Chapter 163

"That's absolutely right! What was I thinking? Best choice you've ever made, ditching that guy!" Sophie let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. "So what's your schedule looking like tomorrow? Dinner's on me. We're celebrating your newfound freedom!"

"My schedule? Jam-packed. I own Thornfield Tower now," Evelyn replied with a tired smirk.

"Oh, I know all about it from Adrian. Cost you a fortune, didn't it? My ridiculously wealthy best friend."

"Eighty million dors, actually," Evelyn corrected, her voice steady. "He returned the extra twenty million this evening."

Sophie snorted. "Honestly, what is this back-and-forth between you two? It's like watching children bicker over toys."

"I'm just drawing a line in the sand," Evelyn said firmly.

"And I fully support it. That man is ruthless. I told Adrian to steer clear of him!" Sophie's tone dripped with bitterness.

"It's late. I should get some rest—I can barely keep my eyes open." Exhaustion weighed heavily on Evelyn, her eyelids like lead.

Dominic had made his devotion to Sophia painfully clear. To the world, it was a grand, romantic gesture.

Good. This was the closure she needed.

Meanwhile, in a lavish penthouse across town, Bianca stared at the news broadcast about the million-dor reward. To her, it looked like Dominic had completely lost his mind.

"Sophia... who?" she muttered under her breath.

Where had this woman come from?

Bianca had managed Dominic's affairs for years. Never once had she heard of a Sophia.

Then she noticed the details—the short, boyish haircut, the frilly pink dress in the missing person's poster.

A memory flashed—Evelyn's cruel prank.

At the time, she couldn't fathom why Dominic had been so furious.

Now, staring at Sophia's photo, it clicked.

No one else had that haircut. No one else could be Sophia.

Tears spilled silently as Bianca drained her wine glass.

Drunk and desperate, she dialed her brother Tristan overseas.

"Tristan... you won't believe this... Dominic's been obsessed with someone else this whole time..." Her voice cracked.

"He's offering millions for Sophia! Have you ever heard of her?"

"No," Tristan replied sharply. "Bianca, I warned you not to go back there. What good has it done you?"

"Oh, Tristan, I feel like such a fool. Even more pathetic than Evelyn." Her sobs dissolved into hysterical laughter.

"Guess what? Evelyn bought Thornfield Tower for a hundred million dors. A hundred million! I could never pull that off. That woman's loaded beyond belief."

Four years ago, Bianca wouldn't have given Evelyn a second glance. Just some nobody clinging to Dominic's coattails.

Now? The name Evelyn Thorne made her stomach twist with envy.

Tristan whistled. "Since when did Evelyn Thorne have that kind of money?"

"Exactly. I'm the one falling behind. Dominic will never want me. Even without Sophia... Evelyn's younger, more successful... I'm a joke..."

"Bianca, snap out of it!"

Tristan's voice softened. "Dominic isn't who you think he is. He's greedy, selfish. He juggles you, Evelyn, and still pines for someone else."

"And let's not forget the rumors about his father's death. That's not just greed—that's dangerous. Stop wasting your life on him!"

Bianca tugged at her hair, whispering, "Fine... Tristan... I know what I have to do now."

At three in the morning, Lily jolted awake. Sophia was burning up.

She fumbled for the lamp, heart pounding.

Sophia's skin was flushed, her breathing shallow. Half-conscious, she whimpered, "Big Brother... hug me... please..."

In her feverish dreams, she was calling for Dominic.