Eventually, Cole left his gambling life behind and, with his friends, founded Foster Group. The company expanded rapidly, dominating the north and starting to clean up its act.The Foster family became untouchable, a name that commanded respect and fear alike.The old-timers at the company were Cole's original crew, the brothers-in-arms who had been through thick and thin with him.Back in their younger days, they thrived on freedom and carried that same laid-back attitude into their work, creating a company culture that broke the mold of traditional business.That meant things got done fast, but it was not without its share of dark corners.…Evangeline was practically invisible to them in the conference room.A privileged princess, they had thought. Was she really up to the task of steering the Foster Group's stormy ship?Amid the murmurs, a sudden thud echoed through the room.The middle-aged man who had been blabbing that Evangeline was Cole's goddaughter was kicked far aw
Evangeline's gaze swept across the room as she spoke, sharp enough to keep everyone from looking her in the eye.Gone was the gentle composure she showed with the Gordon family, replaced by the ironclad authority of a woman in charge."Any objections? Now's the time to speak up," Evangeline stated calmly.With Cole's right-hand man, Asher, standing behind her, his respect bordering on reverence, it was as though Cole himself had entered the room. Who would dare step out of line?After all, Cole, the notorious gambling tycoon, was a name that sent shivers down their spines. Cole might be bedridden, doting on Evangeline with every fiber of his being, but his reputation in the business and underground worlds was still formidable.Everyone was convinced that she was Cole's granddaughter, and her eyes—calm yet piercing—were a mirror image of Cole's own.David, who had just been ousted, served as her first lesson to the company. She did not even spare the old-timers' pride.Who would
"Let Strata King Group have their moment with that tempting opportunity. Once we've got our stock prices back on track, we'll be back in the game stronger than ever," Evangeline mused, her fingers gently tracing the contours of the ring her grandfather had cherished for so many years."However, you know the saying that goes, 'Gordon rules the north, Foster owns the south.' Strata King may be the brainchild of Walter Gordon, but it's the Gordon family that's pulling the strings. They've outpaced the original Gordon Group and now sit at the top of Halcyonia's corporate ladder."If we challenge Strata King, we're challenging the Gordons head-on. And despite the old bonds between our families, in business, there's no room for stepping aside. If we abandon the northern markets for charity work in the northwest, what will that say about the Foster name?" someone said."Who's saying I'm ducking Strata King Group? That's the biggest laugh I've had all day!" In that instant, Evangeline's dor
Julia paced the floor of her suburban villa outside Capital City, her eyes burning with fury as she stared at the letter from Foster Group. In a fit of rage, she hurled a vase against the wall, shattering it into a thousand pieces.Her mood had been in the pits. She had returned to the country, fully expecting to kick Evangeline out of the Gordon family and banish her back to the sticks. To her shock, Evangeline had managed to charm Walter into her bed.The image of their heated kiss haunted Julia, igniting a desire to rip Evangeline apart.She was desperate to confront Walter, but he had been dodging her for days. She tried to reach out to Evangeline, to give her a piece of her mind, but realized she had been blocked.The sting of rejection was more than she could bear.She refused to believe Walter did not care about her. After all, had he not gone out of his way to save the Garside family for her sake? All that, and just last night, she had heard they had disappeared from Avalo
"Let her," Walter snapped, his face set in a hard line as he shot Oscar a withering look.Oscar bit back any further objections, getting the message loud and clear. "Alright, alright. I'll make sure the missus hears about tonight."Walter was at it again, trying to rile up Evangeline with Julia's presence. Could that really work? Somehow, he doubted it.…The clock struck seven-thirty, and the Foster family's charity auction kicked off right on schedule in Capital City. The venue was the famed Victoria Garden House, a place that once echoed with the laughter of the elite as they enjoyed their music and theater. Then, it was Avalon City's most opulent playground for the rich and famous.The gala was already buzzing with the elegance of classical performances, the air filled with the harmonious melodies of flutes and zithers. The crowd was a parade of the elite, each person a vision of beauty and stature, adhering to a strict height requirement. Clad in traditional gray-blue garb, t
The evening's esteemed hosts, the Fosters, had made their entrance.Evangeline, stunning in a black gown that made her porcelain skin glow, walked hand-in-hand with James. She was a vision, her figure and poise conjuring images of an enchantress from a fairy tale. The necklace she wore, with its massive blue gemstone flanked by diamonds, was a showstopper, leaving women in awe.James, her companion, was the epitome of sophistication in his wine-red designer suit and gold-rimmed glasses, his handsome features rivaling the heartthrobs of Hollywood.Together, they were a breathtaking pair, stealing the show effortlessly.Julia's aura paled in comparison, and her envy boiled over. Why did Evangeline always have to outshine her?"Walt, look, isn't that Evangeline? What's she doing with the Fosters?" taunted Julia, noticing Walter's displeasure.A chilling dread settled over Walter.So James was a Foster after all. That explained his confidence and audacity to challenge Walter head-on
"Sixty million dollars."The room hushed in an instant. Walter was the one who bid, casting a challenging look at James and Evangeline, a smirk playing on his lips, his eyes set on the Foster Group's treasured heirloom.James caught Walter's challenging gaze, as sharp as a thorn, and then shared a knowing look with Evangeline. With her silent nod, he countered, "Sixty-seven million five hundred thousand dollars.""Seventy-five million dollars," Walter shot back, lifting his paddle once more.The auction had turned into a private war between the Gordon family and Foster Group. The rest of the crowd, recognizing the futility of competing, bowed out gracefully.The sapphire necklace, rare as it was, should not fetch more than 30 million at its peak. The current bid was astronomical, way beyond the necklace's worth. No one else was willing to play the fool and foot that bill.Encouraged by a subtle cue from Evangeline, the two headstrong men kept upping the ante until the price hit a
"Oh, Mr. Walter Gordon, do you have some secrets that can't stand the light of day?" Evangeline's voice dripped with scorn.Walter's expression turned stormy, a dark cloud over his features.Before the stunned crowd, he pulled Evangeline away without so much as a second thought, leaving a ripple of shock in their wake.Their marriage was a well-kept secret, known only to a select few. Walter whisking her away like that had set tongues wagging.It was not until they reached the seclusion of the stairwell that Evangeline wrenched herself free, inwardly cursing him as a 'damn guy', Her wrist was red where he had gripped it."Are you out of your mind, Walter?" she exclaimed. "Leaving your sweetheart behind like that, aren't you worried about the rumors?""You're the one who's lost it! Have you forgotten who you are, Mrs. Walter Gordon? Flaunting yourself for another man, do you think that's fitting?" Walter shot back, matching her sarcasm with his own.Evangeline's black coat flutte