Crushed Affections (Dominic and Bella)
Chapter 364 An Intimate Connection

Bella's mood remained heavy all day, her emotions weighed down by everything that had happened.

When she got home after work, Dominic was already gone.

She glanced at the neatly made bed and, on impulse, leaned down to inhale. A faint trace of his scent still lingered in the sheets.

It was a strange sensation as if there was some kind of intimate connection binding them.

Dominic might not have been the greatest misfortune of her life, but she couldn't deny that meeting him had been her greatest stroke of luck. From the very beginning, he'd been a bundle of contradictions.

...

The night seemed calm, but for the Sawyer family, it was anything but ordinary.

Daniel had summoned his three sons back to Sawyer Manor, insisting he had an important announcement and urging them to clear their schedules.

Leonard arrived first, only to be pulled aside by Diane for a private conversation. "Leonard, your dad's planning to discuss the division of inheritance between you three. When he starts talking, try not to say too much. Act like his decisions don't concern you, as if you're just going along with whatever he says."

Leonard frowned. "Isn't Dad's health fine right now? Why is he suddenly bringing this up? Is there something wrong with him?"

Diane reached up and gently patted his head, a gesture that made Leonard shift uncomfortably. "Mom, I'm an adult now. This kind of thing makes me feel awkward... What's going on?"

Diane held his hand tightly, refusing to let go. "Your dad's fine. I have no idea what he's thinking. Out of the three of you, you're probably the only one genuinely concerned about his health. The other two seem more like they're here to collect a debt. Given our situation, we need to tread carefully, choose our words wisely, and take things one step at a time."

Leonard nodded, understanding her reasoning. "Got it. I won't say anything I shouldn't. Honestly, the inheritance isn't that important to me. I just want a peaceful family.

"I'm not even Dad's biological son,

so I don't expect the same treatment

as my brothers. Dad doesn't need to

go out of his way to keep things 'balanced'-it'll only make them resent me."

Diane looked at him with a trace of sadness. "That's how you feel, but your brothers don't see it the same way. No matter how close you were as kids, not that you're all grown, you're a thorn in their side. To your dad, treating you unfairly would feel like he's being prejudiced against you, so he has always tried to keep things even. Just remember what I said and head downstairs."

In the downstairs lounge, Pierre was already there, with only Xavier yet to arrive.

Daniel's expression was tense. "Xavier's getting more and more out of line. Calling him home is like asking him for a favor."

Pierre spoke up, "Maybe he got held up on the way. Let's give him a few more minutes."

Despite his words, Pierre's expression showed no real concern for Xavier. When it came to the inheritance, he viewed both Xavier and Leonard as rivals. After about 30 minutes, Xavier finally strolled in.

As his gaze swept over everyone gathered, it darkened briefly when it landed on Leonard and Diane. Before even sitting down, he asked, "What's this about?"

Daniel slammed his hand on the

table, his voice sharp with irritation. "If you don't want to be here, your share of inheritance can be split between Pierre and Leonard. Don't give me an attitude. You're still too green for that!"

The mention of the inheritance made Xavier hold his tongue.

Daniel didn't press the matter further. He gestured to the butler, who brought out four pre-prepared contracts-one for each of his three sons, and one for Diane.

Diane hadn't expected there to be anything for her. Under the sharp, unfriendly gazes of Pierre and Xavier, she opened her contract hesitantly.

When she read the contents, she exhaled in quiet relief, then closed it and placed it back in front of Daniel without a word.