Evangeline had been pregnant for three months already. Was it not almost time for a prenatal checkup?Only the expectant mother, Evangeline, would be allowed to enter the doctor's office alone during the checkup. That was the easiest time for something to happen!Although Walter was not entirely sure whether his suspicions were accurate, he thought it was better to be safe than sorry. For Evangeline's safety, there was nothing he would not do.With that in mind, Walter dialed Evangeline's number.At the time, Evangeline was enjoying the cantaloupe Julieta had given her. The sweet taste eased the bitterness in her heart, lifting her mood quite a bit.However, just as she relished that moment, it was interrupted by a phone call—Walter.When his name flashed on the screen for the third time, Evangeline finally, albeit reluctantly, picked up the call."Mr. Gordon, you better have something important to say. Calling me repeatedly—don't you have anything better to do?"Walter was sur
She never expected that."You killed it and think paying a usage fee is enough? Evangeline, that's not how you do business!"Evangeline felt blood rush straight to her head.What kind of nonsense was Walter spouting?"Besides the usage fee, what else should I pay? Emotional damage for the tadpoles?"Evangeline felt an unprecedented insult to her intelligence as soon as she said that."Walter, don't assume I didn't take biology in middle school. Even if I didn't use your tadpoles, it wouldn't survive more than a week anyway. It was bound to die eventually. Isn't it better to let it live on in another form than just to let it die off completely?"This is blatant extortion!"Evangeline sorted her thoughts and fired back like a machine gun.However, Walter had already decided to be shameless."So what if it's extortion? What are you going to do about it? You can give me the tadpoles back, even their corpses, if you want. I'm not picky..."Look at how generous he was.Walter eve
So that was it.Evangeline lowered her gaze. Her heart, which had been filled with anger, suddenly felt hollow.So, that was the truth.It turned out everything was because Trey had given Walter an order. Walter had no choice but to comply, so he called her about accompanying her to the prenatal checkup.However, it was Walter. Would he compromise so easily?"Are you serious?" Evangeline asked, unable to believe it."I am."Walter pretended to be impatient, grumbling, "Do you think I have nothing better to do? If it weren't for the old man's strict orders, telling me to make time to accompany you to the checkup, I wouldn't even bother!"He knew Evangeline all too well.Evangeline was a dutiful woman.She would have refused without a second thought if he simply said he wanted to accompany her to the checkup. However, bringing up his grandfather would leave her with no choice."If that's the case, I'm relieved," Evangeline said in a calm voice, but her heart had already turned
Yale knew it was not the time to worry about wastefulness. The baby was important, but Evangeline's safety was even more so. There was only one way to ensure the best of both worlds."The medical equipment for the checkup may not be a lot, but it's still a hassle. Maybe we should just skip it?"Evangeline hesitated, saying, "Uncle, it's just a prenatal checkup, a simple ultrasound. With so many bodyguards from the Foster family protecting me, what can possibly go wrong?"She could tell her uncle was overthinking things out of concern, and she also knew that following his arrangements was the safest thing to do. However, she did not want to.As her uncle gave his reasons for persuading her, Evangeline recalled Walter's words—that he had to be present for their child's first checkup.Thinking about how slim the chances were for the three of them to be together as a family in the future, Evangeline could not bear to break the promise she had made to Walter. Although she always acted
David had utterly missed the hint!The more Celina thought about it, the more restless she became.She did not want to hurt anyone and did not want to break the law!She wanted to find David and explain everything, but he was mysteriously busy and had not shown up all day.After thinking it over for a while, Celina pushed the door to her private room in the beauty salon.Outside, it was a bright and sunny beauty salon, but inside, it was a world of darkness.The heavy door had become a boundary between two completely different worlds.Once inside, Celina skillfully turned on the light, revealing the computer.Sitting down at the desk, she pressed the power button as usual, but her hand slipped into the pocket of her uniform.With a flash of gold, a small metallic USB drive appeared in her hand.When the computer fully booted up, her trembling fingers had already inserted the USB into the port.That was something Celina had been planning to do for a long time.She did not wa
She had planned to leave early."Alright," she said.The doctor told her assistant to prepare the examination form on the computer. Then, she moved closer to Evangeline and inquired about her condition."At this stage of your pregnancy, there should already be some fetal movements. How do you feel about the frequency of those movements?"Evangeline recalled the few times she had felt the baby move inside her belly."I've felt some movements, but they've been very rare. Is that a problem?"The strength and frequency of fetal movements were signs of the baby's health. Evangeline started to feel anxious. On the other hand, Walter's expression showed a hint of delight.The baby had already moved? When did that happen?The amount of time he had spent with Evangeline was pitifully small, and every time they met, it ended with them storming off in anger. When had there ever been a chance for him to bond with the baby?At that thought, a trace of pain flickered in Walter's eyes. If th
Since the vice president had personally instructed her, Dr. Cassey meticulously examined Evangeline before telling her and Walter to wait outside for the test results. After seeing them out, she closed the door behind them.However, the moment the door to the examination room shut, Dr. Cassey's forced smile immediately vanished, and her eyes darkened with a cold, sinister gleam.Dr. Cassey pulled out her phone in the small, quiet room and dialed a number. Before she could even speak, a cheerful woman's voice came through the receiver."Is it done?"Dr. Cassey lowered her gaze and replied, "I'm sorry. I failed to complete the task.""What happened?" The woman's voice on the other end almost deafened her. "Did Evangeline not go for the prenatal check-up?""It's not that. Walter accompanied Evangeline into the examination room. I had no chance to make a move."So, Miss, the task has failed..."On the other side, Julia's face turned ashen with anger.All she wanted was to have som
"You're welcome."He had wanted to add—'mother of my child.'Walter realized those words were inappropriate, so he tactfully held them back.The hand that had been resting on Evangeline's waist stiffened. It was only when Evangeline returned to her senses that she pried his hand off and created a safe distance between them.Walter did not feel awkward, though. Instead, he took the opportunity to say what he had already planned."Evangeline, the baby is stable now, and we need many things. Why don't we go shopping and buy some things for the baby?"He did not want to miss a single moment of the baby's life. However, given the state of their relationship, he could only take every opportunity he had to prepare for the baby. As for the rest, he would work hard to win the child's mother back. Naturally, he would not let his child go without."Shopping? Now?" Evangeline asked in surprise, her hand instinctively moving to her belly. "Isn't it a bit early? We don't even know if it's a b
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