Chapter 328

Dominic left the Blackwood estate after dinner.

His destination was St. Elizabeth Medical Center to check on Sophia.

The remaining Blackwood relatives departed shortly after.

When Eleanor retreated to her chambers, Julian slipped into Zoe's room.

Zoe had been residing at the ancestral home since her pregnancy became public knowledge.

"Brilliant work, Dr. Montgomery!" Julian exclaimed, shutting the door behind him. "To manipulate someone as formidable as my uncle! Should I start addressing you as Aunt Zoe?"

A serene smile graced Zoe's lips. "Naturally. Once we're engaged, I'll be his fiancée. What difference does a title make?"

"Congratulations! Though..." Julian's expression darkened with concern. "How do we ensure my uncle never questions the child's paternity? Our entire inheritance plan hinges on this baby."

Zoe's composure shattered. "This child will never see daylight!"

Julian's face clouded over.

"The moment this child is born, your uncle will demand a DNA test," Zoe hissed. "When the results expose our deception, he'll discard me instantly! You'll be ruined too!"

Julian's lips trembled. "Isn't there any way to... manipulate the test results?"

"Impossible! Unless he lets me conduct the test myself! He'd never allow that - he's always been suspicious of me, searching for other specialists to treat Sophia..." Zoe's voice cracked with barely contained hysteria. "The moment he finds a replacement, I'm finished!"

Julian placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "But he hasn't found anyone yet, has he? You're truly remarkable, Dr. Montgomery! Both surgeries were flawless. No wonder uncle changed his mind about the engagement. If it were me, I'd marry you in a heartbeat."

Zoe snapped back to reality.

She violently shrugged off Julian's hand, her face twisting in disgust. "Get out! Don't ever enter my room uninvited again!"

"Fine... If you're determined to terminate the pregnancy, how do you plan to do it?" Julian's gaze lingered on Zoe's swollen abdomen with complicated emotions.

"You'll know when the time comes!"

Zoe was already arranging her chess pieces.

By morning, news of Dominic Blackwood's impending engagement to Zoe Montgomery had spread through all of Ravenswood.

Even the date was set - the engagement party would occur in precisely fourteen days.

The announcement instantly trended across social media platforms.

Michael Sterling scrolled through the headlines during breakfast.

"Think Dominic's using his engagement to divert attention from our scandal?" he quipped. "The online harassment has noticeably decreased today."

Evelyn Thorne meticulously peeled a hard-boiled egg.

Her expression remained impassive. "Do you honestly believe the president of Blackwood Group would concern himself with problems our company can resolve financially? He can announce his relationship whenever he pleases. Focus on our own affairs."

"Fair point. We're hemorrhaging money though!" Michael set down his phone and sipped his coffee. "We'll need to reinvest all the profits from Dominic's contract into refunds."

Evelyn took a deliberate bite of egg. "Our reputation outweighs financial losses."

Michael studied her intently. "You seem completely unaffected by Dominic's engagement news. Honestly fine with this? He was the love of your life!"

"That chapter is closed. Why revisit it?" Evelyn finished her meal and stood. "I'm flying to Stonebridge today to discuss our next collaboration with Vanguard Holdings."

"When did you book tickets? You never mentioned... Running away because you can't handle Dominic's engagement?" Michael teased.

Evelyn displayed her flight confirmation email. "Booked last night. Do you think I somehow predicted today's announcement?"

"Alright! How long will you be gone?" Michael walked her to the foyer.

"Undetermined. I'll return as soon as possible. The children need supervision."

"Take your time abroad if needed. I'll care for the twins."

Michael recognized how toxic the current environment had become for Evelyn.

Between social media trolls demanding she leave Eldermere and her ex-husband's very public engagement...

The mere thought was suffocating.

That evening, Lucas Grant invited Dominic for drinks. Dominic declined with a frown. "I'm visiting Sophia tonight."