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
Andrew's words were dripping with earnestness as he stared into Evangeline's eyes with honesty.He did not even wait for her to say a word before he brought up his hand and made a solemn vow, "I swear, I'm done with that thankless Julia. Let her fend for herself out there!"Evangeline just watched him calmly, trying to decode his game plan.Lydia, on the other hand, was not about to let this slide.She and Andrew used to be in the same boat, but all of a sudden, Andrew was bending over backward to prove his loyalty to Evangeline, as if he had tossed his own interests aside!"Andrew, what are you talking about? If Evangeline shares your blood, isn't Julia just as much your daughter?"Suddenly, something clicked in her mind, and she let out a scornful laugh. "Oh, I see what this is about. You're just trying to cozy up to Evangeline now that she's the big boss of Foster Group, huh? Since Julia's still missing and can't bring in the dough as your cash cow, she can't hold a candle to
"Evangeline, can't you just let it go? You've wrecked your sister's chance at happiness. Are you really going to keep up this charade?"Lydia's accusations hit Evangeline like a wave of confusion.What charade had she been keeping up? The truth was that she was dead set on a divorce, and Walter was the one who would not let go!He even had the nerve to drag her grandfather, Cole, into this, pressuring her to start a family with him. It was downright vile!However, Andrew did not even give Evangeline the chance to get a word in.He grabbed Lydia's hand, his voice filled with anguish, "You knew all along that Julia was taken by Walter?"Why didn't you tell me sooner?! You have no idea how worried I've been about Julia's situation..."Lydia had seen right through Andrew's act a long time ago. She yanked her hand away. "Worried, my foot! You just see Walter doting on Julia and think she'll land you a rich son-in-law! I can't stand another day of this!"Andrew, I'm done with you. I
Andrew was ghostly pale.The room turned super awkward in an instant, but Evangeline seemed to be the only one keeping it together.She knew all too well how much Julia meant to Walter, so she would not be shocked by anything he did for Julia.Even so, why did her heart still ache like this?In front of Andrew and Lydia, she fought hard to keep her hands from clutching at her chest.'How can you still not get it, Evangeline? Walter is all about Julia. You've got to let him go!' she chided herself.Walter made it to the Foster Group building in under 10 minutes.Stepping into the reception room, his towering figure instantly made it feel cramped.Lydia latched onto Walter's arm like he was her lifeline. "Walter, that vixen Evangeline claimed Julia was with you! Is that for real?"You've been guarding Julia like she's some state secret. Why didn't you clue me in sooner? We, the old folks, need a little peace of mind, you know!"But you know, Julia's had it rough from the start
Evangeline watched the drama unfold with a serene expression. She could not believe the words coming out of Walter's mouth, but she stayed cool and collected, curious to see how he would wiggle his way out of Lydia's wild accusations.Walter just put a finger to his lips and shushed her—as if that would make everything alright.Lydia's voice dropped to a whisper as she locked eyes with Walter, her gaze wide with fear. "What are you planning? You're not thinking of shipping me off to Northern Montavia too, are you?"Walter let out a scoff, his words dripping with scorn. "As if! You're way past your prime, and your organs are hardly worth anything. They'd probably complain about having to feed you for nothing if we sent you to Northern Montavia!"His sneer was like a knife, cutting deeper into Lydia's hopelessness. "I just wanted to give you a little heads-up," he said coolly. "The cops... They're here already."He had dialed 911 the moment he arrived with that incriminating photo.
Everything happened in a blur, so fast that Evangeline could not wrap her head around it. When she snapped back to reality, she saw Walter staggering in front of her, his body about to collapse. The bodyguards were quick to catch him.Evangeline moved to face him, about to ask if he was okay, when she noticed the sharp knife from Lydia's hand buried in Walter's stomach, blood pouring out like a crimson fountain.Chaos erupted around them. Walter, hurt and unable to think straight, acted on pure instinct. He ripped the knife out and lunged at the person who had caused all this mess.The cops were just as shocked, rushing in and yelling, "Mr. Walter Gordon, please calm down!" In the nick of time, they pulled Lydia back, and the knife meant for her heart only slashed her arm.Lydia was spared, but Walter, drained from the effort, collapsed. The cops could not waste another second. They whisked Lydia and Andrew off to the squad car.Walter's assistant David and the paramedics showed u