Caught Red Handed

Evangeline stepped out of the tent, wearing the new dress, and twirled around. "Grandmother, do you like it?" she asked, shrugging slightly.

"It looks beautiful on you, my darling," Azielle replied with a warm smile. "Since you like it, I'll take it." She turned to the dressmaker, paid for the dress, and they left the shop.

As they walked into the living room, a bodyguard approached and bowed. "Lady Evangeline, your fiancé sent this bottle. He thought you forgot it and wanted it returned," he said, holding out a bottle of wine.

Evangeline glanced at the bottle and recognized it from the wine parlor. With a dismissive wave, she said, "Throw it away. I'm sure he poisoned it."

Azielle sighed and tapped her walking stick on the ground in exasperation. "Again with the assumptions, young lady. Dominic would never hurt you," she scolded. But Evangeline had already turned on her heel and walked away, ignoring her grandmother's words. Seeing this, Azielle sighed again and motioned for the guard to dispose of the bottle. "Just throw it away," she said wearily.

Evangeline stormed off to the greenhouse, clutching her purse like it was a weapon. As she entered, she spotted Dominic and Caleb by the fountain, deep in conversation. Her face reddened with anger at seeing him in her sacred place of relaxation.

"What are you doing here?!" she barked at Dominic, her fists clenched. She forced a quick, polite wave at Caleb, who was clearly startled by her outburst. The servants nearby exchanged wary glances, alert to the brewing storm.

Dominic turned at the sound of her voice and chuckled. "Oh, I'm sorry, Your Highness. I didn't know this place was yours," he teased, bowing his head mockingly. "I'll take my leave." As he started to walk past Evangeline towards the exit, a medium-sized stone suddenly hit him square on the head.

"Ow!" Dominic winced in pain, his hand flying to the fresh cut now bleeding on his forehead. Evangeline, showing no remorse, simply glared at him.

"Don't ever enter this place again. From now on, stay away from my greenhouse," she commanded, her voice dripping with venom.

"Uh... Evie, calm down," Caleb interjected, trying to defuse the situation. "I'm sorry for his recklessness. I'll take the blame."

"You did nothing wrong, Caleb. It's this Bratward," she said, pointing at Dominic as if he were a common pest.

Caleb bowed his head. "Rest assured, miss... he won't come here again," he promised, guiding Dominic towards the exit.

"Wait," Evangeline called after them. She rummaged through her purse and pulled out a handful of coins, pressing them into Caleb's hands. "This should cover the treatment for his head. Make sure he stays out of my affairs—and my mother's."

Caleb nodded and escorted Dominic out of the greenhouse. As they left, Dominic, holding a handkerchief to his bleeding head, chuckled. "She's an aggressive woman. I like that."

"Boss, we need to treat your wound first," Caleb said, concerned.

"I don't need her money," Dominic muttered. "I'll handle it myself. Just call the physician." He pressed the handkerchief more firmly against his head.

The servants, who had been watching the whole scene, started gossiping about Evangeline's rudeness towards Dominic. But in hushed tones, they agreed she might have a point, given Dominic's family background.

Later, Azielle heard about the incident and shook her head in dissatisfaction. She immediately started sending letters and making phone calls, making inquiries about her granddaughter's upcoming wedding.

As night fell, Dominic was in the guest room, reading guides on ruling a country and managing the hotel business—tasks Azielle had assigned to keep him busy. A bandage was wrapped around his head, and his long hair cascaded over his shoulders. He sighed, a smoking pipe in his mouth, unable to get the image of Evangeline out of his mind. Despite everything, he smiled and focused on his studies until his telephone rang. He answered it and then left the room.

Meanwhile, Evangeline paced restlessly in her bedroom, unable to sleep. She finally went out to her balcony, staring at the moonlight. "I need another bodyguard to protect me from that man... Leonard barely comes by now that he's married. But I don't want to disrespect him or my mother," she muttered to herself. "I need to find a way... I can't wait any longer. My wedding is in a few days. I'll make some inquiries tomorrow." She was lost in thought, enjoying the view, when she spotted a familiar figure with a bandaged head and strawberry-blonde hair. It was Dominic, talking to a suspicious-looking man. She gasped, immediately assuming he was plotting against her family.

"This is the information I've gathered on your brother," the man said to Dominic. "He's targeting the mine next."

"What business does he have with the mine? And which mine is it?" Dominic asked, his brow furrowing.

"The abandoned mine to the west, sir," the man replied, causing Dominic's face to darken with anger.

"That bastard! He's always targeting things that are mine," Dominic growled, his teeth clenched. Suddenly, he felt like he was being watched and turned his head towards Evangeline's balcony. She quickly ducked back inside, avoiding his gaze. Dominic squinted but saw no one.

"Phew, he didn't see me," Evangeline whispered, her heart pounding in her chest as she sighed with relief.

Noticing the bandage on Dominic's head, the man asked, "Did something happen to you?"

"I fell. It's nothing serious. Thanks," Dominic replied curtly.

As he turned to leave, he glanced up at Evangeline's balcony and smirked. "Pfft... this woman," he muttered, shaking his head before heading back into the building.

~CHAPTER END~