Chapter 161

Sophia's face instantly brightened with genuine joy. There wasn't a trace of deception in her expression.

This woman clearly wasn't more intelligent than Lily. Evelyn's resentment toward Sophia began to fade as she observed her.

Dominic loved this woman, yet the longer Evelyn watched her, the stronger her compassion grew.

After dinner, Henry approached his mother.

"Is there something on your mind?" Evelyn asked, gazing at her precious son.

Henry nodded, his large doe eyes filled with concern. "I feel sorry for her," he confessed.

Sorry.

That single word transported Evelyn back to the night she had left Dominic.

That evening had shattered her heart into fragments. She had felt like dying - all because of this woman who now evoked her pity.

She wouldn't burden Henry with those painful memories.

"Yes, she is someone to pity," Evelyn agreed. "But I can't promise I'll treat her condition."

Henry's eyes widened. "Why not?"

"Her illness requires surgery, which carries significant risks. I can't operate without her family's consent," Evelyn explained gently.

Though Henry desperately wanted to help Sophia, he understood his mother's position.

Curious, Evelyn asked, "Do you know her name?"

Henry shook his head and walked over to Sophia. "What's your name?" he inquired.

Sophia paused, deep in thought, before carefully pronouncing, "So-phia. Sophia."

"Sophia! We're sharing a room tonight, right?" Lily exclaimed excitedly, and Sophia nodded with equal enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Dominic paced anxiously at the police station. His sister had been missing since afternoon.

"Mr. Blackwood, I suspect your sister was taken," the detective concluded. "We've reviewed all surveillance near Willowbrook Academy with no sign of her."

"If she'd left voluntarily, she would have appeared on camera somewhere along the routes."

Dominic's eyes burned with intensity. "I won't let anything happen to her! I must find her!"

"You could offer a substantial reward through missing person posters. With enough money, someone will come forward," the detective suggested.

That would be Dominic's last resort.

By eight o'clock, the city glittered under neon lights and stars.

Dominic left the police station and entered his black Rolls-Royce.

"Destination, sir?" his driver asked.

"Home."

As the engine purred to life, Dominic's phone rang.

He answered.

"Dominic, Evelyn just transferred over a hundred million dollars!" Lucas Grant's voice crackled through the line. "Straight into your account. Damn, that woman's loaded!"

"A hundred million?" Dominic's brow furrowed in confusion. "What's this payment for?"

"The Thornfield Tower sale finalized today!" Lucas abruptly changed subjects. "You don't sound pleased. Something wrong?"

"A hundred million?!" Dominic's veins pulsed visibly. "The agreed price was forty million!"

"Market value is eighty. Evelyn insisted on overpaying you," Lucas teased. "Who knew your pretty face could earn such a premium?"

Dominic ended the call. He scrolled to Evelyn's contact, his finger hovering over the dial button.

This woman never failed to infuriate him - then and now.

Evelyn stared at her ringing phone, Dominic's name flashing on the screen. Her pulse quickened, warmth spreading through her fingers gripping the device.

"Dominic must be frantic about Sophia," Evelyn realized. "Should I tell him she's safe with me?"