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
Just then, Walter's phone rang. It was his assistant, Oscar. "Mr. Walter Gordon.""What is it? Did she change her mind?""No. Mrs. Walter Gordon hasn't caved in, nor has she called begging you, but someone else has stepped in."…At the police station, in the holding cell.Ruby was not satisfied with just slapping Evangeline's face red. She was gearing up to kick her with her high heels when suddenly, she was sent flying several meters by a powerful kick from behind.The door flew open with a loud bang as a squad of imposing men in black suits and sunglasses stormed in from the shadowy hallway.Their intimidating presence silenced the room."Ms. Evangeline."It was Wade Davis, Evangeline's lifelong personal bodyguard, the one Evangeline had been waiting for.Evangeline was escorted to the break room, where many from the police force came to offer their apologies, including Ruby's uncle.Meanwhile, Ruby, clueless about the turn of events, stood in their way, clutching her wai
Ruby tried to spit out curses, but Evangeline's bodyguard was quick to silence her."Think this is the end?" said Evangeline. "The real show's just starting!"She rose to her feet and walked away with a commanding stride. Before she left, however, she turned to her bodyguards. "Make sure she's well taken care of!""Absolutely, Ms. Evangeline."Ruby, mouth sealed, was on the verge of a breakdown.'How dare you seek help, Evangeline! Who gave you the guts? Mr. Walter Gordon will never let this slide!' screamed Ruby internally.…After leaving the station, Evangeline was whisked away to the hospital for some minor bandaging. In the past, even a tiny scrape would have sent her into a dramatic frenzy at the hospital.For the past three years, the Foster family's elite bodyguard team had been on call but never needed. However, the moment they returned to duty, they found Evangeline suffering such indignities.Wade was livid. He could not just stand by and do nothing.The Fosters we
Evangeline never imagined Walter would show up at the hospital in the dead of night and act like a madman. Had Julia left him wanting?The memory of the night's betrayal with Julia pierced her heart with an invisible needle, each thought of a suffocating sting.Evangeline bit Walter's shoulder, her bite a desperate act of defiance.Walter gasped, the sharp pain a testament to her surprising strength. He had not even gotten over the kick she had delivered to his leg last time, and she bit him."Do you enjoy biting people?" Walter grunted, wincing.Evangeline felt a twinge of satisfaction seeing his usually stoic face twist in pain. "Put me down now, or I'll call the guards!"Walter's striking features were inches away as he firmly grasped her chin. "You've got two choices: One, I put you down and we show your grandpa your disheveled state. Two, keep quiet and come back with me."The mention of her grandpa silenced Evangeline's struggle. Walter had found her Achilles' heel. She di
Celina noticed that Evangeline was about to leave and asked with concern,"Are you going out, miss?"Evangeline nodded while picking up her bag, not understanding why Celina's brows were furrowed.Before she could ask, Celina continued, "The Gordon family is in turmoil recently, and with your relationship with Walter… it might be best if you don't go out and attract attention."Evangeline could easily understand the meaning behind Celina's words. The Gordon family was in a crisis, and she had poured more fuel on the fire at a critical moment, practically throwing herself into the whirlpool of public opinion. If she went out, it was highly likely that paparazzi and reporters would follow her, and the consequences could be unimaginable."I'm sorry, but I still need to go."Evangeline's worry for Trey had reached its peak. Facing Celina's concerned expression, she reassured her, "Don't worry, I'll be careful. If necessary, I'll bring a few more bodyguards."Celina knew she could not
Some people also said that Walter had pushed out Alex. Gordon Group was going through a period of turmoil, suffering from investment failures, compounded by The Bennex Corporation's reckless and aggressive maneuvers, which were essentially pushing the company to the brink of collapse.The only way for Walter to temporarily calm the storm and give the company a chance to regroup was to push Alex out and take the blame for everything.As the news spread, its impact grew larger, and some even dared to publicly tag Gordon Group's official social media account. It was expected that Gordon Group would follow their usual approach of not responding and turning a blind eye.To everyone's surprise, the company issued an official statement within 10 minutes.The news that Mr. Alex Gordon had been incarcerated was true, but the specific reasons would need to wait for the police's verdict.This brief announcement confirmed the speculations of social media users.However, Gordon Group was not
Evangeline listened to Thomas's lament and felt a wave of sadness in her heart.However, there were too many such people and stories in Avalon City, and she could not sympathize with all of them.Besides, Carl had done many bad things while working for Alex. How could she pity him?"Is there nothing else? No more information? Those who are pitiful must have their faults."Evangeline was not someone whose sympathy overflowed, nor did she want to connect with this situation."My men discovered that Carl has been wandering around Avalon City recently. His whereabouts are completely uncertain, and we've been unable to track him down or know where to start looking."Thomas fell silent for a moment, and Evangeline could only hear the sound of a mouse clicking.After some time, he added warily, "Carl is probably looking for his family."Before Alex was arrested, Carl secretly returned home one night. What exactly happened is unclear, but the next day, his family was taken away. And the
