Chapter 140

Lily's breath caught in her throat as she stared at Julian's photo glowing on the laptop screen.

"He's gorgeous!" she squealed, bouncing on the bed.

Henry slammed the laptop shut with a scowl. "Looks don't matter when you're a coward who abandoned us."

The twins had never heard a single harsh word about their father from Evelyn. Whenever Lily asked about him, their mother would simply say, "You don't have a father."

Henry flopped onto his pillow, glaring at the ceiling. "He won't care about us," he muttered darkly.

Lily's lower lip trembled. "But why? We don't want anything from him! I just want to meet him once!"

"Go to sleep."

"I can't!" She kicked the blankets in frustration. "I want Daddy!"

Henry's jaw tightened. The mere thought of their so-called father made his blood boil. "Enough!" he snapped.

Lily immediately stilled. Sensing her brother's anger, she wrapped her tiny arms around him. "I'm sorry, Henry. I won't talk about him anymore if it upsets you."

Henry sighed, gently pushing her away. "I'll figure something out," he conceded.

Lily's entire face lit up as she hugged him again. "You're the best brother ever! I'll listen to whatever you say!"

Meanwhile, Evelyn stood motionless before the floor-to-ceiling windows in her penthouse, watching the city lights twinkle below.

Four years.

It felt like both an eternity and the blink of an eye.

Though she'd severed all contact with Dominic, their legal bond remained unbroken. The divorce papers still bore only one signature.

Evelyn dialed her lawyer with steady fingers. "Try again tomorrow, Mr. Thornton. If he refuses, inform him I'm taking this to court."

Her voice didn't waver, though the memory of her tear-stained face at the airport four years ago flashed through her mind.

How naive she'd been.

While she'd been drowning in grief, Dominic had been photographed at galas and charity events, living his best life without her. That realization had hardened her resolve to move on.

"You're back in Eldermere, Miss Thorne?" Mr. Thornton asked.

"Yes."

"Perhaps you should meet him in person? He stopped taking my calls ages ago—probably blocked my number."

Evelyn's grip tightened on her phone.

"Of course, I can contact him from another line if you prefer," the lawyer continued. "But face-to-face discussions tend to yield better results."

"Use a new number," Evelyn said firmly.

"Very well."

After hanging up, she scrolled through her contacts. Rebuilding Thornfield Industries wasn't her only reason for returning.

She would restore her father's empire to its former glory—no, she'd make it greater than ever. Every stolen cent would be reclaimed, with interest.

Her finger hovered over the name of Thornfield's former HR manager before pressing call.