"We're all busy people, always running around with a million things to do. So when I'm with you, I just want to keep it simple." If David had been his usual jokester self, Celina would have drawn the line without a second thought. However, he had changed. His seriousness was something she could not just brush off.She composed herself, putting some space between them, and looked him in the eye. "David, you'll never just be some guy named David, and I won't just be plain old Celina. If the world was simple enough to just focus on the person right in front of you, that'd be pretty sweet, wouldn't it?"Women had a knack for picking up on emotional stuff, and Celina, working in customer service, was a professional at reading people. From the moment she met David, she had seen that strong, possessive look in his eyes. Even so, what did it matter? David being here meant Walter was involved, and she was not just some regular salon owner. They were from different worlds, standing on opposite
Since there were no other options, Julia had no choice but to find her subordinate, Celina."Alright, I'm at the beauty salon right now. Do you want to come pick up the keys, or should I bring them to you?"Celina already knew about Julia's release without charge. Though she was stuck in a mess, she did not want to stoop to their level.Holding onto the hope of staying as far away as possible, she continued running her beauty salon with the same care as always."Come over. You can give me a ride too. Oh, and tomorrow, arrange a car for me. It's too inconvenient without one."Celina could only agree to Julia's orders.However, the thought of doing something she was unwilling to do sent a sharp pain through her stomach, the ache growing worse by the second.After hanging up, she clutched her stomach and painfully made her way out of the treatment room, only to find David still standing there."Why haven't you left yet?"David was too focused on her pale face and the way she was
Evangeline's memories of Yessica were hazy, but from the photographs, it was clear how beautiful and graceful her mother had been.How could someone so wonderful have borne a child for Andrew?The more Evangeline thought about it, the more hatred festered inside her, as if her heart were plunging into an endless abyss.In the darkness of her mind, she saw the image of the judge sentencing Andrew to death.Andrew… Was he really about to die?What a conflict of emotions.Andrew was the man who had caused his wife's death and dragged her into such misery. He was finally facing punishment, but she… felt pity for him.Was this the bond of blood?Evangeline's mind went blank, her hollow heart unsure of what to think or feel.Images of the few moments of fatherly love Andrew had ever shown her began to surface, and she could not stop herself from softening.She even thought, was there anything she could do to save Andrew from death…?As for Lydia, she had never been a consideration.
The day of execution was in mere hours. How could Evangeline fall asleep during such a tense time?"Mrs. Lewis…"Evangeline choked up, her eyes brimming with tears. The emotions that had been bottled up in her heart were finally released, like a dam that had burst open, flooding uncontrollably.Tears streamed down her cheeks as she asked Julieta helplessly, "Do you think I've made a mistake?"Her mother had died unjustly, and she was determined to seek justice for her. Justice had been served at long last, yet she was about to send her own father to the guillotine.On one side was her mother; on the other, her father. How could she choose in a way that would leave her with no regrets?Seeing Evangeline break down, Julieta could not help but feel moved. She gently pulled Evangeline into her arms."Miss, this isn't your fault. People reap what they sow. Even if you hadn't intervened, I believe Mr. Rearden would've still ended up on this path. It was only a matter of time."Juliet
"Hah! Alright, then. You truly are something else, Evangeline!"Andrew's condescending attitude was met with a sharp rebuttal. He was furious, but since Evangeline's words were reasonable, he could only hold his anger.Looking at her father, Evangeline felt the last sliver of hope for him vanish completely. She wiped away the tears that had unknowingly fallen from her eyes, cleared her throat, and asked, "Has Julia… come to see you?"She knew, from childhood until now, Andrew's favorite daughter had always been Julia. Surely, in his final moments, the one he thought of the most would be her.Unexpectedly, the mention of Julia touched the last soft spot in Andrew's heart. His once arrogant face instantly grew despondent. He did not say a word, but that reaction alone was enough for Evangeline to know the answer.Julia would not come to see him, even in his dying moments.Was this the daughter he had cherished and protected until the very end?Evangeline could not quite describe t
"When did you come in?"Evangeline had been so engrossed in her conversation with Andrew that she had not even noticed Walter entering the room.This was an important day, and Evangeline had planned to face it alone. She had not expected Walter to show up so early and insist on entering the room with her.Evangeline had flatly refused, but he reminded her that they had not divorced yet, and he was still technically Andrew's son-in-law. Reluctantly, she had to let him come in with her.When she began speaking to Andrew, Walter had waited outside.Walter's dark eyes narrowed. "I just came in a moment ago. I saw you talking with Andrew and didn't want to interrupt. Visiting hours are over now. We should leave." He reached out his arm to help her out."Alright, thank you," Evangeline replied coolly, her steps quickening to move past him, avoiding his arm entirely as she walked out of the visitation room. She left Andrew and Walter behind, staring at each other.Almost involuntaril
David knew how important Evangeline was, so he immediately rushed after her. "Ma'am, don't you want to wait for Mr. Gordon? He should be back soon."After all, Andrew had no real connection with Walter. What could a son-in-law and father-in-law have so much to talk about?However, Evangeline was thinking about something else entirely.Before his death, Andrew had repeatedly urged her to give Walter to Julia. Since he finally had the chance to speak with Walter, how could he not want to say it directly to the main person involved?"No, they'll probably have a lot to talk about. I need to head over to Sunny Glow Beauty Salon for a facial, so I'll go now."Evangeline smiled meaningfully, no longer paying attention to David, and walked away without a second thought.Sunny Glow Beauty Salon?"Ma'am, didn't Mr. Gordon say he wanted you to go somewhere else for your facial?" asked David in confusion. He could not figure out what Celina was thinking, and since Celina was likely Julia's
Evangeline elegantly waved the VIP card in her hand, her smile poised and graceful.The receptionist immediately covered her mouth in embarrassment. "I'm terribly sorry.""It's fine. Since I haven't been here since I got the card, it's only natural that you wouldn't recognize me," Evangeline reassured her, offering the receptionist an excuse.In truth, at a high-end salon like this, failing to remember clients and not providing them with a flawless experience was a significant oversight. Of course, Evangeline was not really concerned about this, so she did not mind how the receptionist behaved.The receptionist gave a grateful smile and quickly took the VIP card from Evangeline's hand, gesturing for her to follow. "Please, come with me."When the card was swiped, the machine gave a soft 'ding', and Evangeline's name appeared on the screen.The receptionist enthusiastically continued her pitch about their latest products."Ma'am, I see that the service you purchased last time was