Chapter 442

Sophie helped Evelyn into the car while Adrian followed closely behind. "Try talking some sense into her, Sophie!" he urged. "She's refusing to eat because of this ridiculous diet! It's not healthy at all, but she won't listen to reason. Look how thin she's become! She used to take evening walks around the neighborhood, now she barely moves from the couch..."

Sophie gave Adrian's shoulder a reassuring pat. "I'll handle it. Don't worry. This diet phase won't last forever."

"But why wasn't I invited today?" Adrian pouted.

"Because someone needs to watch the twins!" Sophie reminded him with a wink.

Once inside the car, Sophie waved goodbye through the window as the vehicle pulled away from the curb.

Evelyn leaned forward from the backseat. "Did you invite Nathan?"

Sophie scoffed. "Why would I? He's Dominic's assistant... I didn't invite anyone connected to the Blackwoods, including Adrian's old friend Lucas."

Evelyn couldn't suppress a small laugh.

"It's not just for your sake," Sophie continued, adjusting her seatbelt. "I genuinely can't stand them. You know what they say - birds of a feather flock together. If Dominic's a scoundrel, then everyone around him must be just as bad. If I'd met Adrian any later, he might've fallen under their toxic influence too."

Evelyn caught Adrian's eye in the rearview mirror as he pressed his lips together, wisely choosing not to argue.

"Evelyn, where did you get that gorgeous dress?" Sophie's attention shifted to her friend's outfit. "And that white blazer is absolutely stunning!"

Since her morning sickness had become unbearable, Evelyn had stopped going to the office. Bored at home, she'd turned to online shopping - the floral dress and tailored blazer were recent acquisitions.

"I'll send you the links!" Evelyn offered.

"Please do! It's been ages since I indulged in some retail therapy."

Adrian couldn't resist chiming in from the front seat. "Evelyn, if you're serious about losing weight, you should go shopping with Sophie more often! Walking around stores burns calories too - and it's much healthier than starving yourself."

Before Evelyn could respond, Sophie cut in sharply. "How Evelyn chooses to manage her weight is her business. Stay out of it."

"I'm just concerned about her health as your best friend," Adrian protested.

"Evelyn doesn't need your concern," Sophie retorted. "She has mine."

Adrian exhaled quietly, recognizing a losing battle. Sophie rarely got defensive with him - except when it came to Evelyn.

'She won't talk sense into Evelyn about this dangerous diet, and she won't let anyone else either,' he thought in frustration. 'What's her deal?'

An hour later, they arrived at the coastal estate. The weather was perfect - bright sunshine with temperatures reaching a comfortable 25°C.

Sophie and Evelyn stepped out hand in hand while Adrian discreetly snapped a photo of them walking toward the mansion. He immediately texted it to Lucas with a caption:

'Guess which one is Evelyn?'

Lucas hadn't paid much attention to Evelyn-related news since that awkward dinner at Dominic's place. The CEO had made it clear he wanted no updates about her.

Squinting at the photo, Lucas zoomed in. Sophie was easy to spot with her distinctive ash-blonde hair. The woman beside her wore a floral sundress with a white blazer draped over her shoulders.

The slender figure barely resembled the Evelyn he remembered. She looked almost ethereal, as if a strong gust might carry her away.

Lucas typed back: 'Don't tell me that's Evelyn in the floral dress.'

'That's her! She dieted herself down to nothing! I don't get why she's torturing herself like this. Unless it's for Eric? Otherwise it makes no sense.'

'You're exaggerating.'

'Not at all! Though I'll admit she looks striking - fragile and delicate now. If she'd looked like this when she was with Dominic, maybe they wouldn't have fought so much.'