Chapter 149

An elderly woman peered out, suspicion etched on her face.

"We're here to see the family," Dominick said smoothly. I nodded.

The woman frowned. "Who are you? Why are you looking for Paisley and her daughter?"

Realizing she knew Paisley's name, Dominick softened his tone. "I'm her husband, and this is our son."

The woman's eyes narrowed. "Husband? Don't give me that nonsense! Paisley doesn't have a husband!"

A pang shot through Dominick's chest. "I'm her ex-husband. This is our son. We're not lying. Do you know where Paisley is?" He'd tried everything last night—calls, the police—only to find Paisley gone. He'd hoped giving her space would help, but he was met with another closed door. He'd finally gotten the neighbor to answer.

"Oh, you're the one Maria talked about," the old woman spat. "Paisley's scumbag ex-husband!"

"I'm not—" Dominick began, but she cut him off.

"Still denying it? You're a worthless ex-husband clinging to your childhood sweetheart, and your son prefers strangers to his own mother! Scum, both of you!"

Dominick's face hardened. He lacked the patience for this. He was a CEO; his expression still commanded respect. The woman flinched but held her ground. "Paisley moved out yesterday!"

"Moved out?" Dominick's heart lurched. "Where?"

"How should I know?" she snapped. "She doesn't want to see you! Stop knocking! It's annoying!" She slammed the door.

Grayson whimpered, tugging at Dominick's hand. "Dad, will we never see Mom again?"

Dominick's lips tightened. His reddened eyes betrayed his sorrow. He scooped Grayson up, a picture of heartbroken father and son. "We will, son. Dad will find Mom."

Without Paisley, Dominick could only take Grayson back to Vanderbilt Manor before work. As they entered, they heard cries.

"What's going on?" Dominick asked the butler.

The butler, noticing Dominick's red eyes, stammered, "Mrs. Prescott and Stella."

Dominick found Linda, Marissa's mother, frail and sobbing, Stella in her arms, kneeling before Lauren, begging for mercy.

Chapter 150

"Madam, you're head of the Vanderbilts. One word from you! Please, help Marissa and Jeremy! I can't live without my daughter, and Stella needs her father!" Linda pleaded, her forehead bruised from kowtowing.

Lauren slammed her hand on the sofa. "One word? I'm not all-powerful! They attempted murder! They tried to kill Paisley, Sonny's mother!"

Linda was stunned, knowing only of the arrest.

"Please, Madam! Look how I cared for Dom all those years!" Linda begged again.

Lauren's eyes hardened. "If it weren't for that, the Vanderbilts wouldn't have been so lenient! Marissa tried to kill Paisley, and even Sonny! Don't bother begging. I'm not saving them!"

Linda collapsed, speechless. Lauren, rising, saw Dominick and Grayson. "Why are you back? Didn't you see Paisley?"

Linda, eyes lighting up, crawled to Dominick, clutching his leg. "Dom, Marissa made a mistake. Please, for our years together, for everything I did for you, forgive her. Ask Ms. Sutton to forgive her too! A letter of forgiveness will lessen her sentence!"

Dominick looked at Linda's silver hair, sighed, and helped her up.

Linda smiled gratefully. "I knew you were a good boy, Dom. You wouldn't let Marissa suffer."

"Mrs. Prescott," Dominick said flatly, his voice devoid of warmth, "I won't help you this time."