Walter's hot breath cascaded down Evangeline's neck, his chest pounding against her bare back."So you're just going to walk out? Is streaking your thing now?"She would rather go naked than stay?Evangeline fought back. "Let go! You're the one who told me to undress, or do you think I should strip off the last two pieces as well?"She held back her feelings, her voice low and tense, "Walter, do you have any idea how despicable you are?"Walter's face was drawn tight, the friction between them making him uncomfortable. He clenched his jaw and kept his composure.Then, he picked up a trench coat from the pile of discarded clothes and draped it over her shoulders from behind."Go ahead and leave if that's what you want. Nobody's stopping you. Once you're out that door, though, you can forget about the Gordon family's shares!"Evangeline turned, her fiery gaze blazing beneath a tangle of hair. "Are you out of your mind? We're getting a divorce and splitting assets. Those shares we
The bedroom door stood closed before Julia. She knocked tentatively, only to be met with Walter's gruff voice from within."Leave me alone."The rebuff startled Julia, but she did not give up. "Walt, it's me, Julia. Can I come in?"Her voice was a soft whisper in the tense silence.Inside, Walter broodingly sat on the couch with a cigarette dangling from his lips. He was the picture of brooding, his eyes fixed on the window where he had last seen Evangeline's retreating figure.No answer came.With a deep breath, Julia smoothed her skirt and pushed the door open.Chaos greeted her. The bedroom was in disarray, Evangeline's clothes strewn about as if in the wake of a storm. Walter lounged on the couch by the window, his profile a mask of icy detachment.He was the epitome of allure, his very presence a siren call of raw magnetism that kept others at bay—a trait she found utterly captivating.However, as she stepped forward, Walter's gaze snapped to her. His voice was a low rumb
Before Evangeline could get a word in, Roslyn's voice crackled through the phone, fiery and fierce."Last night's drama? I've heard it all. That jerk Walter has quite the audacity, alright! You're about to kick him to the curb, and he's got the nerve to say you can't see other guys? The nerve!"Roslyn's tirade against Walter was relentless, and she barely paused for air. "Evie, don't waste your tears on that loser. The world's full of decent guys. So what if you want to date a younger guy? If Walter's got a problem with it, we'll just find you a whole lineup!"'That might be overkill,' thought Evangeline. Nevertheless, the rant did take the edge off her mood.Without giving Evangeline a chance to chime in, Roslyn barreled on. "Where are you? Leave tonight to me. I'm throwing you a singles bash. Sure, finding someone richer or hotter than Walter might be tough, but there's a sea of guys who are sweeter and know how to treat a woman right. Be at Kronovia Royale Pub at eight, and let'
Julia, having heard of Walter's location, hurried to the pub with her friends in tow. She was Walter's ex-girlfriend, and their recent reunion had rekindled old flames.She could not let another opportunity slip through her fingers, not after the one she missed with the Gordons. She had taken extra care with her appearance, donning a white, flower-dotted dress that flared like a pristine lotus, a stark contrast to the pub's vibe."Check out the lady in red over there. Isn't that Roslyn, the pop queen?" a friend whispered to Julia, nodding toward the glamorous figure in the distance.It was difficult not to notice Roslyn, surrounded by a dazzling entourage of gorgeous men and women."Why is she everywhere, haunting us like a bad penny?" Julia muttered, spotting Evangeline sipping drinks with Roslyn."Isn't that your sister Evangeline with Roslyn?" someone asked, recognizing her. "How on earth is she rubbing elbows with a star like Roslyn? She's just a country girl, isn't she?"Jul
The two sides were a whirlwind of flying hair and ripped clothing, the fight heating up by the second. Evangeline, emboldened by the booze, dove into the fray. Roslyn had her back, and she was not about to let her down.The commotion in the bar drew a crowd of rubberneckers in no time.While bar fights and disputes were common, they were rare at Kronovia Royale Pub. After all, it attracted influential figures, and any altercation there was scrutinized for its potential repercussions.Caden had planned a laid-back evening with Walter, hoping to enjoy some drinks and the company of lovely ladies, pouring out their hearts. However, Walter was more interested in sulking over his drink, a total killjoy.The other side of the hall was in utter disarray. Word had it that the celebrity Roslyn was in a tussle, and Caden could not resist the urge to check it out.He was back before long."Snap out of it, yo! The brawl over there involves Evie-Baby and your so-called new flame." Caden jostl
Julia's friends, bolstered by Walter's arrival, found a renewed sense of confidence.Evangeline remained silent."Walt!" Julia's voice dripped with sweetness as she preempted any other conversation. She ran her fingers through her hair, and tears streamed down her face in gratitude for her timely rescue."I don't know what I've done wrong, but my sister and her friends just attacked us. Look at my face—it's all swollen."To be attacked twice in one day…This time, away from the Gordon estate, Julia was determined not to let Evangeline get away with it.Julia's tears were a portrait of distress, though the slap marks on her face lent a touch of the absurd to her plight.Walter stared at Julia's bruised cheek before glaring at Evangeline icily.It was bad enough Evangeline had struck him, but she was even cavorting with young men too? They were not even divorced yet, and she was already so impatient!Taking in her flawless makeup and the sultry dress that was a far cry from anyt