Perhaps going out for a walk with Celina to clear her mind would help her regain her composure.To her surprise, Celina declined Evangeline's suggestion and said, "No, I want to go on a stroll alone.Seeing the sadness in Celina's eyes, Evangeline did not know what to say."Ms. Evangeline, I'm just feeling down for no reason. You don't need to worry about me. Maybe it's because… I've been too idle."In the past, Celina always had various tasks, but after returning to the Foster family, there were no more tasks, no work, and her sole focus was on David.All of a sudden, Zhang Tao recovered and no longer needed her.She needed some quiet time to rediscover her own value. Otherwise, she would only live in confusion and self-doubt.Evangeline did not insist. Adults need time for themselves, after all. She could not take away the time for solitude that Celina needed just because they had a good relationship."Then… be careful."Evangeline patted Celina's shoulder and watched her le
Evangeline's brow furrowed. This situation was indeed tricky."Why is Carl Fowler still running around outside on his own when his boss has been exposed? If I were him, with Alex arrested, I'd rush back to Southern Crownlands immediately. Even if I couldn't return here, I'd send the message to the Bennison family as quickly as possible."Instead, he's been wandering around Avalon City!"Evangeline's speculation was not without merit. After all, if Carl had sent news of Alex's arrest back to Southern Crownlands, the Bennison family would have taken action. They would not be unaware, like they were at this moment where they've fallen for Walter's smokescreen and did not even realize it.David stroked his chin thoughtfully. "There's definitely something else going on here, and we just haven't figured it out yet. Is Carl wandering around because he's looking for something—or someone?"Having been by Alex's side, he naturally understood the dangers around him.Avalon City was especiall
"Insufficient evidence!"Evangeline and David seemed to be perfectly in sync. David looked at Evangeline with admiration."You truly are incredible, ma'am. Your analytical skills are simply amazing!""You don't need to flatter me. Since you led me to this conclusion, you must have a solution, right?"Gordon Group never kept idle people, and Walter was a perfectionist when it came to hiring. Therefore, the fact that David had worked under Walter for so many years was enough to prove his capabilities.Realizing he had been seen through, David awkwardly scratched his head. "I do have a plan, but it's still a bit underdeveloped, and I don't know if it will help Mr. Gordon."Since he was not sure, he did not dare to bring it up to Walter, only discussing it behind his back with Evangeline."Come on, tell me. Maybe it'll help."If the evidence Walter had was not enough, Gordon Group would remain in turmoil. Trey Gordon was still in the hospital recovering, and the situation at Gordon
David and Celina had lived in Southern Crownlands for a while, so they knew where the Bennison family's base was located. What Evangeline was concerned about, however, was the enormous amount of information carried by this statement."Do you know where Walter got this phone number from?"Whoever used this number would prove to be connected to the Bennison family.If the key person behind the scandal involving Gordon Group could be traced, the company's troubles would be resolved in an instant.David shook his head. "Mr. Gordon only instructed me to investigate this phone number. He didn't say where it came from."Ma'am, the president is holding up Gordon Group on his own. Don't you think we can do something too? Like, helping him catch the key person?"David's tone was uncertain, but his eyes flashed with a sly glint.Evangeline knew he had already devised an idea before speaking to her. She leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, and glanced at him sideways. "Speak up, what's yo
"But you know David didn't do anything wrong, right?"If he had, then Celina would not have said she was waiting for him to finish his task. Instead, she would have barged into the study and confronted him immediately.Celina lowered her gaze. "Yes, I know."Both of them were workaholics, and once there was work to be done, they would not care about anything else. So, Celina understood David's feelings very well. That being said, she did not want him to neglect her."I just hate his boss. If it weren't for him giving David some task, he wouldn't be like this."Walter is such a heartless boss. My David is still seriously injured, yet he gave him such an important task. It's practically exploitation!"Just when David could barely move around again, he started working like a dog for Walter!Evangeline did not care about any of the exploitation talk. Her attention was solely on one thing, and that was…"What task did Walter assign to David?"Evangeline's intuition told her that th
After all, if The Bennex Corporation knew about it, it would mean there was an insider in Gordon Group who was working for the Bennison family. At that point, it would trigger another internal purge.Walter finally regained his focus, and the entire Gordon Group was filled with a sense of harmony and renewed vigor. Even the department head of the Operations Department, who had been tortured by stress for days, looked relieved. He knew that the time for their president to strike back had finally arrived!The intense applause from the employees expressed their excitement.Walter felt unexpectedly touched. After all, if the employees did not have any sense of belonging to Gordon Group, they would not have been moved by his sudden actions.Some even shed tears.Evangeline also had not expected that the moment of action would come so soon. She really had waited for Walter to strike back.Apart from this, what surprised her was that David had mysteriously gotten busy. Even Celina, who