Chapter 24

Dominic's brow furrowed deeply.

Had he not witnessed Evelyn completing the list personally, he might have been swayed by Julian's desperate claims.

"The child is yours, Julian!" the bodyguard snapped. "How dare you deny responsibility? Your miserable life wouldn't be enough to atone for this sin!"

Julian whimpered pathetically, "She's lying! Uncle, I broke up with her because she refused to be intimate! She's punishing me by claiming this child is mine! You must believe me - that baby can't possibly be my doing!"

Dominic studied the sniveling man groveling at his feet, a cold disgust settling in his chest.

This was the man Evelyn had loved?

This spineless coward who would betray her without hesitation when cornered?

"Remove him," Dominic commanded, his voice devoid of emotion. "But keep him breathing."

Death would be too merciful.

He wanted Julian to suffer slowly, publicly - where Evelyn could witness every excruciating moment.

Meanwhile, Clara guided Evelyn back to her modest apartment.

Gently, she helped her daughter settle onto the bed.

"Don't cry, darling," Clara murmured, brushing tears from Evelyn's cheeks. "You need rest after... after the procedure."

Evelyn stared blankly at the ceiling. "The baby's still here, Mother. They didn't take my child."

Clara froze. "But you said Dominic forced you to..."

"I told the doctor," Evelyn whispered, her voice chillingly calm, "that if she touched me, neither of us would leave that operating room alive."

Though her child remained safe, something inside Evelyn had shattered beyond repair.

She'd escaped this time - but what about next? The thought haunted her.

As long as she remained under Dominic's control, her baby would never be safe.

The shrill ring of her phone shattered the heavy silence.

The caller ID showed the vice president of Thornfield Industries.

"Evelyn!" His voice crackled with excitement. "Apologies - I was drinking with a potential investor last night and only just woke! Has Mr. X contacted you today?"

Evelyn stiffened. "No. Who were you drinking with?"

"Mr. X - Adrian Vaughn! Can't find anything about him online, but he's young, clearly wealthy. Says he's looking for investment opportunities. I pitched him all night - no idea if he'll bite though."

Evelyn's grip tightened on the phone. "Is he... connected to Dominic Blackwood?"

"Not sure! But he knows Lucas Grant - said Lucas was his senior at university. And since Lucas is CFO of Blackwood Group..."

The vice president's words confirmed her suspicion. Adrian knew Dominic.

"Evelyn, why ask about Dominic? Do you know him?" Curiosity laced his voice.

"No," she lied, the name like acid on her tongue.

Ending the call, Evelyn dropped the phone as if burned.

Clara settled beside her on the bed.

"I found work," Clara announced hesitantly. "Didn't mention it earlier because I wasn't certain I could handle it."

Evelyn pushed aside her anguish. "What kind of work?"