Just then, the wail of police sirens pierced the air outside.Evangeline laughed, standing amid the glow of neon lights that cut through the night.A fleeting look of loneliness crossed her face only when Walter had taken Julia away, leaving her fate to the cops. When she made her way to the station, however, she showed no fear.She looked tranquil, her eyes calm and kind as she faced Ruby, the woman across from her."Pretty brave of you, calling the cops on me.""Ha! I'm not the only one who wants you locked up; Mr. Walter Gordon does too. You think you can hurt Julia and get away with it? A nobody from the sticks trying to outshine Julia? You lay a finger on her, and Mr. Walter Gordon will make sure you won't know what hit you.""Alright, then. Remember what you said. Just don't end up regretting them."That was when the police showed up."Nobody's leaving. Everyone here, you're all coming back to the station with me."Evangeline did not resist. She simply smiled at the offi
However, Ruby quickly shook off the feeling of being overpowered by a woman from the countryside."Alright, then! Let's see how long you can keep that smug look on your face. Open the door," Ruby ordered, her pride flaring like a peacock's feathers.She was mortified that Evangeline's stare had rattled her and was determined to show who was boss around there.Evangeline, weary and worn, was escorted by two hefty men.Roslyn was incapacitated, so it was up to Ruby to exact revenge for her friend Julia, to return the pain inflicted by Roslyn a thousand times over.She delivered a resounding slap.Evangeline did not flinch. It was not that she could not dodge or lacked the ability, she simply chose to let Ruby have her moment.She vowed to make them pay, to give back as good as she got, a thousand times over. However, her thoughts were a jumbled mess, haunted by the recent debacle at the bar.Pain scared her, yet Walter, upon arriving, did not even bother to ask if she was hurt. A
The pain was so intense that Alex felt like he was choking.He tried to speak, to ask why, but memories of his younger years clamped his mouth shut. After all, calling out Trey for his unfairness was like asking to be kicked when he was already down.Alex had always been the outsider in the Gordon family, especially in Trey's eyes.Both were grandsons, but Trey treated Alex and Walter worlds apart. Alex could do something flawlessly and barely dodge a scolding, but if Walter did the same, Trey would sing his praises to the heavens.Eventually, every servant in the Gordon mansion knew Alex was the grandson Trey did not care for. He became the invisible one, the kid who got nothing from the Gordons but food, drink, and a ticket to school. Not a shred of the warmth and affection that should come with family.Little Alex watched everyone fawn over Walter, and a seed of envy and jealousy sprouted silently in his heart. Those feelings for Walter, tangled and twisted, just grew more comp
However, the line between paradise and disaster was just a heartbeat away.At Walter's eighteenth birthday bash, Trey handed over the reins of Gordon Group to him as a rite of passage gift, right in front of everyone.Alex, who had always seen himself as the head of the Gordon family, turned into the punchline of a bad joke that day, in the eyes of all the guests and the Gordon family.Stunned, Alex stood rooted to the spot until Trey's pointed look snapped him back to reality.He gritted his teeth and stayed until the party was over. Walter, holding the appointment papers, looked bewildered as he caught Alex's eye.It was obvious that he was just as clueless about why a simple birthday had turned his world upside down.The brothers were about to speak when Trey suddenly whisked Alex away.In the silence of the study, Trey did not lecture Alex. He just floated a few comforting words his way."Alex, you've put in a ton of work at the company over the years. Now that Walter is al
Alex's eyes were dead serious. He was not kidding around.Walter's gaze sharpened as he tucked away his inner scoff. "Why the sudden need for a job? What's got you coming to me?"Or could it be that the mighty son of the Gordon family can't snag a job in the sprawling Avalon City?"By the end of his words, Walter's eyes brimmed with scorn.The brothers had shared their childhood, growing up side by side.Walter, the youngest son of the family, was always tagging along after Alex, calling him 'big bro' this and 'big bro' that. They had been thick as thieves.However, at some point, a thin veil of distance had settled between them, turning their once robust bond of brotherhood into something delicate and strained.Then came Evangeline, whose arrival sent their shaky bond into a tailspin.Out of everyone in the Gordon family, Alex was the one Walter could not stand the most.However, Walter's petty schemes barely registered with Alex, who just gave a half-hearted smirk, a grin th
