Chapter 311

Dominic had believed the woman he spent that passionate night with was Evelyn!

He would never have laid a finger on Zoe if he'd known the truth.

Across town, Evelyn was enjoying dinner with close friends at Sapphire Coast Avenue.

Without their unwavering support, she wouldn't have recovered so quickly after her mother's tragic passing.

Though thoughts of Clara's death still pierced her heart, Evelyn refused to let grief consume her like it had Margaret.

Michael poured Wesley a glass of wine, but he declined with a polite smile. "I'm driving tonight."

Evelyn slid a glass of juice toward Wesley instead. "Wesley doesn't handle alcohol well. I'll drink with you tonight, Michael!"

"Are you doubting my tolerance?" Sophie challenged, arching an eyebrow. "I can hold my liquor better than most men!"

"I know you can," Evelyn chuckled. "But Adrian specifically asked me to make sure you don't overdo it."

Sophie huffed dramatically before clinking glasses with Michael.

"Slow down, you two," Evelyn warned. "I invited you for seafood, not to see who can drink the most."

"Seafood's just an excuse!" Michael countered, already slightly flushed. "What's a gathering without good drinks?"

"Exactly!" Sophie agreed, raising her glass. "We might as well stay home eating peanuts if we're not drinking!"

Evelyn rolled her eyes and turned her attention to the children.

After peeling shrimp and crab for Lily and Henry, she finally began eating her own meal.

Noticing Michael and Sophie were thoroughly engrossed in their drinking contest, Wesley leaned toward Evelyn. "Eric keeps insisting on thanking you in person."

"He should focus on rehabilitation first," Evelyn said softly. "We'll arrange a meeting once he's more stable."

Her fingers tightened around her fork as she added, "With ordinary patients, I wouldn't be so cautious. But given his celebrity status... if his location got out, it would disrupt his recovery and personal life."

Wesley nodded in understanding. "You're right. He's young and impulsive."

He pushed a plate of crab meat toward Evelyn.

"You have it," she said, cheeks coloring slightly.

"I don't eat seafood," Wesley replied. "You've been feeding the kids this whole time without eating yourself. You're getting too thin - I'm afraid a strong breeze might carry you away."

Lily looked up seriously. "Henry and I will hold Mommy's hands tight! The wind can't take her!"

Wesley chuckled. "With you two protecting her, I won't worry." Turning to Henry, he asked, "How are you adjusting to your new school?"

Henry gave a small nod.

Though quiet, Henry never caused trouble, earning his teachers' favor.

"Why did you bring your laptop?" Wesley noticed the device peeking from Henry's bag.

Henry quickly zipped the bag shut. Evelyn shot her son a knowing look, alarm bells ringing in her mind.

She wouldn't confront him here.

Instead, she checked her phone discreetly for messages from Dominic.

Relief washed over her when she found none.

"I heard Zoe plans another surgery for Sophia," Wesley said, his expression troubled. "I can't tell if Zoe's being overly confident or if Dominic's being naive. She might not kill Sophia, but the results could be disastrous."

Evelyn's grip on her fork turned white-knuckled.

"Are you certain you don't want to tell Dominic you performed Sophia's first surgery?" Wesley asked quietly.