Chapter 273

Evelyn heard his deep voice through the phone. The alcohol haze in her mind cleared slightly.

Did he really think she'd reveal secrets just because she'd had a few drinks?

How naive of him.

Sure, she'd consumed more beer than usual, but it wasn't strong liquor. Beer never completely clouded her judgment.

She decided pretending to sleep was her best option now.

Dominic listened to her steady breathing, his thumb hovering over the end call button. He knew she'd never have reached out sober.

The call duration on his screen kept ticking upward.

Evelyn startled awake at 8 AM, her body covered in cold sweat. The nightmare about her father's death had returned with terrifying clarity.

Those dark days after Richard Thorne's passing flashed before her eyes - wandering the streets with her mother Clara, desperate for even a drop of water but too broke to buy any.

She gripped her silk sheets, grounding herself in the present. "It's over," she whispered, "just a bad dream."

Then Dominic's sleep-roughened voice came through her phone: "Morning, Evelyn."

Her eyes flew open. Was she hallucinating? Why was Dominic Blackwood's voice coming from her phone?

"Get a grip," she muttered. "Ghosts don't call people at breakfast time."

She cautiously picked up the device.

Dominic had heard every word. A smirk played on his lips as he awaited her reaction.

When Evelyn saw the call timer showing five hours and seventeen minutes, her stomach dropped.

She nearly threw her phone across the room.

"Did I actually call him? Why?" Her cheeks burned as fragmented memories surfaced. She wanted to ask what she'd said but couldn't find the words.

"Evelyn?" Dominic broke the silence. "You there?"

"...Yeah." She rubbed her throbbing temples. "Listen, about last night...I didn't say anything embarrassing, right?"

His chuckle sent shivers down her spine. "Oh, you absolutely did."

Her headache intensified as she struggled to recall.

"You wished me happy birthday," he said smoothly. "Then predicted I'd have a son within the year."

"What?"

The memories came rushing back - the drinking, the news about Sebastian Whitmore's imminent arrest.

Her eyes darted to the clock. 8:15 AM. By now, Sebastian would be in custody.

"Dominic, I've got to go!" she blurted, ending the call before he could respond.

She immediately dialed Officer Bradford.

He answered on the first ring.

"Officer, did you get him?" Her pulse pounded so loudly she could barely hear herself speak.

"Sebastian Whitmore is currently in interrogation," Bradford confirmed. "Didn't want to wake you with the news."

"Thank you!" The relief was so intense her headache lessened instantly.

"Don't mention it. I'll update you after the questioning."

"Perfect. Thank you!"

At 10 AM, her phone rang again. The international caller ID made her blood run cold. She hadn't spoken to Margaret Thorne in four years, but would recognize that venomous voice anywhere.

"Evelyn Thorne!" Margaret shrieked. "You scheming little bitch! How dare you set up my brother! If anything happens to Sebastian, I'll make you pay!"