Chapter 108
The Mooncrest Manor stood perched midway up the mountainside.
A serpentine but well-paved road wound its way from the base of the mountain directly to the manor gates.
Beyond that point, no proper trails led to the summit.
Darkness had already fallen when Dominic began his treacherous ascent from Mooncrest Manor.
Using his phone's flashlight, he pressed forward with urgent steps.
Fear for Evelyn's safety gnawed at him.
Tristan's malicious intentions toward Evelyn were clear, and Dominic dreaded what might be happening to her if he arrived too late.
Had he known about Tristan's vile schemes, he would never have let Evelyn out of his sight.
Thirty minutes later, Dominic's breathing came in ragged gasps, though that discomfort paled in comparison to the agony in his legs.
His physician had strictly forbidden any strenuous activity for six months.
Only gentle walking was permitted, and even that in limited durations.
Mountain climbing—with its brutal impact on knees—was absolutely prohibited and carried severe risks.
The night wind whispered through the trees, rustling leaves in the darkness.
Dominic staggered to a stop as searing pain shot through his lower body.
He tried calling his security detail again, but his phone still showed no signal.
He could turn back. The remnants of his strength might carry him down safely.
The thought flickered and died instantly.
Gritting his teeth, he forced himself onward.
Finding Evelyn and bringing her to safety was all that mattered.
Then disaster struck.
His battered legs finally gave out, sending him tumbling backward.
As he fell, fear for himself never crossed his mind—only Evelyn's face.
Her radiant smile, her sorrowful tears, the way her brows knitted in anger, her composed dignity...
Only Evelyn.
True terror struck at the last moment—visions of what Tristan Chamberlain might be doing to her!
He plunged into endless blackness.
The sickening thuds echoing in his skull marked each impact with jagged rocks and broken branches.
He didn't know where he was falling, or if this would be his end.
"Dominic! Can you hear me? Dominic Blackwood!" Evelyn's desperate cries pierced the night. "I never went up there! Dominic! I'm right here!"
"We're searching for you, sir!" his bodyguard shouted. "Make a sound if you can hear us! Just one sound! We'll find you!"
Only the mournful wind answered their calls.
With each step upward, Evelyn's dread grew.
The mountainside path was treacherously steep!
She could only ascend by clinging to the bodyguard's arm.
With Dominic's legs still healing, why would he attempt this madness?
How could he dare?
How could he be so reckless?
Hot tears streaked down Evelyn's cheeks.
"Dominic!" she sobbed between gasps.
The bodyguard, impatient with Evelyn slowing their progress, shook her off. "Wait here. I'll find him!"
He continued alone up the treacherous slope.
Evelyn wiped her tears and pressed forward.
She couldn't just wait helplessly!
She had to find Dominic herself!
She needed to tell him she'd never ascended this cursed mountain! Needed to scream that even if she had, he shouldn't have risked everything to follow!
Where was the brilliant strategist she knew?
What happened to his famous intellect?
His reason?
Had it all vanished like smoke? Through blurred vision, Evelyn pushed deeper into the unknown darkness.