Chapter 428

The office door swung open with a sharp creak. Lucas took one look at Dominic's violent coughing fit and immediately rushed to pour him a glass of water.

"You shouldn't be working when you're still recovering! When will you ever listen to your doctors?"

Dominic slammed the glass onto the desk with more force than necessary before striding toward the bathroom. Lucas moved to follow but froze when his gaze caught the live stream still playing on Dominic's laptop.

"Eric, everyone's wondering—why did you choose to collaborate with Thornfield Industries? Was the payout too good to refuse?" The reporter chuckled suggestively.

Eric glanced at Evelyn with a soft smile. Just as he opened his mouth to respond, Evelyn smoothly interjected, "Actually, Eric told me he's been out of the industry for three years. Coming back felt like starting fresh, so he only charged us a modest fee."

The crowd erupted in murmurs. "Miss Thorne, how do you know Eric? You two seem quite close—and matching cream sweaters? That can't be a coincidence," the reporter teased, waggling her eyebrows.

A delicate flush crept up Evelyn's cheeks.

"Pure coincidence," Eric answered smoothly, shrugging off his brown jacket. "The hotel's heating is excessive—I had to take this off."

"Eric, with so many offers upon your return, why Thornfield Industries? What's your connection with Miss Thorne? How long have you known each other?"

Eric's gaze softened. "We met during my illness. This song was born from that time too."

Someone from the audience shouted, "Eric! Give us a live performance of your new song!" The crowd roared in agreement. Evelyn stepped back with an encouraging smile, surrendering the spotlight to him.

Back at Blackwood Group, Dominic emerged from the bathroom to find Lucas had closed the live stream.

Lucas couldn't fathom it. They were over. So why was Dominic still tracking her every move? Who she associated with now was none of his concern.

Why cling to this torment? Hadn't the last betrayal carved him deeply enough?

"Dominic, I'm taking you home," Lucas stated firmly, blocking his path. "Look at yourself. Planning to collapse at your desk?"

Dominic's face darkened. He clenched his fists and stormed toward the elevator, Lucas hot on his heels.

"She came to see me yesterday," Dominic rasped as the elevator doors closed.

Lucas blinked. "Evelyn? She visited you?"

"I didn't meet her." Dominic's Adam's apple bobbed. "That cream sweater today—it was deliberate. A provocation."

Lucas struggled to reconcile this petty image with the Evelyn he knew.

Yet the raw wound in Dominic's chest screamed that perhaps he'd never truly understood her.

"If you didn't love her, her wardrobe choices wouldn't affect you," Lucas said bluntly. "You can't change her. Change yourself."

Easier said than done.

If he could simply stop loving her, this agony wouldn't be shredding him alive.

Meanwhile at the Oceanview Grand, Eric's live performance sent the atmosphere skyrocketing.

Evelyn then took the stage as Thornfield Industries' president, outlining their expansion strategy and demonstrating upcoming products. With Eric lingering beside her, the live stream viewership swelled exponentially.

The marketing impact was nothing short of spectacular.

Over at Marvel Tech, Margaret watched the broadcast, her face contorting with rage.