Chapter 278

His breath was warm against her skin, heavy with the scent of whiskey.

Evelyn was certain he was drunk—otherwise, Dominic Blackwood would never have pulled her into his arms in front of his entire staff.

"You should know your limits," she muttered, trying to push away, but his grip only tightened around her waist.

"Evelyn," he murmured, reaching for the bottle and pouring amber liquid into two glasses. "Were you drowning your sorrows last night because of Sebastian's arrest?"

His hold loosened just enough for her to slip free. She scanned the room, but Wesley was gone.

"Dominic!" Her voice was sharp. "Where's Wesley?"

His cheeks were flushed, his gaze too knowing. She didn’t trust that look. His men must have taken Wesley away while he had her trapped.

"Given his state, I had him escorted to a room to sleep it off," Dominic drawled, offering her a glass. "Relax. I wouldn’t harm Mr. Ashford."

Her phone buzzed. A message from Wesley:

[Evelyn, I’m sober. He kept pressing about Professor Whitmore’s secret student. Played drunk to escape. He might suspect you. Be careful.]

Relief was short-lived. Her pulse spiked as she met Dominic’s watchful stare. She took the glass and downed it in one go.

"What were you doing outside earlier?" he asked, sipping his drink.

Her breath hitched. He’d been watching her. The realization sent a jolt through her.

"Dominic," she said, sitting beside him, "have you forgotten your own words? ‘I’ll be damned if I seek you out again.’"

His lips curved. "I came for the party, not for you."

"Then why care what I was doing?" she shot back. "Careful, or you’ll damn yourself after all."

His eyes gleamed under the dim light. "Evelyn, you don’t actually think I’m drunk, do you?" He leaned closer. "If life’s already hell, what’s damnation?"

She stood abruptly, turning to his guards. "Your boss is wasted. Take him home."

Without another word, she walked away.

The moment she was gone, Dominic set his glass down and left.

"Evelyn!" Sophie yanked her into the restroom. "What was that? Your face is burning!"

Evelyn pressed her hands to her cheeks. "Just the alcohol."

"Was Dominic drunk? The way he held you—like a starving predator with its prey!" Sophie gasped. "I’ve never seen him like that. It was terrifying!"

Evelyn groaned. "Do you think he’s not human?"

"Honestly? No. He’s always been this untouchable ice statue. Sometimes I wonder if he’s a machine."

"If he were, I’d have pulled the plug by now."

Sophie laughed.

Back at the table, Sophie nudged her. "Who called you out earlier? You vanished so fast."

"Guess."

Sophie frowned. "Everyone you know is here. Who else—?"

"My stepmother," Evelyn said, savoring a bite of steak. "Turns out, I might walk away with more than three hundred million."

Sophie’s jaw dropped.

Evelyn smirked and took another sip of wine.