Chapter 348

Evelyn stood frozen, her mind reeling from the shocking scene before her.

She had merely shaken Zoe's hand off her arm. How could this have happened?

Zoe lay crumpled on the marble floor, clutching her abdomen with anguished cries. "My baby... please, save my baby!"

The commotion drew the attention of the household staff and Eleanor Blackwood, who came rushing from the parlor.

"Zoe! What in heaven's name happened?" Eleanor's face twisted in fury as she turned to Evelyn. "Did you do this?"

The accusation hung heavy in the air. The floor was perfectly smooth - no possible reason for Zoe to have fallen unless pushed.

Between gasping sobs, Zoe pointed a trembling finger. "Evelyn... you've already taken Dominic from me... was my unborn child a threat too?"

A cold realization washed over Evelyn. This was a trap. But why would Zoe risk her own pregnancy?

Unless she knew this would be the final straw to turn Dominic against Evelyn permanently. The thought chilled her to the bone.

"You're willing to sacrifice your own child to frame me?" Evelyn's voice shook with outrage. "You don't deserve to be a mother!"

"The pain... it's unbearable!" Zoe writhed as the bodyguard helped her up. "Everyone saw you push me! If I lose this baby, I'll never forgive you!"

As the bodyguard carried Zoe to the waiting car, Eleanor's rage erupted. Without warning, her palm connected sharply with Evelyn's cheek.

"Dominic's leniency has made you bold, hasn't it?" Eleanor hissed. "That's a Blackwood heir you've harmed! If anything happens to that child, you'll pay with your life!"

The slam of car doors echoed through the suddenly silent estate.

Evelyn's face burned where she'd been struck. Her feet felt rooted to the spot. She hadn't laid a finger on Zoe - this was all a carefully orchestrated lie.

Then, movement caught her eye. Julian emerged from the mansion's shadowed doorway.

Had he witnessed everything? Why hadn't he intervened?

He approached with slow, deliberate steps, stopping inches from Evelyn. A cruel smirk twisted his lips. "My, my... what a pitiful sight you are."

"Spare me your fake concern," Evelyn spat. "Even if I had pushed her, what of it?"

She turned to leave, but Julian's mocking voice followed her.

"If I were you, I'd stay far away from Dominic now," he called after her. "Though I suspect it's too late for that..."

The implication was clear - Zoe's miscarriage would be pinned on Evelyn, and Dominic would never forgive her.

At St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Zoe was rushed into surgery while Eleanor made the fateful call.

"Dominic, I saw it with my own eyes! Evelyn pushed Zoe deliberately!" Eleanor's voice broke with manufactured grief. "She's a monster! Zoe hit the stone fountain and now she's bleeding... our grandchild might..."

Her words dissolved into dramatic sobs, sealing Evelyn's fate with every tear.