Lydia could not help but shiver when she recalled the bodyguards' conversation.She could handle any place, as long as it did not involve that terrifying electric chair.However, Lydia was used to the finer things, and the sudden drop from luxury to that hellhole was tough to swallow.She took her daughter's arm, eyeing her young face that seemed a bit strange then, and asked with a hopeful grin, "Julia, we're not going to stick around here forever, are we? This place is so chilly we have to burn logs to keep warm, and bugs could pop out at any moment. Freaky, right?"Minnie got the hint and patted her mother's hand reassuringly. "Don't sweat it, Mom. This is just for now. Trust me, when it's time to move, I'll be the first one out the door."Living in those mountains, with the hassle of even taking a bath, was not a permanent plan."That's a relief," Lydia sighed, her eyes quickly scanning Minnie's face, her brow creasing with concern. "Julia, every time we've met before, you we
Lydia's thoughts turned to her estranged husband, and her expression darkened."Why waste your thoughts on that loser? He promised me the moon and the stars, but when push came to shove? The moment the Fosters got involved, it all fell apart. He dumped everything on me! Let him do whatever he wants. For all I care, he might as well be dead!"The feud between her parents had all started because of a woman named Yessica, who was Evangeline's mother."Mom, it's just us here. You can tell me the truth. How did Yessica really die?"Lydia turned pale and dodged the question awkwardly. "Why bring her up out of the blue? She was nothing but trouble, and I'd rather not even speak of her!""But I have to know what happened, right?!" Minnie could not stand it anymore. "Yessica was the darling of the Foster family. There's no way they'll just let this slide. If her death has nothing to do with you, then we don't have to worry about the Fosters. However, if it does, I need to be ready!"Lydia
Minnie's gut told her something fishy was going on, and she was right on the money. The moment she caught Lydia's shifty eyes, she knew it.The two of them locked in a stare-down for what felt like forever until Lydia finally caved with a big sigh."Look, none of this mess is my fault," Lydia confessed. "Your dad pulled a fast one on me. Yessica wasn't sick at all. She was alive and kicking the whole time you were in my belly, and even after you were born. I got so fed up that I made your dad choose between us and Yessica and her kid. He didn't say a word, but a month after our big blowout, Yessica kicked the bucket in the hospital."Lydia's story neatly dumped all the blame on Andrew, who was not even there to defend himself, leaving her hands clean.However, the whole thing about Yessica's sudden death just raised a whole bunch of red flags."So you're saying you have no clue how Yessica could just up and die from being sad?"Lydia was all high and mighty with her words.Howev
In the rundown bungalow of Newstead Zone…The Foster family's bodyguard brigade stormed the yard. The folks guarding Minnie and Lydia were quickly overpowered, and the Fosters' top bodyguard marched right in and escorted the mother-daughter duo out.Yale, the cool uncle, took over the whole Lydia and daughter investigation, leaving Evangeline with just one job: keep herself and the bun in the oven safe.As she rode back to the villa, Evangeline stared out the window.The trees zipped past in a blur, but she could not shake off the feeling. Was it anxiety or sadness weighing on her?Lydia was in the net. Would she spill the beans about her mother's death?What about Minnie? Would her true identity come to light?Evangeline's mind was a whirlwind of unanswered questions, leaving her restless and uneasy."Miss, you're looking a bit pale. Maybe you should take a break?" suggested the driver understandingly.Evangeline dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand. "No, let's just hea
Were they not on the brink of divorce?"Nope," said Evangeline, a touch of embarrassment in her voice. "This baby is all mine. Walter is not involved."Hank's gaze grew shadowy.If Walter was not involved, it meant they definitely had not made up. However, if they had not made up, why would Evangeline have Walter's baby?Hank did not even have to ask before Evangeline continued."You know how it is. My grandpa has been super sick, and he's been dreaming of cuddling a great-grandkid. However, my uncles are a bunch of letdowns, none of them willing to tie the knot, so my grandfather's hopes are all on me..."Evangeline trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.Hank was sharp, so he definitely got the hint.Truthfully, for Cole's sake, Evangeline had already split from Walter without any drama. There was no way she would get tangled up with him again."Got it!"Hank let out a silent sigh of relief."But Evie, it's tough being a single mom. Even with the Foster family's power, a kid
Walter's rage boiled over. His fists were clenched so tight that they could turn coal into diamonds, but he did not budge an inch.David, who had just rushed to the scene, was clueless about the drama that had just played out. He only caught a glimpse of Evangeline whisking by and quickly asked, "Mr. Walter Gordon, I saw Mrs. Gordon take off. Are we still sending people after her?"David, being the go-to guy with connections, recognized Hank in a heartbeat, unlike Walter.The Gordons had been keeping tabs on Evangeline, shadowing her every move for her safety. Walter had bolted over, panicking that Evangeline had strayed from her usual path home, fearing the worst.However, what he found was far from danger. Evangeline was safe and sound, having dinner with some guy!"Forget it!" Walter snapped, instantly regretting his outburst. He caught David's hesitation and shot him a fierce look. "I said no chasing, not no following. What's gotten into you, David? You've been off your game!"
Inside the car, silence reigned. The driver kept to himself, steering the vehicle. Hank, out of habit, smoothed out his suit sleeve and gazed out the window.Out of the blue, his phone blared to life. Hank glanced at the caller ID and his brow creased in annoyance.The ringing grew more insistent, practically screaming at Hank to pick up.He finally gave in and answered."What took you so long, you little troublemaker? What are you up to out there?" scolded the voice on the other end."Nothing much." Hank let out a forced laugh. "You're always saying I don't cut it, right? How am I supposed to get better if I don't get out and get my hands dirty?"Hank knew exactly what his dad, Grant Tarp, was about to lay on him, so he played his cards right, leaving his father without a comeback.As expected, Grant's smooth talking stopped."Look, I know I've said it before, but you've been out there for what, seven or eight years now, Hank? It's about time you returned to take the reins, do
"Walter, why are you creeping around and following me?" demanded Evangeline with her arms folded, before Walter could even get a word out."I..." Walter stammered, his face a mask of stiffness, words failing him as he faced Evangeline's frosty demeanor.He was oblivious to the fact that his behavior only reminded her of a different, more painful reason for her coldness."Did you think you hadn't embarrassed me enough earlier? Is that why you're shadowing me, to add insult to injury?"She would never be able to erase the memory of what Walter had done to her.In the backseat of the car, he treated her as if she were nothing more than an object for his amusement.At the restaurant, he had the nerve to call her out in front of everyone, labeling her as someone who flirts too much.So then, she was determined to confront Walter and find out what game he was playing."Evangeline, you've got it all wrong, I never...""Never what?" Evangeline cut him off without a hint of politeness.
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