's wife in his arms, he began again.

"Ah! Slower..." Her bare back scraped against the rough concrete wall, pain mixing with pleasure. "Oh god... you're better than my husband..."

The thrill of adultery sent electricity through Nathan's veins.

This forbidden excitement fueled him beyond imagination.

"Who's better? Say it!" Nathan stopped abruptly, demanding validation.

"You! Definitely you!" The woman begged through tears. "Please... don't stop..."

His ego swelled. "You'll get everything!"

Afterwards, Nathan rinsed off with a garden hose while his lover dressed.

She picked up his discarded phone. "What's the passcode?" Her coy smile didn't reach her eyes.

Nathan hesitated. This was just physical. No need to share personal details.

She took the phone into the bathroom anyway.

Suddenly feeling like a teenager again, Nathan pulled her back for another round.

His aching muscles protested, but he gave in to desire. This time, he surrendered his passcode too.

Their arrangement was purely physical. No strings attached. No personal entanglements.

As she scrolled through his photos and messages, she smirked. "Your girlfriend's pregnant?"

"Just a fling," Nathan corrected, massaging his sore back.

"How far along?"

"About eight weeks."

"I know people interested in... special arrangements." She batted her lashes. "The referral fee is substantial."

Nathan scoffed. "Seriously?"

"These opportunities don't come often." She pressed closer. "You're clearly not committed. Otherwise, why would you be here with me? Think about it. I'll handle everything."

Nathan felt no love for Sophia - that much was certain.

After tonight's escapade, his perspective had shifted. Life was meant to be enjoyed.

Though he doubted Sophia would agree.

"She'd never go for it."

"There are ways to... persuade her." The woman's smile turned predatory. "Just say yes, and I'll take care of the rest."

Nathan remained silent.

"I'll take that as agreement." She kissed his cheek and forwarded Sophia's photos to her own device.

Perfect for marketing material.

Meanwhile, Evelyn arrived at Blackwood Manor.

A maid escorted her upstairs.

Alexander stood by the bedroom door like a guilty puppy, unable to meet her eyes.

"Grandpa! What happened?" Evelyn rushed to the bedside where Reginald Sinclair lay weakly.

The elderly man appeared deathly pale beneath the blankets, forehead glistening with sweat.

Reginald Blackwood sighed dramatically. "Thank heavens the doctor stabilized him. Too much stress caused his blood pressure to spike."

Evelyn murmured her thanks.

Her grandfather's health had been declining naturally with age, but this seemed sudden.

"Let's get you to the hospital." Evelyn saw her chance to remove him from the Blackwood estate.

"Absolutely not!" Reginald Blackwood interjected. "The doctor said any movement could be dangerous. Bed rest only!"

Evelyn's shoulders slumped in defeat.

She couldn't possibly keep imposing on the Blackwoods after her breakup with Dominic. The thought made her cheeks burn with shame.

"Fetch a damp cloth for your grandfather," Reginald Blackwood ordered.

This was Dominic's bedroom.

Originally, Reginald Sinclair wanted to fake his illness elsewhere, but Reginald Blackwood insisted - reconciliation required the right setting.

Dominic remained hidden in the bathroom's soundproof interior.

Unaware of his presence, Evelyn pushed open the bathroom door without hesitation.

And froze.

Dominic had just finished showering. He stood there, completely nude, water droplets glistening on his toned physique.

Every inch of him was on full display.