Chapter 118

Moments later, Dominic's eyelids fluttered open as he blew out the flickering candles on the birthday cake.

The heavy drapes were suddenly drawn aside, flooding the dim room with golden afternoon light.

"What did you wish for, Dominic?" Lucas asked with an impish grin, leaning forward eagerly.

"Do you make a habit of sharing birthday wishes with everyone?" Dominic countered smoothly.

The room erupted in good-natured laughter.

Dominic carefully sliced a generous portion of cake and placed it before Evelyn with deliberate care.

"You should have the first piece," Evelyn protested, gently pushing the plate back toward him.

His lips curved slightly. "I couldn't possibly eat all that."

Picking up a silver fork, he took a small bite before sliding the plate back to her with an intimate gesture that didn't go unnoticed.

They might as well have been alone in that crowded room, so absorbed were they in their private moment.

The gathered executives immediately began catcalling and teasing.

"Should we start addressing Miss Thorne as Mrs. Blackwood now?"

"Go ahead and try! I don't think our CEO would object!"

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Laughter rippled through the group. "Miss Thorne wouldn't mind either, would she?"

Evelyn's pale skin flushed crimson from her neck to the tips of her ears, the heat of embarrassment radiating off her.

"That's enough," Dominic commanded, though his tone lacked its usual sharpness.

"Right, right... Let's have some cake!" someone quickly amended.

The elaborate cake was whisked away to be portioned and distributed among the guests.

As the last crumbs disappeared, servers began bringing in the main courses for lunch.

"Care for some wine, Miss Thorne?" Lucas offered, holding up an expensive-looking bottle.

Evelyn shook her head firmly. "Just water for me, thank you."

"Nonsense! At least have some juice or milk?"

"Water is perfect," she insisted, pressing fingers to her temples.

A wave of dizziness washed over her - likely from waking before dawn that morning.

The cloying scent of alcohol permeating the room from multiple open bottles wasn't helping matters.

After pouring Evelyn a crystal glass of ice water, Lucas noticed her untouched plate.

"Feeling uncomfortable, Miss Thorne? Don't be. We've all known Dominic for years - we're practically family!" he said warmly, trying to put her at ease.

Evelyn lifted heavy-lidded eyes. "It's not that. I'm just a bit tired after all the excitement."

Lucas immediately stood. "Let me show you to a guest room where you can rest."

Before Evelyn could respond, Dominic's hand closed over hers on the table. His piercing gaze locked onto Lucas. "I'll take her."

Someone promptly yanked Lucas back into his seat amid raucous laughter.

"Don't forget to come back!" Lucas called after them, half-laughing. "I still plan to drink you under the table, Dominic!"

Evelyn gently extracted her hand from Dominic's warm grasp. "A server can escort me. You should stay with your guests."

"I'm taking you," Dominic stated in that tone that brooked no argument.

There was something different about him since the accident, Evelyn realized.

Where she once bristled at his controlling nature, she now found herself unable - perhaps unwilling - to refuse him.

Somehow she knew that no matter how intimidating he appeared, he would never harm her.

Pushing his wheelchair through the doorway, they left the boisterous gathering behind.

"Who knew our ice-cold CEO could be so attentive?" someone marveled once they'd gone.

"He just hadn't met the right woman before Evelyn Thorne came along. She's got him completely bewitched!"

"Or perhaps it's the other way around? How many women these days would hand-knit a sweater for a man?"

Lucas interrupted the speculation with a dramatic sigh. "They're clearly smitten with each other. Dominic's fallen hard, and Evelyn's starting to return his feelings... Though if she were truly selfish, Thornfield Industries wouldn't have collapsed. Dominic offered her three hundred million to save it, and she refused. Could any of you turn down that kind of money?"

A chorus of emphatic headshakes answered him.

"No wonder the boss is so taken with her. Where else would he find a woman who treats money like it's worthless?"

"Watch your language! We're eating here!"

Lucas grinned mischievously. "Let's place bets on whether Dominic returns to lunch. I say he won't!"

The unanimous agreement made betting pointless - no one would take the opposite position.