Chapter 472

Dominic settled into the leather armchair, his piercing gaze fixed on Lucas as he poured out his frustrations.

"Let's be clear - your involvement with Zoe Montgomery was never Evelyn's doing. That decision was made for Sophia's wellbeing," Lucas stated bluntly, swirling his whiskey. "Evelyn remains completely unaware of your connection to Sophia. Her reaction is perfectly understandable."

Dominic's stormy eyes flickered with emotion. "What exactly do you believe my relationship with Sophia to be?"

A knowing smile played on Lucas's lips. "Would you like me to spell it out for you?"

"I expected nothing less from you," Dominic replied, his voice laced with quiet confidence. "You've always seen through me."

"Is this really about Evelyn's lack of trust?" Lucas probed, sensing the impending storm in their relationship.

Dominic's jaw tightened. "Wouldn't that explain everything?"

Lucas stroked his clean-shaven chin thoughtfully. "Not everyone possesses your level of composure, Dominic. Love makes fools of us all. Need I remind you of your jealousy toward Michael last year? You weren't exactly the picture of rationality then."

The light in Dominic's eyes dimmed as his shoulders slumped slightly. "This entire situation is my doing."

"Don't be absurd!" Lucas interjected, noticing his friend's despondency. "Sophia is your twin sister, isn't she? I'd wager Evelyn never even considered that possibility. Without explicit confirmation from you, how could she possibly know? The heart sees what it fears most."

A shadow of pain crossed Dominic's striking features.

"Secrets are human nature, Dominic. You're not at fault, nor is Evelyn. Perhaps you're simply..." Lucas hesitated before finishing, "not meant to be. Harsh as it sounds, I question whether she's worth this torment. You've sacrificed enough already. Walking away now might spare you greater pain later."

Dominic's dark brows arched sharply. "You're suggesting I abandon her while she carries my child?"

Lucas cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Not abandon, precisely. But must you invest so much emotional capital? She's a brilliant physician - more than capable of caring for herself. Once the child is born, you could assume custody and finally close this painful chapter."

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Dominic fell into contemplative silence, weighing Lucas's words.

The logic was sound.

Their continued entanglement would only breed more suffering for them both.

If Evelyn delivered their child safely, perhaps granting her freedom would be the merciful choice.

Meanwhile, at the Oceanview Grand Hotel...

Evelyn slipped discreetly into the business symposium at 10:32 AM, her bodyguard maintaining a protective distance.

Margaret Thorne sat prominently on the panel, sharing entrepreneurial insights with other business leaders.

Evelyn removed her oversized sunglasses, her emerald eyes hardening as they locked onto Margaret.

The previous evening's discovery still burned fresh - Michael had traced the leaked children's photos to a purchased corporate account.

The culprit? Margaret's personal assistant.

The assistant's actions were Margaret's by proxy.

No underling would orchestrate such an expensive smear campaign without explicit orders.

As the Q&A session commenced, Evelyn's hand shot up with deliberate precision.

The moderator gestured toward her. "Yes, the lady in the third row?"

"May I pose my question directly on stage?" Evelyn's clear voice carried across the auditorium.

A beat of hesitation. "Certainly!"

Every eye in the venue followed her graceful movement toward the stage - including Margaret's widening ones.

The color drained from Margaret's carefully made-up face at the unexpected confrontation.

Evelyn's bodyguard exhaled sharply. He hadn't anticipated this level of boldness from his charge.