"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
With Evangeline's life hanging in Julia's hands, Walter felt he had no choice but to play along with whatever she demanded."Fine, I'm on my way.""No!" Julia's voice was firm. "Walt, it's our 'wedding night', and we've got an audience. You've got to look sharp, don't you think? If you don't dazzle me, I might just have second thoughts. I can wait, so take your time getting ready."Julia was clearly savoring the control she had, making Walter jump through hoops for her amusement."Okay."Walter's response was immediate.If it meant saving Evangeline, he would do anything, even if it meant playing dress-up for Julia's twisted game.Walter's mind was buzzing with questions about the sender of that cryptic text.The message had pinpointed the location perfectly and seemed to carry a vibe of kindness toward Evangeline. Who could be looking out for her from the shadows? Was it a guy or a woman?However, Walter was not sweating the details. If they were on Evangeline's side, they we
However, what could he do? The thought of Julia, the thought of his true love Evangeline trapped by that witch, sapped all his will to care about his appearance.Walter slowly lifted his hand, brushing his chin.Overnight, his face had sprouted a rough stubble, making him look worn and nothing like the dashing Mr. Walter Gordon of the Gordon family.Was Walter the kind of guy Julia would be happy with?He was not sure, but just putting on a clean shirt to see Julia who made his skin prickle was pushing it for him.Walter kept his calm and did not bother calling the police. After all, when he was part of the mighty Gordon family, he did not need the police to handle a lady.Once he had set up the rescue team for Evangeline, Walter hit the road solo, heading to the spot they had picked out.Warehouse 226, just outside the city, was like a blast from the past.Taking over the company from Alex had not been a walk in the park. The old guard did not take kindly to change, and Alex's
Just thinking about it infuriated Julia, so she was determined to get even with Walter. She was determined to relive every moment she had dreamed of sharing with Walter.Julia snuggled into Walter's embrace, a little bird seeking comfort, as the smooth melody of a waltz filled the air.They danced to the rhythm of the music, Julia pouring her heart into every move, her grace in stark contrast to Walter's more relaxed approach.Lost in the dance, Julia's mind drifted back to the time when she had first stepped into Evangeline's shoes to save Walter. He had been so tender and careful with her, his voice so soft as if he feared she might break into tears.Walter's gentle murmur tickled her ear, sending her into a sweet daze."Julia, do you like how I look today?"As Walter spoke, his gaze was not on her but scanned the surroundings. He knew Evangeline was supposed to be watching, hidden somewhere close by.He knew that abandoned warehouse like the back of his hand, but with its maz
"Do I... even have the right to say I'm not satisfied?"Walter had not forgotten why he was there, not for a second.He arched an eyebrow, his smile a mix of mischief and warmth, but his hand was firm, keeping a careful distance between him and Julia.Julia stroked his cheek with a tenderness that belied the cruelty of her words, her fingers tracing the rough stubble on his chin."Of course... not," she said, her voice dripping with malice.With a sudden flourish, she lifted her head and with a flick of her wrist, the crimson drapes tumbled to the floor.Behind a pane of glass, Evangeline was tied up, her eyes wide with fear, her mouth sealed shut. Her belly was still round, a sign that the baby was safe—for the time being. Walter's heart eased, if only just a bit."Mm mmh mmph!"The glass was thin, so Walter could hear every muffled sob from Evangeline.Her hair was a mess, and a dark bruise marred her forehead—a clear sign of Julia's rough handling.The thought of what migh
Julia noticed that spark in his gaze and knew exactly what he was hinting at—the kind of excitement she was hoping for. Her cheeks turned a rosy pink, and she covered them with her hand, her curiosity piqued. "What do you have in mind?""Just wait and see..." Walter said with a teasing smile, smoothly slipping off his tie. He leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear. "This is our wedding suite, right? I owe you an unforgettable first night as a married couple."His voice was deep and smooth, like velvet, and it sent shivers down Julia's spine. She was already head over heels for Walter, and she was ready to dive into the thrill he promised.She had no idea Walter could be so bold and adventurous.In an instant, she felt herself being gently turned over, then lying on her stomach on the bed. Julia thought it was just one of Walter's playful moves and offered no resistance.Even as her hands were gently secured behind her back with the silky tie, she did not worry. She playf
