Chapter 48: Away from Liora
When Mr. Lawrence returned from buying the groceries, he paused briefly at the entrance, adjusting the bags in his hands and on the way back, his mind had been restless. He had been wondering what kind of storm he might walk into.
Earlier, the tension between his young master and the wife had been so thick it was almost suffocating. He had expected cold silence, perhaps shattered porcelain, or worse that terrifying quiet that always came before Dominic anger fully surfaced but the moment he stepped into the house, he sensed something different which was the fact that the air was calm warm and even there was no single trace of the icy hostility that had gripped the mansion earlier.
He frowned slightly, then he heard soft sounds drifting from the kitchen light chatter, the faint clink of utensils, and something else laughter.
His brows lifted in disbelief and curiosity nudged him forward. He had assumed his young master might be in the kitchen out of stubborn pride, perhaps silently helping Liora wash vegetables as some awkward gesture of reconciliation but when he peeked inside, what he saw made him stop in his tracks.
They weren’t tense, they were talking comfortably. Liora stood at the counter, sleeves rolled slightly, carefully sorting vegetables a faint smile rested on her lips gentle and natural, not the polite one she wore around outsiders. Meanwhile, Dominic sat nearby, his posture relaxed in his wheelchair, watching her with a quiet intensity that almost felt domestic.
The sight stunned him and he exhaled slowly, the breath leaving him in a rush of relief.
All the worry that had weighed on him during the trip back dissolved instantly the whole time he had been outside, he had feared Dominic might lose control again. After all, his young master’s temper was infamous cold, sharp, and merciless when provoked but now, this looked nothing like rage.
“I’ve bought the groceries you requested, Young Mistress,” Mr. Lawrence said respectfully, stepping forward.
Liora turned immediately, surprise flashing across her soft features before warming into gratitude. “Thank you, Mr. Lawrence,” she said sincerely as she accepted the bags.
Behind her, Dominic slowly lifted his eyes just a small movement and a slight raise of his brow but it was enough, Mr. Lawrence’s heart skipped violently that single glance held far too much meaning a silent warning, a reminder of who truly ruled this house, which was him of course.
He swallowed and immediately lowered his gaze, retreating from the kitchen almost instinctively because he had no intention of overstaying his welcome.
Dinner that evening was unexpectedly harmonious, the table was filled with a variety of dishes simple but comforting. Steam curled into the air, carrying warmth that felt almost unfamiliar in the usually rigid Blackwood residence.
Liora quietly ensured everything was properly arranged before sitting down. Dominic ate without complaint, which alone spoke volumes he rarely tolerated food he didn’t enjoy. Mr. Lawrence, standing nearby, couldn’t help but feel astonished.
If someone had told him a week ago that the master of the Blackwood family would sit through a peaceful meal like this, he would have laughed but tonight, the atmosphere felt almost like a home and after dinner, once Liora retired to their bedroom, Dominic’s expression shifted almost immediately.
The warmth vanished and in its place returned the cold, calculating aura that defined him.
“Follow me,” he said calmly, Mr. Lawrence’s spine stiffened but he obeyed without hesitation. The study door closed behind them with a soft but final click.
Dominic wheeled himself behind the desk, his fingers resting lightly against the polished surface his expression was unreadable but Mr. Lawrence knew better than to mistake silence for mercy.
“I told you to deal with Ning Mufan,” Dominic said quietly. “Why haven’t I received any results?”
A chill crawled down Mr. Lawrence’s spine.
“I’ve already informed the Ning family,” he said quickly. “They were instructed to send him overseas but he refused.”
Dominic’s eyes darkened slightly, “He claimed,” Mr. Lawrence continued carefully, “that your wife is his girlfriend.”
The room’s temperature seemed to drop instantly and Dominic’s gaze sharpened like a blade. “What did you find out?”
Mr. Lawrence immediately pulled out his tablet, his movements precise. “Someone spread rumors about the young mistress on the university’s social media pages. The posts have already been erased.”
Dominic’s fingers stilled, “Deleted?” he asked coldly.
“Yes, completely wiped whoever did it used specialized technology and there was no digital traces left behind.”
That alone suggested planning, premeditation and maybe a trap. Mr. Lawrence continued, “The main instigator appears to be Sophie, she has admired Ning Mufan for years and resented the young mistress for being close to him.”
Dominic’s expression remained calm, but the stillness in his eyes deepened.
“And when the rumors spread,” Mr. Lawrence added, “it was Nicholas who publicly claimed the young mistress was dating Ning Mufan.”
Dominic frowned slightly. “Who?”
Mr. Lawrence cleared his throat awkwardly. “Nicholas is the son of Second Mr Smith his aunt is the mother of the Blackwood family’s third branch which makes him aligned with certain internal interests.”
Understanding dawned instantly and afaint, humorless smile touched Dominic’s lips.
So that was it, a family scheme. Someone within the Blackwood circle had orchestrated this carefully using outsiders as pawns to avoid dirtying their own hands.
A divorce trap and Liora, that naïve, kind hearted girl had believed it was nothing more than a misunderstanding.
Dominic almost laughed, "Since certain people care so much about reputation,” he said softly, “make sure they taste humiliation, thoroughly.”
Mr. Lawrence nodded immediately. “Understood.”
Then Dominic leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing. “How do you suggest I keep Ning Mufan away from my wife?”
The question was calm, but the danger beneath it was unmistakable, Mr. Lawrence hesitated.
For once, he didn’t immediately know the right answer, “It may not be possible to force distance directly,” he admitted honestly. “But if the young mistress understands people’s intentions clearly, she may choose to avoid him herself.”
He braced himself because he didn’t know if that was what Dominic wanted to hear but it was the truth, dome problems couldn’t be solved with power alone.
Dominic was silent for a long moment then he spoke quietly, “I already warned her.”
Mr. Lawrence looked up and he saw Dominic’s fingers unconsciously brushed his lips, as though recalling something vivid.
“She said she doesn’t want a divorce,” he murmured. “She even admitted she likes me.”
For a fraction of a second, the ruthless tycoon disappeared, in his place was something softer, something dangerously human.
Mr. Lawrence blinked, stunned because just hours ago, Dominic had been radiating killing intent but now he looked almost thoughtful almost dreamlike.
Whatever bond existed between Dominic and Liora it was far from ordinary, Mr. Lawrence allowed himself a small, knowing smile.
“I’ll make sure something happens to Ning Mufan,” he said firmly. “He won’t get close to the young mistress again.”
Dominic didn’t respond, but the silence was approval enough.