Chapter 63

Dominic knew everything Evelyn had said while strapped to the lie detector!

Was he truly the mastermind behind it all?

Did Dominic want to get his hands on Thornfield Industries' revolutionary new program?

A cold shiver ran down Evelyn's spine as the realization hit her. She ended the call with Julian and stepped out of her room.

Dominic and Lucas had finished dinner and were enjoying cigars in the grand living room.

Lucas immediately stubbed out his cigar when he noticed Evelyn approaching.

"Care to join us, Miss Thorne?"

Evelyn gave a curt nod and walked toward them.

Once she stood before them, she said, "I need to speak with Dominic alone."

Lucas blinked in surprise.

Was she dismissing him?

Flustered, he rose to his feet. "I'll take my leave then. You two should talk. Maybe take a stroll in the gardens—the night air is lovely."

He hurried out without another word.

Evelyn took Lucas' vacated seat. The image of Julian about to lose a finger steeled her resolve. "Julian just called. He's being held at a high-stakes poker table, and they're threatening to cut off his finger."

Dominic already knew.

His contacts at the casino had informed him.

Julian had been gambling recklessly all night.

"Does it upset you?"

Hearing Julian's name from Evelyn's lips sent a dark ripple through him.

"The men holding him believe he has Thornfield Industries' new system. They lent him money to gamble, and now they want the program as payment," Evelyn said, enunciating every word.

"You're among the few who knew he had it."

"Are you accusing me?"

Dominic's gaze turned glacial as ash drifted from his cigar.

"I'm just asking. If it wasn't you—"

"It was me," Dominic smirked, his voice dripping with malice. "Would you get on your knees and beg for him?"

Evelyn arched a brow. "Over my dead body."

Dominic's entire body tensed.

"You think I won't give the order to take his finger?" he snarled.

"Go ahead."

Silence.

"He used to swear I was the only woman he'd ever love, yet tonight he's off doing God-knows-what with my sister. If you cut his finger off, I'll light your next cigar. How's that?" Evelyn challenged.

The darkness in Dominic's eyes turned arctic.

It seemed Evelyn no longer cared about Julian Whitmore.

After all, the man had nothing left to offer her.

Dominic's phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen, then powered it off.

Moments later, Evelyn's phone rang. She checked the caller ID before shutting it down as well. The room was so quiet they could hear each other's measured breaths. After a long pause, Evelyn leaned forward.

"Don't play games with me, Dominic. If you do, I'll drag you down with me—and I won't let go."