Chapter 268

"You shouldn't go. Sophia is there too, and with those two guarding him, you'll definitely feel provoked," Sophie warned. "Dominic's mental state isn't stable right now. I thought maybe his company was in trouble, but Adrian said everything's fine. I suspect it has something to do with you?"

Evelyn returned to her office chair, sinking into the leather seat. "You're overestimating my influence, Sophie. He didn't break when I divorced him, so I doubt I matter that much."

"Then why is he acting so strange? It can't be because of Zoe, can she?" Sophie muttered, perplexed. "I heard she's been visiting the old Blackwood mansion constantly. That woman schemes like a chess master!"

The more Evelyn heard about Dominic and Zoe, the more unsettled she became. Maybe she could maintain her composure if they married someday.

Dominic and she were like parallel lines - moving in the same direction but never intersecting, destined to grow further apart with time.

"Sophie, how are things with Adrian?" Evelyn changed the subject.

"Same as always! He's giving it until year-end to win my parents over. If they're not satisfied by then, he'll return home to take over the family business," Sophie sighed. "Not everyone has Dominic's business acumen. Maybe Adrian and I are both meant to inherit our family empires."

"You're such a privileged soul."

"As if I could compare to you," Sophie chuckled. "Honestly Evelyn, I'm relieved you're not visiting Dominic at the hospital."

Evelyn feigned indifference. "It's not like he's dying."

"Would you go if he were?"

"If it were terminal, I'd visit out of basic human decency."

Sophie laughed. "His birthday's coming up - would you attend if invited?"

"No."

"Well, he's not planning a celebration anyway. He never does."

"Then why ask?"

"Just testing your resolve!" Sophie approved of Evelyn's determination.

After hanging up, Evelyn hesitated before finally calling Mrs. Wilkins.

The housekeeper answered immediately. "Evelyn?"

"It's me." A pause. "I heard Dominic's hospitalized. What happened?"

Mrs. Wilkins sighed. "His stomach. He went two days without sleep, then slept for two more without eating. His stomach rebelled."

"So he wasn't refusing food deliberately?"

"No. He tried eating when he woke up, but vomited blood." Mrs. Wilkins shuddered at the memory.

Evelyn felt relief. As long as Dominic wasn't self-harming, it couldn't be too serious.

"Don't worry, he'll recover soon," Evelyn comforted her.

"Have you visited him?" Mrs. Wilkins asked.

"I'm swamped with work," Evelyn deflected.

Mrs. Wilkins recognized the excuse.

"Please don't tell Dominic I called," Evelyn requested. "We're divorced - we should live separate lives."

"Of course," Mrs. Wilkins agreed, then abruptly asked, "Evelyn... is Henry actually Master Dominic's son?"

Evelyn's stomach dropped.

"Perhaps I shouldn't have asked?" Mrs. Wilkins apologized. "I've met Henry twice, and each time I see Master Dominic in him. Their resemblance is uncanny - in looks and temperament. Don't worry, this stays between us."

Evelyn barely remembered ending the call. She wasn't sure whether to be relieved Dominic had never suspected Henry was his. Initially, she'd hidden the children because he'd despised them enough to potentially harm them. Now, she had new reasons for secrecy.

With two women in his life, regardless of circumstances, it wouldn't be appropriate for the children to reconnect with their father. If reconciliation wasn't possible, they were better off not knowing the truth.

During Harvest Festival, the five thousand drones Thornfield Industries had supplied to Blackwood Group performed an aerial ballet above the corporate headquarters, their formations shifting like living constellations under Mike's expert control.