Chapter 446

Evelyn glanced at the heart rate monitor strapped to her wrist, watching the numbers plummet from one hundred to eighty.

'Why is he here? Sophie specifically said she didn't invite Dominic or his associates. Did he just crash the party?' Her thoughts raced.

Sophie stood frozen beside her. She pinched Adrian's arm sharply. "What's going on? Why is Dominic Blackwood in my apartment?"

The atmosphere turned icy the moment Dominic stepped through the door.

Sophie clearly hadn't anticipated his arrival, yet lacked the courage to actually throw him out.

Adrian leaned in, whispering urgently. "Now that he's here, we should welcome him properly! Stop looking like you've seen a ghost and play along!"

With forced cheerfulness, Adrian approached Dominic. "Dominic! Lucas! What a surprise! Have you eaten? The kitchen's still stocked if you're hungry..."

"We're fine," Lucas cut in smoothly. "What were you all doing? We could hear the commotion from the hallway!"

His casual remark broke the tension slightly, easing the discomfort in the room.

"We were playing this attraction game where you lose if your heart rate spikes! Want to join?" Elise, Sophie's best friend, offered enthusiastically.

"Absolutely! How's it played?" Lucas grabbed Dominic's arm, dragging him toward the group.

Sophie shot Elise a murderous glare for inviting trouble.

Misunderstanding the look, Elise whispered, "Relax! If they lose, we get to prank them!"

Sophie's expression cleared instantly.

"Evelyn, let's move aside." Sophie helped Evelyn up from the couch's center, making space for Lucas and Dominic.

The heart rate monitor was removed from Evelyn's wrist as Elise approached the newcomers. "Who wants to go first?"

Without hesitation, Lucas pointed at Dominic. "Him."

Dominic's glare could have melted steel.

Lucas cleared his throat, grabbing a handful of snacks from the table. "What? I'm suddenly starving. Nerves, you know."

Elise extended the monitor to Dominic. "Put this on."

Dominic had always despised games of any kind. "I don't play," he stated coldly.

"Then why are you here?" Elise challenged, genuinely confused.

Adrian tensed beside them. Apparently Sophie's friends shared her reckless bravery.

'How are they not terrified of Dominic?' He wondered.

Just as Adrian moved to intervene, Dominic snatched the monitor from Elise's hand.

Lucas grinned, pulling out his phone. "Looked it up - simple rules. They show you videos, you win by not reacting. Perfect for you - nothing ever gets under your skin."

Overconfident, Lucas announced, "Let's make this interesting! I bet he'll win! Who thinks he'll lose? Name your stakes!"

Aside from Lucas, Adrian, Sophie and Evelyn, no one present knew Dominic beyond his intimidating reputation.

Ever the entertainer, Elise stepped forward. "I'll take that bet! If I lose, three shots. But if you lose..." She produced a full bottle of whiskey. "...you drink this entire thing."

"Deal!" Lucas laughed.

The women huddled together, scrolling through videos. For a man like Dominic, ordinary attractive women wouldn't suffice - they needed something truly provocative. "I've got classic romantic scenes," Elise murmured. "And some... considerably steamier options."