The pain was so intense that Alex felt like he was choking.He tried to speak, to ask why, but memories of his younger years clamped his mouth shut. After all, calling out Trey for his unfairness was like asking to be kicked when he was already down.Alex had always been the outsider in the Gordon family, especially in Trey's eyes.Both were grandsons, but Trey treated Alex and Walter worlds apart. Alex could do something flawlessly and barely dodge a scolding, but if Walter did the same, Trey would sing his praises to the heavens.Eventually, every servant in the Gordon mansion knew Alex was the grandson Trey did not care for. He became the invisible one, the kid who got nothing from the Gordons but food, drink, and a ticket to school. Not a shred of the warmth and affection that should come with family.Little Alex watched everyone fawn over Walter, and a seed of envy and jealousy sprouted silently in his heart. Those feelings for Walter, tangled and twisted, just grew more comp
However, the line between paradise and disaster was just a heartbeat away.At Walter's eighteenth birthday bash, Trey handed over the reins of Gordon Group to him as a rite of passage gift, right in front of everyone.Alex, who had always seen himself as the head of the Gordon family, turned into the punchline of a bad joke that day, in the eyes of all the guests and the Gordon family.Stunned, Alex stood rooted to the spot until Trey's pointed look snapped him back to reality.He gritted his teeth and stayed until the party was over. Walter, holding the appointment papers, looked bewildered as he caught Alex's eye.It was obvious that he was just as clueless about why a simple birthday had turned his world upside down.The brothers were about to speak when Trey suddenly whisked Alex away.In the silence of the study, Trey did not lecture Alex. He just floated a few comforting words his way."Alex, you've put in a ton of work at the company over the years. Now that Walter is al
Alex's eyes were dead serious. He was not kidding around.Walter's gaze sharpened as he tucked away his inner scoff. "Why the sudden need for a job? What's got you coming to me?"Or could it be that the mighty son of the Gordon family can't snag a job in the sprawling Avalon City?"By the end of his words, Walter's eyes brimmed with scorn.The brothers had shared their childhood, growing up side by side.Walter, the youngest son of the family, was always tagging along after Alex, calling him 'big bro' this and 'big bro' that. They had been thick as thieves.However, at some point, a thin veil of distance had settled between them, turning their once robust bond of brotherhood into something delicate and strained.Then came Evangeline, whose arrival sent their shaky bond into a tailspin.Out of everyone in the Gordon family, Alex was the one Walter could not stand the most.However, Walter's petty schemes barely registered with Alex, who just gave a half-hearted smirk, a grin th
David took the keychain and offered it up to Walter with all due respect. "You dropped this."Walter only realized what David was handing him when he saw it—a keychain. He took it, turning it over in his hands, feeling its weight. "Thank you. This means a lot to me.""Did... Did Mrs. Gordon give this to you?"David knew better than to dig into his boss's personal life, but he could not help asking, given how much Walter seemed to care about the keychain.To David, it seemed like only Evangeline could make Walter hold something in such high regard.Walter managed a weak smile in response. "I wish it was from her..."If only Evangeline had been the one to save him, then all the troubles he faced would have melted away…He let his voice trail off, making no attempt to hide his feelings."You didn't bring it up, but I almost forgot. When you get back, you'll have more than just your regular duties. You'll need to help me with an investigation..."He was determined to find out the
