Chapter 211

Evelyn arrived home earlier than usual that evening.

As soon as Clara brought Henry home from school, she scooped up Lily and disappeared into the bedroom.

Little Henry immediately understood what was coming when he saw his grandmother carry his sister away.

"Hand me your backpack, Henry," Evelyn said, extending her palm toward her son.

With both hands, Henry obediently passed his school bag to his mother.

Evelyn unzipped the bag and retrieved the laptop.

She didn't power it on, but instead said sternly, "Uncle Lucas told me everything. You've been using the skills he taught you for all the wrong things. Do you realize that's illegal, Henry? Do you understand the consequences if you get caught?"

Without missing a beat, Henry replied, "I'm only four. Can they arrest a four-year-old?"

Evelyn found herself speechless.

Even with Dominic Blackwood's influence over Eldermere, sending a preschooler to prison would be impossible.

But that wasn't the real issue here.

The real problem was her son's moral compass was dangerously skewed.

"You won't stay four forever. You'll grow up," Evelyn said, trying to impart wisdom. "I can't let you repeat these mistakes, so I'm taking your laptop away for now."

"Uncle Lucas will just buy me a new one," Henry countered.

A sharp pain shot through Evelyn's temples as she sighed. "Are you determined to be difficult?!"

Henry shook his head. "I won't mess with Dominic Blackwood anymore."

As long as he left Dominic alone, no one would trace the cyber activities back to him.

"No dinner for you tonight," Evelyn declared, clutching the laptop to her chest as she marched toward her room. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Henry knew his mother would never physically punish him, but seeing her distressed expression twisted something in his chest.

All he'd wanted was to teach that man a lesson for hurting his mother.

At precisely seven o'clock, Zoe Montgomery received a text notification.

(Meet me tonight at 10 at the Oceanview Grand Hotel, Room V809. I want to get to know you better. Dominic.

Was Dominic Blackwood really inviting her to a hotel room at night?!

The implications were impossible to ignore.

They were both consenting adults.

Even someone inexperienced in romance would understand the subtext of such an invitation.

Why this sudden change in Dominic's behavior toward her?

Zoe didn't dwell on the reasons - her mind was already spinning with giddy anticipation.

She needed the perfect outfit tonight, something unforgettable that would cement her place in his heart.

She was determined to completely replace Evelyn Thorne in Dominic's affections.

Meanwhile at Mooncrest Manor, Henry and Lily had finished their bedtime routine.

Lily suddenly produced a chocolate bar from beneath her pillow. "Grandma asked me to give this to you, Henry. She was worried you'd be hungry... Quick, eat it!"

Henry shook his head in refusal.

Undeterred, Lily dug under her pillow again.

Moments later, she triumphantly produced another identical chocolate bar.

"Mommy sent this one too. She's also worried about you being hungry. Please just eat one, Henry! We can share - one for each of us. Okay?" Lily pleaded with big, round eyes.

"Did Mommy really say that?" Henry studied the chocolates in his sister's small hands.

They were clearly from the same batch.

"Yes! Actually, both are from Mommy. She told me to pretend one was from Grandma first because she felt embarrassed..."

A rare warmth softened Henry's usually serious expression. Meanwhile, as the clock struck ten, a stunning figure appeared at the entrance of the Oceanview Grand Hotel.