Chapter 276

"Dominic dragged him away." Nathan pointed Evelyn in the direction the men had disappeared.

Evelyn turned to see Dominic and Wesley seated alone at a table, their bodyguards standing like sentinels beside them. A bottle of amber liquid glinted under the dim lighting, its presence signaling their intent.

Her lips pressed into a thin line.

Wesley rarely drank, and his tolerance was laughably low.

"Two lightweights! Let's see who taps out first," Nathan teased, mischief dancing in his eyes.

Then it struck her—Dominic couldn't hold his liquor either.

"Evelyn, it's a battle of pride between them. Just let them have their moment," Nathan said, nudging her shoulder playfully.

She shoved his annoyingly perfect face away. "This is entirely your fault!"

"I swear, I'll never fall for Sebastian's tricks again! Next time, I'm dragging him along!" Nathan raised his hands in mock surrender.

"There won't be a next time!" Evelyn stalked toward Sophie.

Sophie flipped Nathan off with a smirk.

It had been weeks since Evelyn last saw Dominic, and now, thanks to Nathan's meddling, here he was. Just the sight of him twisted her stomach into knots, a reminder of the ties she couldn't sever, no matter how hard she tried.

"Evelyn, congrats on reclaiming that fortune." Sophie handed her a glass of sparkling juice. "Whether you actually get it back or not, at least you've honored your father's wishes."

Evelyn nodded. "I'm visiting Dad's grave tomorrow."

"You should take the twins. If he were here..." Sophie's voice softened. "He'd have adored them."

Evelyn considered it, then nodded again.

Her phone buzzed. A glance at the screen sent her stepping aside.

When she returned, her expression was unreadable. "I need to step out. I won't be long."

Margaret had called.

Fresh off her flight back to Eldermere, panic had seized her after her lawyer hinted at Sebastian's impending legal disaster. Desperate, she'd demanded a meeting.

They faced each other in a quiet café near the Oceanview Grand.

Margaret's gaze raked over Evelyn, assessing. The girl looked the same, yet different—her eyes colder, her posture unyielding. The warmth that once lingered in her smile was gone.

"Evelyn, I had nothing to do with my brother's theft," Margaret blurted, breaking the silence. "After all those years with your father, why would I want Thornfield Industries to crumble?"

"Spare me the act. Dad's gone. What's the point?" Evelyn's voice was ice. "I don't have time for this. State your business."

"Let's settle this quietly!" Margaret hissed. "I'll return what he stole! If not for his idiocy, Victoria and I would've had a share of those millions. Now you get it all. Happy?"

As if she were bestowing a favor.

Evelyn's lips curled. "Margaret, is your brother's freedom only worth three hundred million to you? Those overseas ventures of yours must be thriving. But no—we're past private settlements. Unless you can hand me fifty billion."

"Fifty billion?" Margaret's face paled. Might as well slit my throat!

Her fists clenched. "Evelyn Thorne, you're insatiable!"

"Then we're done here." Evelyn rose, smooth and deliberate.

Margaret shot up, desperation flaring. "Wait! Fifty billion isn't pocket change! Give me time!"