"Holden, Dad might be a bit out of it these days, but he can still have moments of clarity. You've got to make sure this stays under wraps, make everyone at the Foster estate zip their lips!""I got it, don't worry."Holden felt a wave of unease. Armed with the news, he hurried back to the Foster family estate, only to find Celina and Cole casually chatting on the living room couch."Mr. Foster, my fiance David caught a chill and got sick, but I can't leave the house, so I had to ask Ms. Evangeline to take him to the hospital for me. You're not mad, are you?"Celina had rehearsed that with Evangeline, but even so, she hesitated for just a second when she mentioned David's name. Her voice, usually so strong and confident, softened without her even realizing it when she spoke to Cole.The old man, with his grandfatherly kindness, made her think of her grandfather.Her parents never wanted a daughter, so they left her with her grandparents right after she was born. Then, as if on cu
"Yeah, Evie should be okay. However, David, the poor kid, is sick, and we've got no news on him. You need to take care of yourself right now, and don't stress. Evie's got things under control, and she'll call as soon as there's any word from David."Cole wrapped an arm around Celina, offering her a comforting squeeze that sent warmth flooding through her. In the midst of that, Celina's mind flickered to the mission Evangeline had left with her grandfather."Mr. Foster, have you found your favorite celebrity yet? Since we can't do much else, let's try to track down the star you're into. That way, when Ms. Evangeline gets back, she can show you what to do next."Pushing down the flutter of anxiety in her chest, Celina flashed Cole a brave smile."Yeah, could you give me a hand? Let's start by tapping this icon, and then..."Together, the two huddled on the couch, fingers dancing over the smartphone's screen, which was displaying WebSphere.Holden watched the tender scene unfold bef
Walter was in the middle of a meeting, but he did not care that the top management was still around. He bellowed in disbelief, "What did you just say?! How on earth could Evangeline just disappear?"He wrapped up the meeting in a hurry and sent out his entire company's workforce, vowing to find Evangeline no matter the cost.The news made him instantly think of Julia.Julia had always been irked by Evangeline, treating her like a constant pain. With her parents gone and no family to speak of, Julia was like a wild card, unpredictable and unafraid.However, what worried Walter more was whether Julia was acting out of pure spite or if the Bennison family was pulling the strings.Everything he knew about Julia and the Bennison family was just guesswork. He had never found any solid proof of a scheme between Julia and the Bennison family.Of course, all those concerns paled in comparison to finding Evangeline. The thought of the baby Evangeline was carrying sent a shiver of urgency t
Julia knew that scene by heart; it was etched into her memory forever.There was no fond remembrance, no sense of reunion, just a surge of hatred that filled her heart.The first time, it was Walter's goons who dragged her there. She was bound and helpless, tied to an old, rusty bed.Ignored by everyone, those men left her there, alone on that cold bed, drowning in a sea of despair.How ironic.Back then, Julia knew nothing, still naively hoping Walt would come to her rescue.Eventually, Walt did show up… but not to save her. He was the one who sent her tumbling into a new kind of hell.A hell far worse than that rusty bed.Julia's steps were deliberate, slow, as if she was measuring the warehouse with her feet.She stopped only when she reached a narrow iron door.Julia's lips twisted into a wicked grin as she pictured the scene inside. She could not believe Evangeline's turn of fate.She fought back a snicker, put her shoulder into it, and shoved the door open.The room w
Conrad had warned her that Cole's health was hanging by a thread, only kept stable by the Foster family's constant care. He could not handle another blow.She prayed silently, desperately hoping Cole would stay in the dark about her kidnapping.However, Julia, pacing around the cot, was deaf to Evangeline's heart's cries, stopping ominously by her side.Winter had wrapped its chilly fingers around the world, and Evangeline was bundled up in layers of clothes. Yet, Julia's eyes cut through the fabric, fixating on the obvious bump that marred the silhouette. A surge of unprecedented loathing bubbled up within her.Why was it Evangeline who got to have Walter's baby, while she, despite all her efforts, had not even gotten close to him?Julia's manicured fingers paused their primping, drifting over to rest on Evangeline's stomach, stroking it ever so lightly.The thick layers muffled the sensation, but Evangeline could feel each of Julia's touches, sending shivers down her spine, her
"Come on, tell me, when have I ever not stepped aside for you? Anything you wanted, I never even laid a finger on it!" Evangeline tried to talk sense into Julia, keeping her voice as even as possible. "Besides, it's always been you who's taken more from me, hasn't it?"However, the moment she said that, Julia's eyes lit up like a spark had ignited within them, shining with an intense fire. "I took what's yours? Evangeline, don't you get it? All those things were meant to be mine from the start, none of it was ever yours!"It was like she was echoing her mother, Lydia. "If it weren't for you and your mother, how would I have ended up the secret butt of jokes, the so-called 'illegitimate' kid everyone sneered at for years? And if it weren't for you, wouldn't I have picked up my beloved violin way sooner?"It was downright maddening!Evangeline's hands balled into tight fists as she shot back, "Did you ever stop to think that if it weren't for you and your mom, the three of us could s
Julia had toyed with the idea of one last visit to her parents. However, she just did not have the guts.That was exactly why her anger at Evangeline burned even hotter. She blamed Evangeline for wrecking her entire life!Evangeline was so enraged that she was at a loss for words.She finally understood that she and Julia were way past the point of talking things out."Julia, let's face it, the past is done. My dad and your mom are in heaven now. There's no point in us fussing over their old troubles."You're after Walter, right? Well, here's the straight truth. My marriage to Walter has been dead in the water for ages. I only decided to have this kid because my grandfather got sick. And the only reason we haven't signed those divorce papers is because of him."She took a deep breath and forced herself to get it all out. That was the last thing Evangeline wanted to admit, but she had no choice.She had to make it crystal clear that she and Walter were history, that she would nev
Still, there was one thing she was not sure about."Evangeline, do you think Walter will come rescue you all by himself? He has to, right? If not for anything else, then at least for the baby you're carrying. He wouldn't want you to die here all alone..."The more Julia thought about it, the more thrilled she became. With a sharp snap of her fingers, the bodyguard approached with utmost respect."Silence her."She could not stand to listen to Evangeline anymore, not even a whisper.Meanwhile, Walter, racing toward the abandoned warehouse, was startled by a strange number flashing on his phone. It was Julia's voice that greeted him when he answered."My dear Walt, you must be so worried. Missing me, are you?"Walter was frantic and fuming, quickening his pace, struggling to keep his composure."Where have you taken Evangeline? Julia, if you lay a finger on her, you'll regret it!"However, Julia was no longer intimidated by his threats."So, you're not scared that Evangeline mi