Chapter 630

The sterile hospital walls seemed to close in on Evelyn Carter as she lay confined to bed rest. The last person she expected to see was Dominic Powell rolling through her doorway in a wheelchair.

After his recent car accident, steel rods now reinforced both his legs. His sudden appearance sent a jolt of surprise through her.

Alexander Whitmore had left for work at dawn, leaving Evelyn to obey doctor's orders. Boredom had settled in quickly, making her restless.

Just as she considered sneaking out, the door swung open. Nathaniel Powell pushed Dominic inside.

Evelyn had only endured half a day of hospitalization, but Dominic had suffered through a full week. His eyes lit up at the sight of her, while she instinctively pulled the blanket tighter around herself.

He'd watched yesterday's live stream. He knew about her award.

Nathaniel had spotted Alexander leaving the elevator when he went for breakfast. That connection led Dominic straight to Evelyn's room.

Dominic's voice turned thoughtful. "Seems the lesson wasn't strong enough."

Evelyn caught the dangerous edge in his tone. "What are you planning?"

"Since you're stuck here and your husband's dragging his feet, guess I'll have to intervene." His eyes gleamed with mischief, sending chills down her spine.

"Don't even consider it! We're not close enough for your 'help'."

Evelyn knew Alexander's feelings well. She wouldn't let him get tangled in her mess with Isabella Morgan.

Dominic's reckless reputation preceded him. She feared what he might do to Isabella, complicating everything further.

Dominic chuckled. "Still feeling sympathy for your attacker? Should I call you kind or just foolish? With that attitude, how will you protect your child?" His disdain for Alexander was palpable.

To Dominic, Alexander pretended to care while letting Isabella walk free as his wife lay hospitalized.

"If it were me," Dominic mused, "I'd have crushed Isabella already."

His gaze drifted to apple slices on the table - likely Alexander's doing before he left. Dominic popped one into his mouth, eyes lingering on Evelyn's belly. "Consider this a lesson for my future son."

Evelyn frowned, offended. "Dominic, what do you want?" She thought, "My child has nothing to do with him."

Dominic grinned. "I'm keeping an eye on you. Is that so hard to understand?"

Nathaniel slipped in, whispering urgently. Dominic's expression shifted to eager anticipation. "You're certain?"

Nathaniel nodded confirmation.

Dominic leaned closer, voice dropping. "Here's some gossip to pass time: my brother Sebastian's fiancée Victoria was kidnapped last night."

Evelyn frowned. "What's that to me?"

"Thought you might enjoy some entertainment," Dominic shrugged.

The rift between Dominic and his brothers was common knowledge. With Sebastian and Victoria's wedding weeks away, Dominic relished the unfolding drama.

Nathaniel sighed. "Probably a ransom. They're demanding $100 million from the Clarke family."

Dominic scoffed. "The Clarkes couldn't scrape that together overnight." The construction business struggled in this economy, even for top players.

"What's Sebastian doing?" Dominic asked, intrigued.

"Victoria's brother came this morning seeking funds from the Powells. But Mr. Sebastian Powell claimed they'd just purchased land and lacked liquidity." Dominic chuckled. "This gets better."

Despite their business arrangement marriage, Sebastian's cold response surprised even Dominic.

Nathaniel added, "Mr. Reginald Powell can't intervene either."

Dominic nodded. "The old man loves his public image."

Evelyn showed little interest in Powell family drama until Victoria's name registered. They'd been classmates.

During Evelyn's time with the Hayes family, Vanessa Hart constantly stirred trouble between Evelyn and classmates. Victoria alone had resisted Vanessa's manipulations.

Perhaps spoiled by her family, Victoria possessed an unshakable confidence. She'd called out Vanessa's schemes when others turned against Evelyn.

Evelyn initially mistook it for kindness, later realizing Victoria simply despised Vanessa.

Now, hearing of Victoria's kidnapping, Evelyn felt compelled to help. Richard Hayes had sent Christmas funds - perhaps she could assist the Clarkes.

Meanwhile, Isabella Morgan packed her dorm belongings under the orchestra's urgent eviction notice.

Penniless and directionless, she reluctantly called Alexander for help.

Seeing her name flash, Alexander tossed the phone to Simon Graves. "Handle this. I'm in a meeting."

Simon answered coldly. "Ms. Morgan, Mr. Whitmore is unavailable."

"Do you truly think it appropriate to ask a married man for housing? You have a fiancé, don't you?"

Isabella's blood boiled. "Fiancé? You mean Dominic? That's a joke!"

She snapped back, "My brother—"

"Mr. Whitmore owes your brother, not you. His terms are clear: apologize to Mrs. Whitmore for yesterday, or forget his help."

Isabella hung up, seething. She'd never gotten along with Simon.

Outside, staff pressed her to vacate. Tears welled as she thought, "Why is everyone against me? My family's gone, and now Alexander abandons me too."

One option remained: Sebastian Powell. The thought turned her stomach.

"Never letting Sebastian find me housing!"

Finally, Isabella made her decision: she'd apologize to Evelyn.

"Pride means nothing. If an apology regains Alexander's favor, what's the harm?"