Chapter 667

The moment Miranda Price crossed the threshold and saw the unfamiliar woman in Dominic Powell's bedroom, her lips curled into a knowing smirk.

Her informants had done their job well—they'd warned her a woman had slipped into Dominic's residence under cover of darkness. Now here was the proof, standing right before her.

Miranda's sharp eyes raked over Evelyn Carter, lingering on the unmistakable swell of her pregnant belly.

At nearly eight months along, Evelyn's condition was impossible to conceal, even beneath her oversized coat.

A man and woman alone together in the dead of night? Miranda's expression darkened like a gathering storm. "Dominic," she hissed, "who is this? Explain yourself."

Dominic moved instinctively, positioning himself between Evelyn and Miranda like a human shield.

Evelyn raised the acupuncture needles in her hand. "Mrs. Price, I'm Dr. Carter. Mr. Powell requested my expertise for his leg injury."

Miranda's laugh was razor-sharp. "A house call at midnight? How... unconventional."

When she noticed how Dominic's body tensed protectively near Evelyn, Miranda's suspicion ignited into fury. "You're engaged, Dominic! What's the meaning of this? And that child she's carrying—"

"Mine," Dominic declared without hesitation.

Evelyn's jaw dropped. She shot Dominic a glare that could melt steel, but he deliberately avoided her gaze.

Miranda's finger jabbed toward Dominic's chest. "You dare humiliate our family like this? An affair while engaged? A bastard child—"

In a flash, Miranda lunged forward, grasping Dominic's arm with bruising force. "We're settling this with your father tonight!"

Dominic winced as she yanked—his freshly bandaged legs rendered him immobile.

Evelyn darted between them. "His injuries are severe! He can't be moved!"

Miranda turned her venom on Evelyn. "Think carrying his brat makes you special? You're nothing to the Powells!" She shoved Evelyn hard.

Pregnancy made Evelyn unsteady. She stumbled backward, arms flailing—until Dominic's iron grip caught her waist.

Dominic hauled himself upright, his eyes glacial. His hand snapped out, seizing Miranda's wrist with a sickening crack.

"Touch her again," he whispered, "and I'll break the other one."

Miranda gasped. Never had Dominic defied her like this—not even during his worst punishments.

"You'd attack your own mother?" she shrieked.

Dominic's smile was arctic. "Keep testing me."

Evelyn interjected quietly, "That wrist needs immediate attention, Mrs. Price. Delay could cause permanent damage."

Miranda's glare promised retribution, but pain won over pride. She retreated toward the door.

"This isn't over, Dominic!" she spat before vanishing into the hall.

Silence descended like a shroud.

Dominic lounged against the headboard, flashing Evelyn a roguish grin. "So? How dashing was your baby's future father just now?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Alexander is plenty handsome, thanks."

Dominic's smirk faltered.

As Evelyn packed her medical kit, her thoughts churned. The Powell family rumors were ugly—Dominic, the product of Reginald Powell's infidelity, tolerated but never accepted.

"Provoking Miranda like that..." Evelyn hesitated. "Won't it backfire?"

Dominic's grin returned. "Worried about me, sweetheart?"

When he reached for her face, Evelyn sidestepped smoothly. "Professional concern only. My husband's waiting outside."

She moved toward the door, tossing over her shoulder, "Take the anti-inflammatories I prescribed. I'll check your progress in three days."

Dominic's eyes narrowed at her retreating back.

He barely registered her mention of Alexander. Only one phrase echoed in his mind: I'll be back.

XXXXX

The Carter-Whitmore residence was eerily empty when Evelyn and Alexander returned.

Isabella Morgan's belongings had vanished—suitcase, clothes, everything.

Evelyn frowned. "Where would she go at this hour?"

In this city, Isabella's connections were few. The fallen Morgan family held no power anymore.

Only one possibility remained: Dominic, her fiancé.

Alexander shook his head. "She's hiding to avoid being deported." He pulled out his phone, instructing Simon Graves to track her.

Neither anticipated how quickly events would spiral out of control.