Chapter 363

Nathan grabbed a skewer of grilled meat and shoved it into Michael's mouth to silence him before approaching Sophie and Adrian, who had returned with several bottles of wine.

"These are exceptional vintages! Did you raid your father's wine cellar?"

"Raid? It's my family's estate - how could it be stealing?" Adrian uncorked the bottles with practiced ease.

Nathan poured a glass for Dominic first, then served Wesley despite his limited tolerance. "It's a celebration night - I'll indulge a little," Wesley declared.

"You seem unusually cheerful, Mr. Ashford?" Sophie filled his glass while glancing at Evelyn. "Care to join us, Evelyn?"

Evelyn shook her head. "Someone needs to stay sober with the children. Enjoy yourselves!"

"Perfect! Then I'll handle your unwelcome guest!" Sophie declared, settling beside Dominic. "Mr. Blackwood, shouldn't you be comforting your fiancée at the hospital? Surely you're not considering abandoning her after her miscarriage? That would be truly despicable. Or is your relationship purely transactional - just a means for procreation?"

The gathering fell into stunned silence at Sophie's bold confrontation.

Michael suddenly felt like an amateur compared to Sophie's fearless directness.

Dominic's expression darkened dangerously.

"Though I suppose it's understandable," Sophie continued sarcastically. "If she lost the baby from such a minor fall, she must be terribly fragile. I'd probably leave her too! Ms. Montgomery weighs what - 110 pounds? Evelyn barely breaks 100. I'd love to see the surveillance footage showing how Evelyn supposedly overpowered her. Unless your mansion lacks basic security? If Evelyn truly did this, I'll be the first to cut ties."

Adrian sensed the impending storm. He set down his glass, clamped a hand over Sophie's mouth, and physically dragged her away from Dominic.

Nathan raised his glass to diffuse the tension. "Enough unpleasantness! Tonight's for drinking - nobody leaves sober!"

The awkward silence persisted until Wesley clinked glasses with him.

"Who are you challenging? You're a lightweight," Michael teased. "I could drink you under the table in thirty minutes."

"Set a timer then! If I'm still standing after half an hour, you lose!"

"Deal! Prepare for humiliation!"

Their drinking competition began in earnest.

Meanwhile, Adrian had calmed Sophie. He apologized to Dominic while Sophie joined Evelyn at the grill.

Twenty minutes later, Lily approached Dominic with a skewer of "vegetables." "For you!" she announced sweetly.

Dominic eyed the greenery suspiciously. The child couldn't possibly think he'd fall for this - he'd just watched her picking grass from the lawn!

"I prefer meat," he said, studying Lily's face. Her resemblance to Evelyn stayed his hand.

"Mommy says don't be picky! Eat it!" Lily insisted, frowning.

Dominic remained unmoved.

Henry intervened, pulling Lily aside. "Too obviously grass. He's not stupid," the boy observed calmly.

Frustrated, Lily whispered, "But I want his stomach to hurt! I want him in agony!"

"Laxatives."

"Where do we get those? He likes meat - we could mix some in!"

Dominic overheard every word. He thought wryly, "Evelyn's brilliant - how did she raise such transparent schemers?"