Chapter 320

Michael's hand flew to his mouth the instant he realized his slip-up.

"You've been compromised!" Evelyn exhaled sharply, her brow furrowing.

"No chance! He hasn't been prying about us lately," Michael protested, his pale blue eyes rolling dramatically. "I'm certain!"

"He can't hold his liquor like I can. I get him wasted every time we drink. There's no way he could extract anything from me."

Evelyn didn't doubt his words.

Her concern was whether he might be withholding information or could eventually be compromised.

"If you fall for Nathan's pillow talk..."

A pained expression crossed Michael's face.

Changing topics abruptly, he asked, "Are you really planning to keep helping Sophia without compensation? Not charging Dominic Blackwood medical fees is a massive loss!"

Evelyn shook her head. "There won't be a next time. It's not that I won't assist her. Her condition is too severe - my abilities have limits. We can't predict her post-surgery state, but she won't be worse than before."

"Doesn't that mean Sophia will keep suffering if Dominic remains unaware and continues her current treatments?" Michael said regretfully. "Dominic might be scum, but Sophia... Despite her cognitive challenges, she's still sweet and endearing!"

Evelyn didn't respond.

Exhaustion was creeping in.

She longed to return home and sleep.

At St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Dominic stood vigil by Sophia's bedside, studying her pallid, gaunt face.

He prayed she'd show improvement upon waking.

Even better if she could recall events preceding last night's surgery.

He desperately needed to know what had transpired.

Zoe Montgomery entered quietly.

Dominic glanced up. "You should rest at home. I'll notify you when she wakes."

Zoe's pregnancy was visibly advanced.

Dominic felt conflicted about her unborn child, but remained grateful for Sophia's treatment.

His team still hadn't located Eric Montclair.

The former idol had seemingly vanished.

For now, Zoe remained essential for Sophia's care.

"You're the one who needs rest. You pulled an all-nighter when Sophia disappeared, didn't you?" Zoe approached, gently touching his shoulder. "Go home, Dominic. I'll monitor things here."

Dominic studied her.

Zoe possessed remarkable medical skills alongside her gentle nature. He found no fault in her.

Why couldn't he treat her better?

"I'll leave after Sophia wakes," he insisted.

Though exhausted, sleep would elude him regardless.

"Please go rest, Zoe."

Reluctantly, Zoe complied.

Sophia awoke approximately an hour later.

Her eyes held an unfamiliar, chilling clarity as they scanned the room.

Dominic froze.

He'd never witnessed such an expression from Sophia before!

Medically, her cognitive impairment had rendered her childlike - laughing when happy, crying when sad, devoid of complex emotions.

This transformation was startling.

The surgery's effects were more pronounced than anticipated.

"How do you feel, Sophia?" Dominic grasped her cold hand, searching her face eagerly.

Sophia studied him momentarily before blinking slowly. "Where's Evelyn? Wasn't she speaking to me? Where is she?"

Dominic's heart stuttered.

Drawing a shaky breath, he demanded, "When did she speak to you?!"

Evelyn had been with Michael at Oceanview Grand since last night!

"Just now!" Sophia replied casually.

Dominic stood thunderstruck.