David took the keychain and offered it up to Walter with all due respect. "You dropped this."Walter only realized what David was handing him when he saw it—a keychain. He took it, turning it over in his hands, feeling its weight. "Thank you. This means a lot to me.""Did... Did Mrs. Gordon give this to you?"David knew better than to dig into his boss's personal life, but he could not help asking, given how much Walter seemed to care about the keychain.To David, it seemed like only Evangeline could make Walter hold something in such high regard.Walter managed a weak smile in response. "I wish it was from her..."If only Evangeline had been the one to save him, then all the troubles he faced would have melted away…He let his voice trail off, making no attempt to hide his feelings."You didn't bring it up, but I almost forgot. When you get back, you'll have more than just your regular duties. You'll need to help me with an investigation..."He was determined to find out the
Guilt washed over David, and his heart throbbed with pain.A thought struck him. Maybe he owed it to himself to try again, to make amends to the woman who had lost hope because of him.Little did David know, his seemingly simple question had set off a tidal wave in Walter's heart.Walter's history with Evangeline was like a jigsaw puzzle with too many pieces missing. It was not as easy as just wanting something anymore.Without Cole, without the kids, Evangeline, who never really liked him, would not even spare him a second glance. It was just like Alex had said.Evangeline had only married him because she thought he was someone else.For whatever reason, Julia, with her web of lies, made him neglect his one true love, Evangeline. He even shamed her when she longed for a child.The mistake was made worse, the guilt heavier. Even if he could not make sense of it, his chances were gone…With that thought, Walter cracked a wry smile. "We're different, and whether it makes sense or
"Is there really no chance for you and Celina to...?" Walter began, his curiosity getting the better of him, but David cut him off."Mr. Walter Gordon, it's time to leave the past behind."With the Southern Crownlands diamond mine case wrapped up, David felt a weight lift off his chest.He could not afford to take a break. The moment he did, Celina's face, filled with disappointment in the blizzard, would haunt him.He had always figured that being a guy, it was normal to miss out on time with Celina because of work commitments. He just had to swallow his pride, talk to her heart-to-heart, and she would get where he was coming from.Thus, when he finally got to see her, he laid his cards on the table, all his sincerity on show.However, things did not pan out the way he had hoped, and it was not just him who paid the price—Evangeline and the Foster family got dragged into a whole heap of trouble.Then, haunted by guilt, Celina's disappointed face haunted his dreams, growing shar
In the past, Julia would not have batted an eye at whatever grand gesture Ethan made for her.However, things had changed. After pouring her heart out for Walter, only to have it wasted, how could she not feel a pang of guilt and a rush of gratitude when Ethan still stood by her side, ready to give his all?Ethan gently stroked her hair, his eyes soft with affection. "Julia, you shouldn't have to worry about this...""But I can't help it!" Julia's voice broke through her restraint, loud and clear. "Why should Walter get away with hurting me, and then turn around and manipulate you?"Ethan's eyes flickered shut for a moment, clearly done with the conversation. "Let's go home."Hand in hand, they made their way onto the plane at Meadowvale's private airstrip. Walter, bound by his deal with Ethan, had no choice but to bid them farewell.He watched the sleek private jet take off, his gaze deep and calculating, a sly smile playing on his lips. That was his first chess move against t
Julia gazed at the man's face, her mind wandering.Was it true? This man, who everyone looked up to, dropped everything—his work, his family duties—to be there, all because he did not want her to be alone?What kind of feeling was that?Whatever it was, just seeing what he had done was enough to stir any girl's heart.Even Julia, who had Walter in her thoughts, could not hide her emotions.Tears filled her eyes, and without a care for the watchful eyes of the bodyguard, she lunged into the man's embrace."Thank you. Thank you for still choosing to love me, Your Highness."She hardly ever used such formal titles for the guy, standing in front of her.Titles like 'duke' or 'viscount' from overseas just were not her thing. She even thought that using them created an invisible gap between people.However, right then, she felt compelled to use his title, as a reminder to herself of just how incredible he was.In Julia's eyes, Ethan Jefferson was infinitely better than Walter—by a
The diamond mines in Southern Crownlands were a gold mine, literally. Any official could name their price and be set for life. There was no way they would turn down a fortune that was practically in their hands.Unless... It was all because of the guy standing in front of Walter.As Walter locked eyes with him, the man casually threw up his hands. "No need to be suspicious. I gave him a ring before I came to see you. For a deal this big, he wouldn't dare call the shots without backup."Walter's stoic expression betrayed none of his thoughts, while the man in front of him seemed like he could not wait a second longer."Do you still have reservations? If you do, why don't you mull it over here while I go see Julia?" The man spoke as he casually opened his arms, allowing Walter's crew to give him a quick pat-down."Don't worry, I'm here to rescue, not to wreak havoc. Why would I bring anything dangerous?"Walter caught his bodyguard's eye with a meaningful glance.Getting the hint,