Chapter 186

The toothbrush slipped from Evelyn's fingers, clattering onto the bathroom tiles. Sophie gasped so hard she nearly dropped the breakfast bag in her hands.

Fortunately, Mike moved like lightning, catching the bag mid-air before it hit the ground.

"Evelyn, is this your friend?" Mike asked, ruffling his sleep-mussed hair.

Without waiting for an answer, he dug into the bag, pulling out a pancake and taking a large bite. He offered another to Evelyn with a grin. "Not bad. Want some?"

Evelyn's cheeks burned as she took in Sophie's stunned expression. She grabbed Mike's arm and shoved him back toward his room.

"Sophie, just—wait here. Sit down," Evelyn managed, her voice tight.

Sophie blinked, then exhaled sharply. Her fingers flew over her phone screen as she fired off a message to Adrian.

Sophie: HOLY CRAP. Evelyn’s got a HOT roommate. Like, model-level hot.

Adrian: Wait, Evelyn? Our Evelyn?

Sophie: If I hadn’t seen it myself, I wouldn’t believe it. She’s living it up! No wonder she’s moved on from Dominic so fast. This guy is unreal—tall, lean, face like a damn sculpture.

Adrian: Pics or it didn’t happen.

Sophie: She shoved him back into his room. I’m interrogating her the second she comes out. Stay tuned.

Adrian: Oh, I’m waiting.

Evelyn snatched her toothbrush off the floor and retreated to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. Five minutes later, she finally emerged, bracing herself.

Sophie crossed her arms. "So. Explanation. Now."

Evelyn sighed. "He’s a business partner."

"Oh, so you’re partnering in more ways than one?" Sophie smirked.

Evelyn nearly choked on her water. "Did you see us in bed together?"

"Please. If you weren’t sleeping together, why’s he staying here instead of a hotel?" Sophie shot back.

Evelyn set her glass down with a thud. "I’m single. Even if I was with him, what’s the problem?"

Sophie’s eyes lit up. "No problem at all! If he’s your new man, I’m thrilled for you." She plopped onto the couch beside Evelyn, grinning. "I just didn’t realize you moved on this fast. Dominic’s going to lose his mind."

Evelyn’s lips twitched. "He already did. Two days ago."

Sophie gasped. "Wait—he knows? How did he react?"

Evelyn shrugged. "Like an adult. Mostly."

The second Sophie left Mooncrest Manor, she called Adrian, demanding he relay the news to Dominic.

Adrian, ever the instigator, dialed Dominic immediately.

"Dominic. Sophie just saw Evelyn," he said, embellishing freely. "Apparently, there’s a guy living with her. And Sophie says he’s ridiculously good-looking."

Dominic’s grip tightened on his phone. He remembered the man from Evelyn’s office—had they really gotten that close?

"She can live with whoever she wants," Dominic snapped. "Don’t waste my time with this." He hung up.

Adrian huffed, then turned to Lucas. Since their argument, Dominic and Lucas hadn’t spoken. But now, Lucas looked almost… amused.

Was Evelyn doing this to mess with Dominic? If so, brilliant. If not? Even better. Watching Dominic unravel was entertaining.

——

Meanwhile, at Willowbrook Academy.

Henry had the DNA results in his hands. The report confirmed one thing: Julian wasn’t his father.

But the data showed something else—a genetic link between Henry, Lily, and Julian. Which meant only one thing: Dominic was their biological father.

When Henry thought Julian was his dad, he’d been disappointed. Now? Now he had a much bigger problem.