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
Walter stood by the bed. His lips were pressed into a thin line as he yanked at his tie in frustration, then glanced at his watch."You think you don't need me? Don't even care about your grandfather?""What are you getting at?" Evangeline snapped back, still seething."Your grandfather is sick, in Avalon City. He's called me several times today. I told him we'd be there by eight tomorrow morning," said Walter, his presence aloof and intimidating."I don't need your help! I'll see my grandpa on my own!" With those words, she pushed through the pain, got up, and left the bed behind.That bedroom, her gilded prison, was nothing but a badge of disgrace.How utterly ridiculous. Walter had never once visited that place during their three-year marriage. Then, as divorce loomed, he was desperate to hold onto her.She, on the other hand, could not bear another minute there. The thought of him rescuing the Garside family for Julia's sake had killed her love for him stone dead. He had a k
"Hardly, Grandpa. You're tough as nails—a little sickness like this can't knock you down. Give it a month tops, and you'll be back on your feet. And when you are, I've got to get some painting and drawing tips from you."Your sketching skills I saw on video were killer. It's a rare find to see such talent these days." Walter knew exactly how to butter someone up, especially the older folks.Cole had taken up sketching as his golden years' hobby.Walter's compliments had Cole grinning widely, noticeably lifting his spirits. He had been worried about Evangeline being underappreciated in the Gordon family, but it looked like her husband, despite his silver-spoon upbringing, was attentive after all.Evangeline rolled her eyes at Walter. Since when did he become an art connoisseur? With his knack for sweet talk, he might as well have been a clown."You've got a silver tongue, young man, but let's see some action," said Cole. "I'm getting on in years. Evie's mother left us too soon, and
With Evangeline's back pressed against the wall, she tilted her head to meet Walter's eyes. The small space amplified his masculine scent, and she held her breath, her hands balled into fists.Her face was a mask of cool professionalism, her long lashes casting shadows over her cheeks. "Just name your price."Walter almost laughed. The warmth that had been building around him vanished in an instant. He scoffed, the muscles in his jaw working. "That's hardly how you ask for a favor, and money is the last thing I need.""Alright, then! Forget what I asked." Evangeline was done bowing to him.She bit her lip and tried to push him away, but Walter pushed her back against the wall. His hand gripped her waist, holding her in a charged standstill. "Believe it or not, I could say one word and George would never lift a finger to help you, no matter what you do.""Walter! You're shameless!"Evangeline tried to kick him, but he caught her leg and wrapped it around his waist. "If you don't w
To Evangeline's surprise, the receptionists barely acknowledged her. Their eyes flicked up before returning to their tasks as if she were invisible.One of them sneered, "Looks like we've got all kinds in this big forest. Thinking your money can buy Mr. Walter Gordon's attention? He's not just anyone's for the taking.""I'm Walter's wife. Where is he?" Evangeline shot back, not in the mood for their games.They laughed. "Miss, you look like you're somebody, so why the sudden delusion? The president's wife just delivered his breakfast.""Mrs. Walter Gordon? Breakfast?" Evangeline could not help but laugh at the ridiculous claim. She was eager to see what kind of show Walter had going on during his 'trouble-free' days at the office.She breezed past the security checkpoint and into the building.The receptionists scrambled to call security, but Walter's assistant intervened, chiding them, "That woman is our president's wife."The receptionists at the front desk were visibly shaken
Julia was a whirlwind of humiliation and fury, her eyes bloodshot. She was the beloved Rearden heiress, the entertainment world's violin prodigy, and Walter's untouchable angel.She could not possibly degrade herself by engaging with such a coarse woman from the sticks.She must not lose her composure in front of Walter.With a pitiful gaze, she turned to him, "I'm so sorry, Walt. I shouldn't have come today."At least she knew Walter was on her side. She would let Evangeline carry on with her vulgarity. After all, Walter despised that sort of woman above all else.With that thought, she let go of any pettiness toward Evangeline and grabbed her own 30000-dollar sparkly designer bag. She could not help but sneak a peek at Evangeline's purse.Evangeline's accessory was supposedly a 75000-dollar exclusive, a one-of-a-kind in all of Avalon City, rumored to be snapped up by some secret high-roller family.However, Evangeline's was obviously a knockoff. Pure vanity and tastelessness i