Chapter 104

Bianca's smile vanished. "You've never looked at me that way, have you?"

Dominic's reply was ice-cold. "Find someone who will."

Without another word, Bianca turned on her heel and walked away.

That evening, drowning in frustration, Bianca called Tristan out for drinks.

Tristan took one look at her miserable expression and scoffed. "No man would want you looking like that."

Bianca's eyes burned with unshed tears. "I have to pretend all day in public! Can't I just be myself at home?!"

Tristan poured her a generous glass of wine, his voice deceptively soft. "Bianca, we still don't see eye to eye as siblings. But if you'd just listen to me, you could have everything."

She downed the wine in one gulp, her bloodshot eyes locking onto his. "Can I have Dominic?"

Tristan's lips curled into a dangerous smile as he pulled her close, his breath hot against her ear. "Not alive. But if he's dead... I can give you his ashes. That way, you'll have him—indirectly. How's that sound?"

Bianca recoiled as if burned, shoving him away with a force that sent him crashing into the table behind him.

"Tristan! Are you out of your damn mind?! If you lay a finger on Dominic, I swear to God, you're dead to me!"

A sharp crack echoed as Tristan's back hit the edge of the table. He doubled over, his face contorted in pain.

"Tristan! I—I didn't mean to!" Bianca rushed to help him up, guilt twisting her features. "I just... Dominic is my line. Don't cross it."

Gritting his teeth, Tristan straightened slowly. "He's already crossed mine. Three hundred million—he's pouring it into Thornfield Industries. Tell me, Bianca, is that company even worth half that? This is a direct challenge."

Bianca froze.

"What? Since when? Why haven't I heard about this?"

"Because he doesn’t trust you." Tristan winced as he lowered himself onto the sofa. "And he made sure I found out. My guess? He and Evelyn had a little private chat." He gestured toward the medicine cabinet. "Get me something for the pain."

As Bianca rummaged through the cabinet, her mind raced. Maybe Dominic and Evelyn would never divorce. The way he looked at her, the way he fought for her—Bianca had never seen him like this with anyone. Not in ten years.

She had lost. Utterly.

The Chamberlain family’s hillside villa in Ravenshore City’s St. Elric District was alive with celebration for Tristan’s father’s birthday. Since Ravenswood was just a short drive away, Evelyn could have made it in under an hour.

Tristan called her early that morning, offering to pick her and Clara up.

Evelyn declined politely. "My mother isn’t coming, and I have to stop by the university first. Don’t wait for me—go ahead."

She had no real plans, and Tristan knew it. She just didn’t want to ride with him.

"Fine," he said, his voice tight. "But get there early. There’s something I need to discuss with you."

Evelyn hesitated. "Actually... there’s something I need to tell you too."

After hanging up, she collapsed back into bed. She’d stayed up all night finishing her thesis, and exhaustion weighed heavy on her.

By noon, the Chamberlain villa’s sprawling parking lot was packed with luxury cars.

Dominic strode into the ballroom, his gaze sweeping the crowd.

"Evelyn’s not here yet," Bianca said, appearing at his side. "Did you two make up? I thought you’d come together."

Dominic took a sip of water, his expression unreadable. "Maybe tomorrow."

Bianca led him to his seat, her tone carefully neutral.

"I heard about the three hundred million investment in Thornfield Industries. Dominic, as a friend, I have to say—that’s reckless."

Dominic’s fingers tightened around the glass. "What I give her is between us. Stay out of my family matters."

Bianca’s face paled.

Family matters.

He could dismiss three hundred million like it was nothing.

"Fine," she snapped. "I won’t say another word about you and Evelyn."

Dominic smirked. "See that you don’t."