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
A shopping mall of that size—a single day of closure would mean a tremendous loss. Julia could easily guess as much, even with just a quick thought. So, she became even more curious.Who on earth had the power to clear out an entire mall of that scale for a whole day?That was until she saw the Rolls-Royce that had appeared in her dreams countless times…Walter!The head of the Gordon Group and the seventh young master of the Gordon family. As the mall owner, if he wanted to clear it for a day, it was unlikely any store owners would dare to object. After all, Walter's compensation for the closure was several times higher than their daily revenue!Julia quickly wondered why Walter went to such great lengths to clear out the mall. So, she stood by the window, staring intently at the Rolls-Royce.The car had stopped. Walter got out first, then walked to the other side of the vehicle. He carefully opened the door and helped someone out.Evangeline Rearden!She would still recognize
That was precisely why Julia had targeted Celina. She took a deep breath, waiting for the other person to continue."Julia, do you understand what you're saying right now?"You're well aware of the consequences our organization has for traitors..."The other person's tone grew increasingly serious, but Julia had already made her decision. She would not back down just because of a few confirming words."Of course, I know. And isn't it the organization's motto to kill ten thousand wrongly rather than to let one slip by?"Having experienced one failure, she wanted to eliminate Celina and have someone loyal and obedient assigned to her by the higher-ups."As long as you won't regret it."The call ended, and Julia waited right where she was for the news of Celina's elimination. What she did not expect was to receive another call ten minutes later."Celina's situation is unique. She can't be eliminated for now; we must verify a few things first."A unique situation?Julia had only
Celina was the first to arrive at the beauty salon, just like any other day, but her mind was miles away on this particular day.She tried to lead the morning staff meeting, but her thoughts kept drifting off, her face etched with worry.The young receptionist, who hardly ever saw Celina so out of sorts, joined the rest of the staff in urging her to take a day off to unwind.Alone in Avalon City, Celina had no real place to escape to. However, the genuine concern in her employees' eyes made it hard to say no. She had not taken a single day off since Sunny Glow Beauty Salon opened its doors. Maybe a day of rest was overdue.With that thought, she quickly gathered her things and drove off to her empty home.However, tranquility was short-lived.Walking to the underground parking lot, Celina could not shake the feeling that someone was tailing her. She glanced back several times but saw nothing out of the ordinary, so she picked up the pace.Then, as she slid into her car, a tall f
Celina, still reeling from the crash, could barely muster the strength to stand. She managed only a few steps before her legs gave out, and she crumpled to the curb, drained and weak.Then she thought of David.His face flashed through her mind, a beacon of hope in her darkest moment. Summoning every ounce of energy she had left, Celina dug out a tiny phone from her hidden waist pocket and dialed David's number.The phone rang and rang, each tone a fading echo of hope.With each unanswered call, the warmth in Celina's heart dimmed. By the third attempt, despair engulfed her completely. Her mother had been right all along—men were the most unreliable beings…However, what did that make her to David? He had shown interest, and she had, perhaps unwittingly, started to care more than she should have…The chill of death crept up her limbs, her body growing colder as her blood stilled in her veins. Without realizing it, Celina's eyes fluttered shut, surrendering to the numbness."Why
"I see."Evangeline understood easily when Walter clammed up like that—he was not in the mood for chit-chat.Why push it and make things awkward?The baby check-up was done, the shopping bags were packed, and it was time for Evangeline and Walter to say their goodbyes.The Foster family's ride was already curbside at the mall, waiting for Evangeline.She glanced back at Walter, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. Bathed in sunlight, his dark eyes seemed to hold her and only her. Of course, that was just wishful thinking, right?Evangeline snorted to herself.She knew better. The whole heart-eyes thing was just a trick of the light. After all, Walter was only there because of the baby—the Gordon heir growing inside her. Even if Walter wanted to look the other way, Trey sure would not let him."Goodbye, Walter." She waved, letting out the words she had been dying to say.If she had it her way, she would never have to face Walter again.Walter looked like he wanted to drop some big
Holden gave a thoughtful nod and looked back at Evangeline, his eyes clouded with concern. "Evie, did you know she's close with Julia, the one who hurt you? How could you even think of saving her?"He was stewing over Evangeline's mall trip with Walter. Talk about acting on a whim!Celina, a walking red flag, was getting that close to her. Was that not a glaring sign that the Fosters' security was slacking?If Celina had not been hurt, who knew what might have happened to Evangeline?Little did he know that Evangeline did not see it the same way."Uncle, you've never really met Celina, so you can't quite get her," said Evangeline."Celina's just been doing her job as the head of the beauty salon, and she's never done anything to hurt me. If she's actually working with Julia, then maybe... If we're honest with her, do you think she might have a change of heart and join our side?"Evangeline's hopeful plan was more for show than anything else, especially in front of Holden.Truth