Chapter 259

"Dr. Montgomery, Mr. Blackwood instructed me to deliver this to you." The security guard extended a crisp check toward Zoe.

Zoe accepted the slip of paper, her eyes scanning the staggering amount before letting out a derisive laugh.

"How remarkably generous! One night together and I'm worth five million dollars." She placed the check on the mahogany desk with trembling fingers, her smile bitter. "Did he have any other messages for me?"

The guard remained stone-faced as he shook his head.

A sharp pain lanced through Zoe's chest. "What does Dominic take me for? Some high-class call girl? Though I suppose the only difference is my price tag is significantly higher!"

Her medical textbook hit the floor with a resounding thud. "Does that man understand basic human decency?"

"Dr. Montgomery, you're receiving more consideration than most," the guard replied impassively. "Under different circumstances, you wouldn't see a single cent."

"Only because I'm still useful to him!" she spat, her eyes blazing crimson.

The guard adjusted his tie. "Precisely. Otherwise, you'd have been removed from the premises weeks ago. Miss Thorne never demands compensation from Mr. Blackwood. She understands her place."

"So now I'm the greedy one?" Zoe's voice cracked.

"You'd do well to focus your efforts on pleasing Madam Eleanor," the guard advised before exiting.

The words struck Zoe like lightning. She suddenly understood - she'd crossed an invisible line the moment she'd dared ask Dominic for commitment.

The guard was right. She needed to tread carefully and redirect her approach.

Meanwhile at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Evelyn's fever had finally broken. She stirred awake, blinking at the unfamiliar hospital room before her gaze landed on the imposing figure seated beside her bed.

Dominic watched her with unreadable intensity.

"Why is he here? How did I end up in the hospital?" Her mind raced.

"I—" Her voice emerged as a ragged whisper, her throat burning as if lined with broken glass.

Without a word, Dominic filled a glass with water, gently supporting her back as he brought it to her lips. The cool liquid soothed her throat, triggering fragmented memories of the previous night.

"More?" His deep voice rumbled.

Evelyn shook her head, pulling the blanket tighter around herself. "Why are you here? Who brought me in?"

The room held only the two of them. While Dominic might have been her rescuer, the night remained a blur.

"Mike's waiting outside." Dominic's chest constricted at the wariness in her eyes. "Evelyn, I came to ask you something important."

Her expression remained carefully neutral. "Oh? What about?"

"Did you come looking for me last night?" His piercing gaze missed nothing, cataloging every microexpression. "I remember you saying—"

"No." Her interruption was swift and decisive. "I had too much to drink last night and wasn't feeling well. Why would I seek you out?"

"Are you certain?" His Adam's apple bobbed. "You mentioned Sophia was crying."

"If you remember so clearly, why ask me? This only proves your memory's unreliable," Evelyn countered smoothly, maintaining her facade.

Dominic stood abruptly, all emotion draining from his chiseled features.

"In that case, my apologies for disturbing you." His voice turned glacial.

Evelyn's heart clenched, but she schooled her features into perfect indifference.

"Was there some significance to last night that prompted this interrogation?" She feigned casual curiosity, expecting him to storm out.

Instead, Dominic locked eyes with her and delivered his bombshell: "I slept with Zoe Montgomery. Would you consider that significant?"