Chapter 386

Evelyn felt nothing when she heard Zoe's confession. She was Dominic's enemy. She had never entertained the illusion that Dominic might believe her.

"Miss Montgomery. Your breath is atrocious. Has no one had the decency to tell you?" Evelyn raised her hand to cover her nose.

Zoe's expression twisted into something venomous. She wanted to scream at Evelyn, but she didn't dare open her mouth!

With a soft ding, the elevator halted. The doors slid open slowly.

Evelyn was the first to step out. Dominic stood nearby, his eyes lighting up the moment he saw her.

He strode toward her with purpose. Without hesitation, he grabbed Evelyn's arm and dragged her around the corner.

Zoe watched them pass by, rooted to the spot, her gaze locked on Evelyn.

She saw Evelyn shake off Dominic's grip. Then, she heard Evelyn's sharp words: "Your mother was the one who called me. What we discussed had nothing to do with you! Why aren't you investigating her death? Is harassing me your only solution?"

How bold! Zoe had never imagined Evelyn would dare speak to Dominic like that. Their exchange in the elevator had been civil by comparison.

Dominic's back was turned to Zoe, but she could see his posture stiffen.

"I'm not asking about my mother's death! I want to know what she told you! What did you two talk about in those five minutes? Evelyn, you know exactly what I'm asking—stop playing dumb!"

Evelyn scoffed. "Your mother is dead, and you don't even care how it happened? If you were my son, I'd be disgusted."

"What the hell are you saying?" Dominic snapped.

"Me? Illogical? Look at yourself!" Evelyn's eyes burned with fury. She finally spat it out. "Your mother didn't fall. She was pushed."

Dominic's eyes darkened with rage. "Who?" The word was a command.

"Zoe." Evelyn hesitated only a second before naming her. If she didn't tell Dominic the truth, she'd never forgive herself. "She admitted it to me. In the elevator."

Zoe heard every word.

She hadn't expected Evelyn to take the bait so easily. She'd thought Evelyn would be smarter.

Zoe inhaled sharply, forcing tears to her eyes. She marched toward them, her voice trembling. "Evelyn! How could you accuse me like this?" She looked devastated. "I moved out of the old Blackwood mansion yesterday. How could I have pushed Aunt Eleanor? At least get your facts straight before slandering me!"

Evelyn froze. Had Zoe lied to her in the elevator?

Normally, Evelyn could spot a lie—but Zoe was different. She wasn't a professional actress, but she was damn convincing.

Dominic's gaze shifted from Zoe to Evelyn. "Evelyn," he said, voice dangerously low. "Do you have anything else to say?" His eyes were full of bitter disappointment.

"Nothing." Evelyn held her ground.

"Apologize to her." His words were slow, deliberate. "Apologize to Zoe."

Evelyn stared at him in disbelief. "Even if I did slander her, I won't apologize. Because I only repeated what she told me. If that's slander, then she slandered herself."