Chapter 357

The surveillance feed showed a formidable woman in her sixties standing at the gates when Evelyn and the children arrived home.

Henry's eyes widened in recognition. "That's Dominic's mother!"

"Oh," Lily chirped, "so she's our grandmother!"

"Don't call her that!" Henry corrected sharply. "She's probably here to cause trouble for Mom!"

"Hmph! We won't let her bully Mom! Let's teach her a lesson!"

Henry dashed inside to retrieve his drone while Lily trailed behind him.

Eleanor Blackwood stood outside the wrought iron gates, her lips pressed into a thin line as she waited for Evelyn to answer. She hadn't slept a wink all night, consumed by restless agitation that drove her to confront Evelyn personally.

Suddenly, the mechanical whirring of an engine sounded overhead. Eleanor looked up just as crimson liquid began raining down from the hovering drone. The paint splattered across her designer coat, sending her scrambling toward her limousine with a shriek.

The commotion woke Evelyn. She threw off the covers and rushed to the window, then bolted from her room when she saw the scene unfolding outside.

Eleanor had taken refuge in her car, her face flushed with rage. Mrs. Wilkins helped remove the ruined coat and dabbed at the red stains with wet wipes.

"Madam, it appears to be acrylic paint," the housekeeper observed.

"How utterly savage!" Eleanor hissed through clenched teeth. "I didn't believe she could do such things to Zoe, but now I've seen her true colors!"

The mansion doors flew open moments later, revealing Evelyn in her silk pajamas. She approached the black limo just as Eleanor emerged with Mrs. Wilkins' assistance.

"Evelyn Thorne!" Eleanor sputtered, trembling with indignation. "Look what you've done!"

Both children burst through the door despite Evelyn's orders to stay inside. Lily planted herself between her mother and Eleanor.

"Mom had nothing to do with this! Henry and I did it!" Lily declared.

Eleanor's breath caught when she saw the children. Though she'd heard about Evelyn's twins, seeing them in person was another matter entirely.

"You're trespassing! This is our home and we'll defend it!" Lily continued, jutting her chin defiantly. "You wouldn't be covered in paint if you'd stayed away!"

Eleanor's gaze darted between the children, lingering on Henry's face. The resemblance struck her like a physical blow - he was the spitting image of Dominic at that age.

"I came to speak with your mother," Eleanor managed. "How dare you be so disrespectful!"

"I don't want you talking to Mom at all!" Lily crossed her arms. "Leave now or Henry will send his drone after you again!"

Evelyn quickly ushered the children inside before returning to face Eleanor. "If this is about Zoe, I'm innocent. Your son has already addressed this matter, so there's no need for your involvement."

"Evelyn," Eleanor's voice shook, "your son... who is his father?"

"He's adopted from an orphanage," Evelyn replied coolly, eyeing the paint stains. "I apologize for my children's behavior."

Eleanor seemed not to hear. She clutched Mrs. Wilkins' arm and retreated to the limousine. Once inside, she whispered urgently, "Did you see that boy? He looks exactly like Dominic as a child."

"Do you think... could he be Dominic's son?" Mrs. Wilkins ventured.