Guilt washed over David, and his heart throbbed with pain.A thought struck him. Maybe he owed it to himself to try again, to make amends to the woman who had lost hope because of him.Little did David know, his seemingly simple question had set off a tidal wave in Walter's heart.Walter's history with Evangeline was like a jigsaw puzzle with too many pieces missing. It was not as easy as just wanting something anymore.Without Cole, without the kids, Evangeline, who never really liked him, would not even spare him a second glance. It was just like Alex had said.Evangeline had only married him because she thought he was someone else.For whatever reason, Julia, with her web of lies, made him neglect his one true love, Evangeline. He even shamed her when she longed for a child.The mistake was made worse, the guilt heavier. Even if he could not make sense of it, his chances were gone…With that thought, Walter cracked a wry smile. "We're different, and whether it makes sense or
"Is there really no chance for you and Celina to...?" Walter began, his curiosity getting the better of him, but David cut him off."Mr. Walter Gordon, it's time to leave the past behind."With the Southern Crownlands diamond mine case wrapped up, David felt a weight lift off his chest.He could not afford to take a break. The moment he did, Celina's face, filled with disappointment in the blizzard, would haunt him.He had always figured that being a guy, it was normal to miss out on time with Celina because of work commitments. He just had to swallow his pride, talk to her heart-to-heart, and she would get where he was coming from.Thus, when he finally got to see her, he laid his cards on the table, all his sincerity on show.However, things did not pan out the way he had hoped, and it was not just him who paid the price—Evangeline and the Foster family got dragged into a whole heap of trouble.Then, haunted by guilt, Celina's disappointed face haunted his dreams, growing shar
In the past, Julia would not have batted an eye at whatever grand gesture Ethan made for her.However, things had changed. After pouring her heart out for Walter, only to have it wasted, how could she not feel a pang of guilt and a rush of gratitude when Ethan still stood by her side, ready to give his all?Ethan gently stroked her hair, his eyes soft with affection. "Julia, you shouldn't have to worry about this...""But I can't help it!" Julia's voice broke through her restraint, loud and clear. "Why should Walter get away with hurting me, and then turn around and manipulate you?"Ethan's eyes flickered shut for a moment, clearly done with the conversation. "Let's go home."Hand in hand, they made their way onto the plane at Meadowvale's private airstrip. Walter, bound by his deal with Ethan, had no choice but to bid them farewell.He watched the sleek private jet take off, his gaze deep and calculating, a sly smile playing on his lips. That was his first chess move against t
Julia gazed at the man's face, her mind wandering.Was it true? This man, who everyone looked up to, dropped everything—his work, his family duties—to be there, all because he did not want her to be alone?What kind of feeling was that?Whatever it was, just seeing what he had done was enough to stir any girl's heart.Even Julia, who had Walter in her thoughts, could not hide her emotions.Tears filled her eyes, and without a care for the watchful eyes of the bodyguard, she lunged into the man's embrace."Thank you. Thank you for still choosing to love me, Your Highness."She hardly ever used such formal titles for the guy, standing in front of her.Titles like 'duke' or 'viscount' from overseas just were not her thing. She even thought that using them created an invisible gap between people.However, right then, she felt compelled to use his title, as a reminder to herself of just how incredible he was.In Julia's eyes, Ethan Jefferson was infinitely better than Walter—by a
The diamond mines in Southern Crownlands were a gold mine, literally. Any official could name their price and be set for life. There was no way they would turn down a fortune that was practically in their hands.Unless... It was all because of the guy standing in front of Walter.As Walter locked eyes with him, the man casually threw up his hands. "No need to be suspicious. I gave him a ring before I came to see you. For a deal this big, he wouldn't dare call the shots without backup."Walter's stoic expression betrayed none of his thoughts, while the man in front of him seemed like he could not wait a second longer."Do you still have reservations? If you do, why don't you mull it over here while I go see Julia?" The man spoke as he casually opened his arms, allowing Walter's crew to give him a quick pat-down."Don't worry, I'm here to rescue, not to wreak havoc. Why would I bring anything dangerous?"Walter caught his bodyguard's eye with a meaningful glance.Getting the hint,