Walter's eyes narrowed, his face a mask of calm.He had seen David's report coming a mile away."Any breakthroughs?" Walter prodded.Years of working together had given David and Walter a kind of silent shorthand. With just a few cryptic words from Walter, David could almost read his mind."No leads yet. The guy running the show is tied up with the Bennison family through marriage. He's actually family, not someone we can sway with cash," David explained.The case would not be such a headache otherwise.David knew Walter had poured his heart into that case, so he tried to lift his spirits. "Just because we're stuck now doesn't mean we're out of options. I'll keep digging for something to go on!"He could not believe that everyone was in the Bennison family's pocket. People always had a price or a weak spot!"David, now it's my turn to drop some news on you."Celina's been hurt."Walter's sigh was trapped in his throat.He was at a loss. The diamond mine case was safe only in
With that thought, Walter pressed on, "David, you and I both know Celina is on the other side. Has she done anything out of the ordinary lately?"Out of the ordinary?David's hand tightened into a fist without him realizing it.There was one thing.That afternoon, Celina did something she had never done before—she texted him.[My stomach hurts. I could really go for some oatmeal.]David, seizing the moment to be the caring boyfriend, did not hesitate to get her some oatmeal.However, instead of a cozy night in, Celina had him meet her at a cafe.The cafe was all class and style. David stuck out like a sore thumb with his simple oatmeal. To anyone else, he might have looked pretty ridiculous.However, he did not mind.The scent of coffee filled the air, but he pushed aside the cup in front of Celina and assertively placed his oatmeal before her. "Got a stomach ache, right? Try this."In that instant, he caught a shimmer of tears in Celina's eyes.He knew she was moved. For h
David, through his actions, became the living embodiment of the saying 'If you've got no shame, you're unstoppable.'Celina had reached her limit. "I got you here because you totally missed my subtle signals!"She thought she had been crystal clear, yet there she was, hearing that Evangeline was heading to the hospital for her checkup.Celina had to wonder: How did David manage to work with Walter all those years? Was it really all due to his thick skin?"I got the message," said David, suddenly all business, "but Mr. Walter Gordon and Mrs. Gordon are set on a hospital visit. There's nothing I can do but to discreetly arrange for some extra security to ensure Mrs. Gordon's safety.""Are they both... not quite right in the head?"Celina had to pause before she found a way to phrase 'idiots' more tactfully as 'not quite right in the head.'David just shrugged helplessly."This whole situation is just plain weird! At the start, Mrs. Gordon was head over heels for the big boss, pra
The marble of the gravestone was icy to the touch.However, as Julia leaned on it, a long-missed warmth seeped through her.The day they carried out the execution, the police had called, inviting her to say one last goodbye to her parents. However, once she was all dressed up and her makeup was done, she looked in the mirror and just could not bring herself to go.Her parents were about to be executed. What was she supposed to do, wave them off?The pain was too much. She could not bring herself to leave the house and eventually gave up.The more she hurt, the more she resented Evangeline.Why should she have to feel that way? Why was it that her parents faced the ultimate punishment, and yet she was left unscathed? Worse still, she was carrying the baby of the man she adored!It was so unfair!Why did Evangeline get all the breaks, while she could not even grasp a shred of happiness?Her heart seethed with rage.Julia's fingers gently traced the face of Lydia in the photo.
"Ms. Evangeline, with the way you're sneezing up a storm, you shouldn't be hanging around here. No matter how clean your clothes are, they'll pick up dust, and that's no good for your nose. Why don't you head downstairs and spend some quality time with your grandfather?"Cole could not contain his excitement when he heard Evangeline was moving back home. He had finished all his chores early and was just lounging in the living room, eagerly awaiting her return.The thought of his hopeful look made Evangeline's heart waver. Before she moved back, she had not given it much thought. However, the idea of being around her grandfather all the time scared her. She dreaded the moment he might bring up Walter, such as why Walter had not visited with her pregnancy becoming more obvious with each passing month…Julieta had been by Evangeline's side for months and could read her like an open book. She gave Evangeline's shoulder a reassuring pat and said softly, "Ms. Evangeline, your grandpa is
Cole did not have a clue about old-timey dramas. He just threw on some random show to pass the time while waiting for Evangeline.He had not even paid attention until she pointed it out.Then, taking a closer look, he just saw a bunch of characters in ancient garb hopping around the screen, which was kind of dizzying.However, when Evangeline asked him about it, he felt too sheepish to say he would just put on anything, so he played along. "What's the big deal? Young folks get to binge-watch whatever, but an old guy like me can't be trendy?""Oh, that's not it!" Evangeline linked her arm with Cole's. "I'm just curious, that's all."Grandpa, you're usually all about the great outdoors, right? Our family's garden is one of the nicest spots in Avalon City. It's perfect for a stroll when you're looking to relax."She was right. The Foster family's garden was a sight to behold, sprawling and lush in the heart of Avalon City.However, Cole was not having it."I've walked that garden
"Health? Why bother fussing over this old body?" Cole's voice was heavy with bitterness. "Trapped in this massive, empty house all day, forbidden from stepping outside—it might as well be a prison. I've lived a full life, and I'm done with these bitter concoctions!"Evangeline's eyes sparkled with understanding as she realized her hunch was right.Her grandfather might have thrown in the towel, but she had a trick up her sleeve."Don't you want to meet your great-grandson?" She set aside her spoon and gently patted her growing belly. "Grandpa, this little rascal is a real handful. He's always doing somersaults inside, eager to pop out and see you!"Cole's eyes lit up with a mix of joy and regret. "Of course, my great-grandson! How could that slip my mind?"When the maid came back, she found them in a fit of giggles and wondered what had happened. A quick glance revealed the chicken soup bowl, polished clean."Ms. Evangeline, your oatmeal is ready."Evangeline did not even glance
Evangeline tried to sound nonchalant.Truth was, Walter's comment had scared her more than she would admit.The baby she was carrying was only there because her grandfather wanted it. The thought of having another was too overwhelming to even consider."Hahaha, that's my boy! Walter, you're the best grandson-in-law a guy could ask for!"Cole was at that age where grandkids were his favorite thing, so he was all compliments for Walter.However, that did not mean his worries were gone."Evie, you moved back home, and Walter hasn't even dropped by or called. Is he upset?"If Evangeline's determination to stick by Cole had caused a fight with Walter, Cole would feel guilty. He would have to convince her to move back as soon as possible!Right on cue, Julieta walked in with Evangeline's phone blaring."Ms. Evangeline..." Julieta glanced at the name on the screen, hesitated for a second, then said with a warm smile, "You've got a call from Mr. Walter Gordon."Regardless of how Evan