Chapter 100

"Stop crying. Those tears will ruin your perfect makeup."

Dominic Prescott reached into his tailored jacket, producing a silk handkerchief with effortless elegance. His fingers brushed against Natalia Petrova's cheeks with practiced gentleness, dabbing away her tears.

Natalia's pulse raced at the touch of such a refined, aristocratic man. His attention only confirmed what she already believed—she was irresistible.

This must be my knight in shining armor, she thought dreamily.

She leaned subtly into his space, fluttering her lashes. "Thank you. I feel much better now."

Dominic's lips curved. "I'm glad." He pressed the handkerchief into her palm, lingering just a second too long. "That melody from earlier—was that you playing? It was exquisite."

Natalia stiffened. The truth would only give Evelyn Whitmore another moment to steal her spotlight. She bit her lip, feigning regret. "The song you heard... it came from this ukulele. But now it's ruined."

"What a shame." Dominic's gaze darkened as he finally looked at Evelyn. "Why would you break it, little sister?"

Sister? Evelyn's eyebrow shot up. She shot Nathaniel Grayson's friend a withering glare. First Nathaniel with his bizarre behavior, now this guy. No wonder they're friends.

Natalia gasped. "Sister? What do you mean?"

Dominic's smile never wavered. "She's my sworn brother's woman. That makes her family."

"His—what?" Natalia's face twisted in disbelief. She stared between Evelyn and Dominic, betrayal sharp in her chest.

How does that wretched Evelyn keep stealing everything that should be mine?

Dominic turned, addressing the figure leaning against the doorframe. "Quit lurking. Your darling just destroyed this poor girl's instrument."

Evelyn followed his gaze. Nathaniel strode forward, hands tucked casually in his pockets, his expression unreadable.

Her jaw clenched. Great. Just what I needed.

Dominic handed the damaged ukulele to Nathaniel. "See these scratches? Your little troublemaker's handiwork."

Nathaniel inspected it for half a second—then smashed it against the wall.

The sound of splintering wood echoed through the room. The neck dangled uselessly in his grip before he tossed it aside like garbage.

Natalia shrieked. "My ukulele!"

"Compensate her, Lucas," Nathaniel ordered, tone icy.

Lucas Sinclair nodded. "Right away, sir."

Nathaniel ignored the chaos, his focus solely on Evelyn. "Are you done here?"

Evelyn stared at the wreckage, lips parted. "...Yeah. We can go."

His arm slid around her shoulders, steering her toward the exit.

She halted abruptly, twisting back. "Lucas—pay the original price. Not a cent more. He won't reimburse you for overpaying."

Lucas sighed. "Understood, Miss Evelyn."

With that, Evelyn let Nathaniel lead her away, leaving stunned silence in their wake.