Evangeline and her colleague Hank were not exactly cozy with each other, so Caden figured that his best bud Walter was Evangeline's only real option.Caden's perfect plan was about to crumble, which was too bad."This dare... sure is spicy," Evangeline remarked coolly, almost as if she were merely commenting on the weather.As everyone watched with bated breath, her gaze glided over the crowd and settled on Hank. Her eyes made her choice clear without a word.Caden was stunned. Had he just helped his rival?On the other hand, Felicia could not contain her glee.She did not care who Evangeline picked, just as long as it was not Walter. She was thrilled!Always one for drama, Felicia clapped and eagerly asked, "A French kiss, is it? So, who's the lucky guy, Ms. Evangeline?"Hank, ever the gentleman, opened his arms in a welcoming gesture."If you're game, I'm ready."He gazed at Evangeline, his deep blue eyes brimming with emotion. Their locked gazes in the midst of the crowd w
"Evangeline, can you not make a scene, please?"Evangeline was not playing around, however. She meant business this time.She had always known about Hank's crush on her. She just never reciprocated because Walter was the only one in her heart. Since she and Walter were on the brink of divorce, it was time to cut the cord for good.Taking advantage of this dare, kissing Hank was her bold declaration to Walter that she was done with him for good.Hank's years of silent devotion had not gone unnoticed by her, moreover. If she could, she would be ready to open up to him.Even though Walter was not there to see it, with everyone watching, it would have the same effect.Evangeline was sure of it: By sunrise, the whole of Avalon City would be buzzing about her steamy kiss with Hank. Once that happened, there would be no turning back for her and Walter…Lost in thought, she locked eyes with Hank. The excitement in his gaze was unmistakable. Why did she feel this twinge of guilt staring
Evangeline and Hank froze.A glimmer of hope sparked in Caden's dull eyes.The crowd had scrambled to find the source of the mood-killing noise.Hank scowled as he fished out the offending phone from his pocket.His eyes had shown a tinge of regret, and the urge to keep going with Evangeline had disappeared as soon as he saw who was calling.With Evangeline looking on, worried, Hank had taken the call. The more the person on the other end had talked, the tighter Hank's frown had become.Hank ended the call, and Evangeline noticed a sheen of sweat on his brow—a rare sight. He was always so cool and collected, like a prince out of a storybook."What's up?" she asked, her voice laced with concern."Just a little hiccup at the company," he replied, trying to sound nonchalant, but Evangeline could hear the edge of worry in his voice.The company had to be Foster Group, which Hank had recently taken charge of. Suddenly, Evangeline was not in the mood for games. She took hold of Hank
Evangeline halted, a storm brewing in her mind. She stood frozen in place.Walter caught the change in her stance and strode over, his grip firm as he yanked her into the car without a word.The ride was eerily quiet.Inside, Evangeline's anger simmered, ready to boil over.Walter was seething too, unable to stomach the thought of Evangeline wanting to kiss another man right in front of him. He gave her the silent treatment.They arrived at Crystal Waters House.Walter did not bother with manners, practically dragging Evangeline from the car and into the house.The door slammed shut behind them, and Walter's voice cut through the silence, sharp as a knife. "Evangeline, I can't stand that Hank guy. I'm warning you—stay away from him!"He had disliked Hank from the moment he heard they were childhood friends. After seeing Evangeline choose Hank's kiss over his own, Walter wanted nothing more than to make that thorn in his side vanish.Evangeline, shrouded in darkness, just laugh
Evangeline's suspicions were well-founded.The Fosters would not sabotage their own empire, and in Avalon City, the only one with the means and the boredom to pull off such a stunt was Walter.She had expected him to at least play dumb. Clearly, she had played down how low he could stoop."What if it was me?""What if it was you?" Evangeline's anger surged, finding a perfect target as she confronted him head-on. "Tell, me Mr. Walter Gordon. Since when is toying with the company a laughing matter?"Gordon Group was Trey's pride and joy. Walter, as his grandson, should have known better than to mess with it."Really? You're one to talk! Making a spectacle by almost kissing Hank in front of everyone… Weren't you the one treating our company like it was some kind of joke? All I did was pull a little stunt to clean up our act," Walter shot back, standing his ground."Should I just sit back and watch you trash the good names of Gordon Group and Foster Group? Do nothing?" Walter's word
Evangeline had seen this coming, and Wade's confirmation did not raise an eyebrow."Let him know he can head home for some rest once he's up. He's had a rough night and deserves a break."Hank had only just started working with her, and she felt a twinge of guilt for roping him into her problems so quickly. She owed him an apology, sure, but she would find the right moment—something laid-back and fitting.Just then, the receptionist dashed up the stairs, breathless, "Ms. Evangeline, your parents are downstairs asking for you."Evangeline was taken aback. No one else but Andrew and Lydia would dare claim to be her parents. She had them under surveillance since their last fiery argument, and somehow, they had given her watchers the slip.Perfect timing, she thought. She had been meaning to confront them anyway.What Evangeline had not anticipated was the chaos her parents were causing at the front desk. Andrew plopped down on the reception couch, legs crossed arrogantly, barking or
Evangeline racked her brain, but never in a million years did she see this coming—Andrew demanding someone from her."Alright, then!"Lydia shot up, her presence fierce, as she grilled Evangeline, "You've squirreled away our darling daughter, and now you have the nerve to ask me for her? You've been under my nose all these years, and boy oh boy, you've really shown your true colors. Who would've guessed?"Evangeline, you're quite the actress. It's a real shame you're not making a splash in Hollywood!"Andrew was right there, tossing in his own jabs and jeers. "Seriously, I never imagined my own kid could change like this. I can't even guess what kind of spell the Foster family has cast on her!"But none of that matters to us now. You've written us off as your folks, but Julia's a different story. We're counting on her to care for us when we're old and gray. What'll we do if we can't find her?"Andrew got more worked up, even letting a few tears fall right in front of Evangeline.
With the dismissal as easy as flicking a switch, Evangeline's patience had run dry, no longer willing to waste another second on the two standing before her."You!" Lydia, her face flushed with fury and her neck bulging, pointed a trembling finger but could not find the words.Evangeline, facing them, pointed too, but with a twist—she held up three fingers, a silent but clear message."Three seconds. That's all you get before I call security to boot you out of here!"Andrew caught the no-nonsense look in Evangeline's eyes and realized she was not playing around.Then, his eyes welled up."Evie, after all this time apart, is this how you treat your old man?" His voice cracked, dripping with a mix of sorrow and self-pity.Evangeline was baffled.What was this old guy trying to pull with this sudden drama?She stayed silent, just watching Andrew's show unfold.Tears were already streaming down his face as he spoke, "I get it, you've been mad at me for years for not sticking arou