Chapter 254

"I apologize, Dr. Montgomery," Dominic said, forcing his voice back into its usual icy composure. His momentary lapse of control was gone, replaced by the cold detachment he was known for. "It was a mistake. I need to clear my head."

Without another word, he turned and walked out, leaving Zoe standing there, stunned.

She had expected her tears to break through his defenses, to make him pull her into his arms and whisper reassurances.

But no.

He had just… left.

Like she meant nothing.

He hadn’t been like this last night with Evelyn.

Zoe wiped her cheeks roughly, swallowing the bitter taste of rejection. At least there was one silver lining—she had succeeded in her plan. She snatched her phone from the nightstand and dialed Julian’s number.

"It’s done," she said flatly.

"Congratulations, Dr. Montgomery!" Julian’s laughter rang through the line. "Let me know if you need anything else. I’m always happy to assist."

His cheerful tone made her stomach twist. If only Dominic showed even half of Julian’s eagerness to please her.

"Tell me," Zoe demanded, her voice sharp. "Do I look like a man to you? Your uncle didn’t even glance my way. Not even when I was completely bare in front of him."

Julian burst into louder laughter. "My uncle’s the one with the problem, Dr. Montgomery! He’s the one who needs therapy, not you."

Zoe clenched her jaw. It felt like mockery. "He was perfectly normal last night with Evelyn," she snapped.

Julian’s laughter faded into a low hum. "Ah… well, no man can resist Evelyn. She’s got that dangerous mix of innocence and temptation."

"So you’re saying I’m not as attractive?" Zoe hissed.

"No, no! You’re gorgeous, Dr. Montgomery! Stunning, really. It’s just… men tend to prefer Evelyn’s type—soft but seductive, you know?"

Zoe hung up before he could finish.

She didn’t need to hear more.

She already knew Evelyn was younger, prettier, more everything.

But she didn’t need Dominic’s heart.

She just needed him to be hers.

In another suite of the Oceanview Grand Hotel, Nathan stirred awake, his hands patting the sheets blindly.

"Where the hell are my glasses?" he muttered, squinting at the blurry shapes around him.

Then his fingers brushed against warm skin.

He froze.

"Who’s there?" he demanded, voice tight with panic.

He’d drunk too much last night. The memories were a haze.

A groan came from beside him, followed by a lazy kick.

"Why are you up so early?" Lucas grumbled, rolling over. "It’s the weekend."

Nathan ignored him, still searching for his glasses. "Where did you put them?"

"Why would I take your glasses?" Lucas yawned. "Just ask nicely. Say please."

Nathan’s patience snapped. He shoved Lucas off the bed.

"You shameless bastard!" Nathan snarled. "What the hell are you doing in my bed?"

Lucas hit the floor with a thud, then scrambled up, grabbing Nathan’s collar. "Me? You’re the one who crawled in here last night! I was too drunk to remember anything!"

They tumbled back onto the mattress, wrestling like teenagers.

Evelyn woke to the shrill ring of her phone.

She was still curled on the bus stop bench, her body stiff from the cold night air. Her fingers trembled as she fumbled for her phone, pressing it to her ear.

Her skin burned.

She had a fever.

"Evelyn," Lucas’s voice crackled through the line, thick with drama. "They beat me up again! I accidentally slept with Nathan last night because I was drunk! How is this my fault?"

Evelyn exhaled slowly, her head pounding.

"If you’re innocent," she said flatly, "call the police."