Chapter 293

The ski resort was packed with holiday crowds.

"Where's the ice palace?" Evelyn asked Wesley anxiously. The sheer number of people made her nervous about Lily and Henry's safety. She wanted to check the quieter ice palace area first.

"Behind the main slopes," Wesley gestured toward the direction.

A nearby tourist overheard and chimed in helpfully, "Looking for the ice palace? It's closed for private booking today. Some rich family reserved the whole place."

"The entire ice palace?" Wesley's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Exactly! Damn the privileged! Why book it during New Year's? That's why this place is so crowded today," the tourist grumbled.

Wesley turned to Evelyn apologetically. "Let me try negotiating with them. Maybe they'll let us in for just a short while."

Evelyn forced a smile. "Don't worry about it. We can admire it from outside. The surroundings are beautiful enough for photos."

"I should've checked the reservation status beforehand," Wesley sighed.

"It's not your fault. We can always come another time."

Meanwhile inside the ice palace, Sophia was twirling happily around the glittering snow castle. Dominic followed her with a camera, capturing her radiant joy while Zoe watched the heartwarming scene unfold.

"Dominic, let me take one of you two together!" Zoe offered. Dominic handed her the camera and joined Sophia.

Outside the gates, Evelyn suddenly grabbed Wesley's arm. "We can't go in!" Her face paled as she recognized Dominic's security detail.

Of course it was Dominic who'd booked the palace. He never cared for such places - was this for Zoe or Sophia?

As Evelyn tried to pull Wesley away, Lily seized the moment. Grabbing Henry's hand, she darted past the distracted guards.

"Mommy! We made it inside!" Lily's triumphant shout echoed.

Evelyn's heart stopped. The guards looked equally stunned.

"Don't touch my children! I'll get them out!" Evelyn cried, rushing in after them.

The guards exchanged glances. One murmured, "That's Ms. Thorne. Mr. Blackwood won't mind."

"But they're divorced!"

"Divorced doesn't mean enemies. Besides, Miss Sophia seems fond of that boy."

"I heard he's Mr. Blackwood's son. Why won't he acknowledge him?"

"Where'd you hear that?"

"...Just a guess. Doesn't the boy look exactly like him?"

"Mind your own business."

Meanwhile, Lily and Henry were racing deeper into the winter wonderland.

"Mommy, let us play! If they can't catch us, we can stay longer—oof!" Lily collided hard with a solid figure mid-run.