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
Evangeline said no more, grabbed her bag, and left with a defiant swagger.Walter never saw it coming. Evangeline's abrupt departure left him staring at her retreating figure, his gaze heavy with unspoken thoughts. His brows knitted together, and a tightness in his chest grew until he could not stand it anymore.He irritatedly yanked at his tie and threw it aside with a forceful snap.…Deep into the night, Walter was the last man working. His desk lamp was the lone island of light in an otherwise deserted building.Even Evangeline, with all her reservations about him, could not deny Walter's prowess in business. Clinical and detached he might be, but his work was flawless, his talent exceptional. It was his vision and drive that had built Strata King Group from the ground up, steering it to prosper under his watchful eye."Still burning the midnight oil, Mr. Walter Gordon?" Evangeline's voice broke the silence as she stepped in, slipping off her coat.The coat revealed a form-f
Evangeline's hand deftly found its way into his pants. "You know, I've practiced unbuckling your belt alone at home more times than I can count over the past three years."Walter was a bundle of nerves, his body reacting with a mix of tenderness and tension, the air charged with an unspoken promise.Before Evangeline could protest, Walter's lips claimed hers in a kiss that set their hearts racing.Lost in the moment, his tongue explored the sweetness of her mouth, their breaths quickening in unison.Her touch was so enthralling that it left him aching all over.Caught in the haze of desire, Walter's inner voice screamed that he was done holding back. He yearned to unravel her, to meld her into his very being.Just then, Evangeline's other hand snapped a photo with her phone. The flash yanked Walter back to reality."What are you doing?" he rasped, his voice rough with longing. "You planning to keep that as a keepsake?"With a mighty shove, Evangeline pushed him away, her previo
Evangeline's eyebrow arched, her focus unbroken.She opened the door and left without hesitation.Walter stood alone, a towering figure, as menacing as a demon risen from the depths.His thoughts were swirling, haunted by her declaration that she would find another man and have kids, but that he would never father these children.His brows knotted in anguish. He let out a bitter, mocking laugh.Face set hard, he fought the rage boiling in his veins and strode into the bathroom.On the way, he dialed his assistant Oscar. "Lock down the lobby, Julia is not to set foot in here."Walter was right on the money; Julia had been a ticking time bomb since getting Evangeline's text. She made a beeline for the Strata King Group tower, only to be stopped abruptly by the security detail.Her calls to Walter hit a dead end, and Evangeline had blacklisted her.Fury consumed her, her eyes blazing with volcanic hate.She lost it, screaming at the top of her lungs, "Evangeline's up there with