Chapter 440

Evelyn clung to him, burying her face in his chest. "Alright, I trust you." Nathan looked down, but his eyes swirled with dark intensity.

Dominic's phone vibrated with a message. He hurled it against the wall with a snarl.

His men stood frozen, heads bowed in silence. One dared to speak. "Edmund Lincoln is involved now. With Theodore Goldmann's return and knowledge of his grandson's injury...he won't show mercy."

Dominic exhaled a cloud of vapor from his vape, the mist distorting his reflection in the window. "Any man caught by Theodore is already dead."

The subordinate paled. "What's our move then?"

Another plume of vapor. "What did Reginald say?"

"He wants you to handle this. Also...the hospital may have discovered Nathan's infection."

Dominic's expression darkened as he turned slowly. "Eliminate the loose ends. The virus stays contained - for now."

"The Night Banquet will crumble after Nathan's death. But if word of the virus leaks...investigators will swarm. That benefits no one." Dominic couldn't let his masterpiece fail now. He needed to watch the Goldmanns witness their heir perish from an incurable plague!

The basement's flickering lights cast long shadows.

Dominic entered the sparse room - just a bed and medical cabinet. Bloodied bandages and antiseptics littered the surfaces. The figure on the bed lay swathed in bandages, only half a face visible beneath the wrappings.

At the sound of footsteps, Rosalind's eyes fluttered open. A muffled whimper escaped her throat.

Dominic perched on the bed's edge, tracing her uninjured cheekbone. His smile never reached his cold eyes. "Don't fret, darling. I still have uses for you."

A single tear traced Rosalind's temple - whether from pain or despair was unclear.

"Your hatred is misplaced. That Vanderbilt woman orchestrated your downfall." Dominic leaned closer, his breath chilling her skin. "I need you to kill her. Spark war between de Armas and Goldmann. The Night Banquet must fall within the year. Can you do that?"

Rosalind's fingers clawed at the sheets, her eyes burning with renewed fury.

Dominic's lips curved. "Good girl."

The thought of the Goldmanns facing dual catastrophes sent thrilling shivers down his spine.

Edmund met Evelyn in the hotel gardens before their departure. "Uncle Edmund...did Nathan say anything after I left the hospital?"

Edmund deftly changed subjects. "Just discussed his condition. When do you return?"

"Tomorrow."

"Good. Stoslo grows dangerous." Edmund's gaze grew distant. "I can't always protect you."

Evelyn studied his profile. "Are you helping the Goldmanns...because of me?"

Edmund ruffled her hair affectionately. "Your safety comes first. You never should've been dragged into this."

Kyle approached suddenly, whispering urgent words that drained the color from Edmund's face.