"And what of it? Walter, don't you realize that dodging today just means facing everything tomorrow? They might buy the songwriting excuse for now, but I'll bet you, in half an hour, even if Uncle Yale doesn't come up, Roslyn will. What then?"What will you do when you can't hide anymore?"Evangeline was trying to goad Walter into releasing her, but she ended up giving him a reminder instead.Walter had no desire to bump into Yale, so staying here was out of the question."No more hiding. Let's get out of here," he decided impulsively.Evangeline scoffed. "What, are you blind?"She gestured toward the stairs. "My Uncle Yale and Roslyn are in the living room. So, where to?"If she wanted to slip away unnoticed, there was a back door to the villa. That being said, why on earth should she help Walter make a getaway?Out of nowhere, Walter flashed a chillingly white grin, his smile dripping with malice. "Come on, I know about the back door, don't play dumb!"He reached out to Evan
Evangeline had been in Avalon City for a good while, but she had never stepped foot in Secret Recipe Kitchen until this day. She figured it was because she was always busy, never having a moment to drop by this cozy little eatery.Walter, however, was on a first-name basis with the staff, a clear sign he was a regular.Evangeline and Walter were ushered by the server into a cozy private room. It was not until she settled into her chair that she had the chance to take in her surroundings.Secret Recipe Kitchen boasted a decor that was both elegant and simple. Everyday items were transformed by the designer's touch into something that caught the eye and demanded admiration for the owner's impeccable taste.It made sense to her why the illustrious Walter of the Gordon family would choose this place.The server handed Evangeline the menu, and Walter was all easygoing."Pick whatever you like," he said.Walter's heart twisted a bit when he caught sight of Evangeline's pale, delicate
Walter tried to sort out his messy feelings, thinking he was being sincere with his apology.It was a shame, really. Walter was earnest, but his words danced around the fact that he should be saying sorry.Evangeline could not catch a whiff of realness in his so-called sincerity. It felt more like he was just going through the motions."No big deal. I've been over it for ages." Evangeline tossed the words out without a second thought, her eyes drifting to the horizon, all cool and confident.Walter was not the one who had been put through the wringer. He was not the one who had been treated like dirt. How could he, the guy who started the whole mess, ever get what she went through?Evangeline's chill vibe was all because she had seen the real Walter and decided he was not worth the drama. Why bother caring about a guy she did not even want anymore?Walter was not clueless, though. If Evangeline was bringing this up, she was obviously still hung up on it.Even so, she had wrapped
"Stop it!" Walter's hand came down hard on the table.Evangeline was spouting words about splitting up, and it was like a punch to Walter's gut, especially when she coldly brought up Minnie."Evangeline, if you don't care about our marriage anyway, why are you so set on getting a divorce certificate? If you outlive me, you could still inherit a chunk of the Gordon fortune with that piece of paper. Why pass that up?"He tried to reason with her like a businessman, thinking it might change her mind.Evangeline just laughed. It was a laugh so sharp that it cut through the air."What's so funny?" Walter demanded.Evangeline dabbed at the tears that had spilled from laughing too hard. "It's you I'm laughing at, Walter. You think that talking about money will make me want to stay married to you."Oh, Walter, you're something else! How much money do the Gordons even have? What fraction of it would I get after you're gone? And even if you left me every last dime, what's that worth compa
Evangeline could not pinpoint when it started, but her interactions with Walter had grown increasingly bizarre, so much so that she felt better off far away from him.She had no desire to exchange words with him."Let's just eat, okay?" Evangeline made a show of eagerly reaching for her fork, not bothering to wait for Walter's cue, and helped herself to a dish.Walter felt a sting at being cut off, but seeing Evangeline, who had just been claiming she was not hungry, diving into her meal, he did not want to spoil her newfound appetite. With that, he too started eating.The tuna steak was the Secret Recipe Kitchen's claim to fame, and Walter's go-to dish every time he visited.Evangeline was only trying to dodge a conversation with Walter, so she grabbed a fork and poked at the restaurant's famous dish without thinking. As she brought a piece of fish to her lips, a pungent fishy scent hit her nose. A wave of nausea threatened to overwhelm her, but she fought it back with effort.S
Minnie did not even wait for an answer before she lost her patience."You must be the new kid, huh? I won't hold it against you if you're inexperienced. Just go get your manager, now!"The waitress blushed with embarrassment, but she did not back down. Working at a place this fancy meant she was no pushover."I'm sorry, miss. I am indeed new and still learning. If this was about anything else, I'd say you're right—it's on me. But when it comes to our guests' privacy, not even the manager can bend the rules."Her attempt to calm things down only made Minnie more furious."Even if it doesn't make a difference, I demand to speak with your manager! What's a waitress like you doing, trying to boss me around? You don't even know your place! This is your last chance. Are you calling your manager or not?"The waitress had never seen a customer like this since she had started working.Minnie's voice was so loud that the lobby manager caught wind of the fuss and came over. She bowed to Mi
No wonder Evangeline was so pleased. Alex had shown up."Should we invite them in?" Walter asked Evangeline, trying to sound generous, but inside, a storm of jealousy was brewing.All he had wanted was a quiet dinner with Evangeline, but Alex, like a shadow, was always there, trailing them wherever they went! Was he that desperate? Did he not care about what he and Evangeline had anymore?Evangeline saw things in a totally different light than everyone else. While Walter was practically talking to himself, obviously itching to see Minnie, Evangeline had moved on. To her, Minnie was just another face in the crowd, not worth a second thought."Sure, a dinner for four could be fun," said Evangeline with a shrug, pretending not to care.She had not hung out with Alex in ages, and while she was playing matchmaker for Walter and Minnie, she could also spend some time with an old friend.Walter bolted out the door so fast he did not even remember to shut it behind him. Evangeline watche
Minnie grabbed her fork and knife, gingerly picking up the vegetables Walter had dished out for her. She then ate it, making a big show of tasting them, when her eyes suddenly sparkled with delight."Walter, this is amazing! I've never had anything so yummy in my life!"Across the table, Evangeline's gaze was fixed on Minnie's twinkling eyes. Her emotions were a tangled mess that words could not quite capture.Had she not overheard Minnie's chat with the lobby manager, Evangeline might have fallen for the whole 'innocent young girl' act. However, seeing Minnie flip her script so fast, it just looked very fake. That sugary-sweet way she said Walter's name was enough to make Evangeline's calmed stomach do somersaults.There was Minnie, still playing her part, batting her eyelashes at Walter.Walter's gaze was a deep well of nothingness, impossible to read.Evangeline silently vowed to catch Walter's reaction, but her stomach had other plans."Ugh..."She had not eaten much, so th
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