Chapter 14

In Evelyn's eyes, Dominic's face had transformed into that of a predator, his gaze sharp enough to pierce through her.

"Why?" she demanded, her voice laced with bitterness. "Even if you don't want children, there's no need to be so cruel!"

Dominic's dark eyes were icy as he replied, "Would you have taken the risk if I hadn't made myself clear?"

Evelyn inhaled sharply and looked away.

Fear coiled in her stomach, the sensation like teetering on the edge of an abyss.

Her reaction only deepened Dominic's suspicion.

A mocking smirk curled his lips. "Don’t tell me you were actually considering it?"

Evelyn glared at him.

"Take my warning seriously," he said, his voice dangerously low. "You know what I’m capable of. My actions will be far worse than my words. Don’t test me if you value your life." He turned his gaze to the window.

Clenching her fists, Evelyn snapped, "Relax. I would never have your children. You know how much I despise you. The only thing I want is a divorce—as soon as possible!"

These babies weren’t just his.

If she carried them to term, it would be for herself.

And when they were old enough, she’d tell them their father was dead.

"Not now," Dominic said, his tone calmer. "We’ll discuss it once my mother recovers."

Perhaps her words had struck a nerve.

Maybe he finally understood—he wasn’t the man she wanted.

"Don’t drag this out too long," Evelyn warned.

She bit her lip, anxiety gnawing at her.

If they delayed, her pregnancy would start showing.

And once Dominic found out, he’d force her to terminate it.

"You’re in a hurry to end this," Dominic observed, his cold eyes dissecting her. "Is there something urgent you’re hiding?"

Evelyn’s pulse stuttered.

"No! Nothing urgent. I just—I just can’t stand being with you. Has anyone ever told you how suffocating you are?"

"They wouldn’t dare," he replied dryly.

Evelyn scoffed. "No wonder you don’t like me. But I won’t hold back what I think."

Dominic studied her, as if trying to decipher her meaning.

"No man would tolerate his wife dressing like that and entertaining other men."

"A slip dress makes me a prostitute? Networking is 'entertaining'? What about when you do it?" Evelyn shot back. "Even if you held a knife to my throat, I’d still say I did nothing wrong."

They were from different worlds.

The only thing they shared was being human—everything else was a chasm.

"Are you saying you’d do it again?" Dominic asked, his smirk turning sinister.

Evelyn instinctively pressed herself into the corner of the car.

"I don’t even drink. I’d never risk it."

She would never endanger the lives inside her.

Even if Thornfield Industries collapsed, she wouldn’t sell herself for money.

Her answer seemed to extinguish the fire in Dominic’s eyes.

The car pulled up to the Blackwood mansion.

Evelyn bolted out the second it stopped, as if fleeing.

Dominic watched her retreating figure before ordering the driver, "To the office."

Evelyn exhaled in relief as the car disappeared.

After a brief nap, she arrived at Thornfield Industries by mid-afternoon.

She needed to liquidate some of her father’s assets to pay off debts.

She’d handle what she could before seeking investors.

The banks were no longer an option.

After last night, she’d burned bridges with Ravenswood Bank and Silvercrest Trust. Both managers had made it clear—no loans for her.

"Don’t blame yourself, Evelyn," Vincent said with a frown. "If you’d drunk with them, they might have crossed the line. I’d never ask you to do that."

Evelyn nodded. "I wouldn’t have done it even if you did."

Vincent’s cheeks flushed slightly as he handed her a list.

"I compiled this last night—potential investors in Ravenswood with the capital to save us. You just need to convince one."

Evelyn scanned the names, companies, net worths, and contact details.

Some had numbers. Others didn’t.

"How do I reach the ones without contacts?" she asked.

"Those are the elusive ones. We’ll have to approach them at their offices," Vincent explained.

Evelyn’s eyes snagged on the second name:

Dominic Blackwood. Male. Blackwood Group. Net worth: 15+ billion.

Contact: None.

Her face heated. "Dominic is worth that much?"

She grabbed a glass of water to hide her unease.

"That’s a conservative estimate," Vincent said. "He founded Blackwood Group during the internet boom. His real worth is likely much higher."

"I see…"

"Too bad I couldn’t get his number. We’ll have to go to Blackwood Group. I’ll come with you."

Evelyn shook her head violently. "No. I won’t meet him."

She picked up a pen and crossed his name off the list.

He’d never lend her the money. Asking would only invite humiliation.

On her way home, Evelyn stopped at a pharmacy.

She needed something for her bruise.

After the pharmacist recommended a few ointments, Evelyn hesitated.

"Are these safe for pregnancy?"

The pharmacist’s eyes widened. "You’re pregnant?"

Evelyn nodded silently.

The pharmacist immediately swapped the products for a bottle of pills.

"How far along? Since you’re not showing yet, now’s the perfect time for calcium. This one’s highly recommended—absorbs well."

Evelyn left with the supplements.

When she returned home, Mrs. Wilkins had kept dinner warm for her.

"What’s in the bag, Madam?" the housekeeper asked, spotting the pharmacy logo.

Evelyn hid it behind her back. "Just something for the bruise."

"We have plenty of medical supplies here. Just ask next time," Mrs. Wilkins said kindly.

Evelyn forced a smile. "I’ll remember. I’m going upstairs."

She turned—and collided with Dominic.

He’d arrived unnoticed during their conversation.

His sharp eyes locked onto the bag she’d tried to conceal.

"Why did you lie?" he asked, his voice dangerously soft.