Chapter 100

The driver arrived with all of Dominic’s necessities, including a lavish dinner. Mrs. Wilkins had packed enough food in thermal containers to feed three people.

"Miss Thorne, here’s Mr. Blackwood’s medication. Thank you for taking care of him tonight." The driver handed Evelyn the medicine with care before leaving.

Evelyn sank onto the sofa, staring at Dominic’s belongings scattered across the table.

Had she been too lenient? She should have kicked him out hours ago. Now she was stuck dealing with this mess.

A cough echoed from the bedroom. Sighing, Evelyn grabbed the medicine and pushed the door open. With just the two of them in the apartment, she left it ajar for ventilation.

Dominic had showered and changed into fresh clothes, but the bed was a disaster.

"Do you have hot water?" His voice was rough with thirst.

Evelyn set the medicine on the nightstand and headed to the kitchen. Dominic followed, his steps unsteady.

"Where’s your mother?" he asked.

"Thanks to you, she’s staying at a hotel tonight." She thrust a glass of warm water into his hands. "Are you hungry? The driver brought dinner. You should eat something."

He hadn’t eaten since noon and had slept through the evening. He had to be starving.

"Just some soup." His appetite was nonexistent.

Evelyn retrieved the meal from the living room, including a steaming bowl of soup.

Dominic drank it slowly before setting the spoon down.

"I made a mess of the bed. Do you have clean sheets? I’ll change them." Though still pale, the shower had left him looking slightly more alert.

"Dry your hair first. I’ll handle the sheets." She couldn’t bring herself to snap at him when he looked this pitiful.

"Where’s the hairdryer? I couldn’t find it."

Evelyn marched to the bathroom and fetched it for him. He took it wordlessly while she stripped the bed and replaced the linens. Their movements were oddly synchronized, like a long-married couple accustomed to each other’s habits.

At nine, Evelyn’s phone buzzed with an incoming video call. She dismissed it without a second thought, but the caller persisted. Reluctantly, she answered.

Three faces from Thornfield Industries’ management team filled the screen.

"Evelyn, have you reconsidered Veritas Capital’s offer? It’s an incredible opportunity for us. What’s holding you back?"

"I spoke to Tristan’s assistant today. He confirmed Tristan hasn’t made any unreasonable demands—he’s just waiting for your response."

"We agreed on a deadline. This is for the company’s survival. Are you reneging on your word? We know you and Bianca have history, but what does that have to do with Tristan? No one else is willing to invest actual money in us!"

Evelyn’s temple pulsed as their voices overlapped.

"Give me another week."

"Another week? You said the same thing last time!"

"Exactly! How long do you plan to drag this out? If you don’t care about the company, just reject Tristan outright! But you’re neither accepting nor refusing—what’s your game?"

Evelyn exhaled sharply. "Tristan’s father’s birthday is next weekend. He invited me to the party. I’ll give you an answer after that."

"An answer to us? You mean an answer to him!"

"Yes. Next weekend. It’s late—you should all get some rest."

She ended the call before they could protest. Dominic sat beside her, and she had no doubt he’d be staying the night.