"Enough, you vile woman!" Julia's voice cracked the air as she glared at Evangeline's smug face. "Do you really think Walter won't come after you for kicking me out?"Evangeline just stared, bewildered. "I used to think you had some sense, but clearly, I was wrong. You're a fool. I'm divorcing him, so his actions are none of my business!"Evangeline called out with a dismissive wave, "Mr. White, please escort these people out. I've no time to waste on them."With the police's help, the bodyguards packed the things and tossed them out the door. Humiliated, Andrew and Julia scrambled into a cab and disappeared.Evangeline surveyed the empty yard, everything as before, except her mother was gone for good.James gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder. He had lost his dearest sister, and he was determined to shield his niece from any sorrow, to spare himself from his sister's silent judgment.…Lydia was still babbling when Julia snapped, pressing her hands to her ears, "Shut it!
After enduring a whirlwind of events, Evangeline savored a restful night's sleep, a serenity she had not known for years.Her mother's voice and laughter were slowly fading from memory. She clung to her mother's photographs, terrified of forgetting the precious moments they shared.Gazing around her childhood home, the bedroom she knew so well, her once-distant memories sharpened into focus, drawing her nearer to her mother's essence.The house was theirs alone at last.At the crack of dawn, assistant Wade showed up at Evangeline's new place, armed with the day's necessary paperwork.Wade surveyed the house, which Evangeline had lovingly restored to its former childhood charm, cozy and tasteful."What caught your eye?" Evangeline inquired, noticing Wade's curious gaze."Just picturing you growing up here. Beats a hotel stay any day. That family sure got more than their money's worth over the years." Wade had learned of Andrew's misdeeds and could not help but feel outraged for E
"Mrs. Cook, is Walter at home?" asked Evangeline as she pulled Alice to the side, out of view of the security cameras.Alice could see the worry in Evangeline's eyes and reassured her, "The young master's not here. There's been some trouble at the company, and he's been so tied up that he hasn't been home in ages. You came to check on Mr. Gordon, didn't you?"Let's go inside, it's fine. Mr. Gordon often mentions you. He was so distressed when he heard about your divorce that he fell ill. Dr. Lawson just left a little while ago." Alice shared the latest news as she led Evangeline into the house.Evangeline reluctantly trailed behind her into the house.In the living room, Aria lounged on the couch, her eyes glued to her smartphone. Her gaze snapped up as they walked in, a mix of surprise and annoyance crossing her features."Alice, after all these years with the Gordons, you know better. What's with dragging in every random person? Are you trying to get fired?"Alice, who was not
Trey's illness had taken a toll on his appetite. Evangeline made him some oatmeal and carefully fed him, then gently washed his hands and face. By the time she was done, it was already the middle of the night.Once Trey was sound asleep, Evangeline could finally relax. She headed to her old room to wind down.After a quick wash, she was so wiped out that she passed out the moment her head hit the pillow.…Walter got in from the airport well after midnight, worn out from his trip and a nasty stomach bug. He barely made it to his bed before collapsing.Then, out of nowhere, he caught a whiff of something familiar.It was Evangeline's signature scent.Was he so tired he was hallucinating, or was her scent really lingering in the room?His fingers brushed against something unexpectedly soft, and without thinking, he gave it a gentle squeeze.Evangeline, who had been sound asleep, woke up with a start, her hand flying to her face as she cried out. She had been dreaming that a mons
Evangeline was left fuming, punching the pillow in frustration. "Great timing, as always. It's like fate loves to throw us together at the worst times."The next morning, Evangeline was up with the dawn, helping Alice whip up a pumpkin pie for Trey. He was not feeling great, but he managed to eat quite a bit, cheered by Evangeline's kindness, and seemed a little brighter for it.Afterward, Evangeline wheeled him out for a stroll in the garden.The last whispers of winter had finally retreated, and the morning sun wrapped the world in a cozy warmth. Tulips danced in the garden's gentle breeze, their colors a vivid tapestry. Evangeline and Trey were lost in easy conversation, their laughter mingling with the cheerful chatter of their video with Trey. It was one of those perfect, tranquil moments.However, tranquility shattered as they rounded the garden's rocky outcrop. There, a few faces soured Evangeline's mood in an instant.Walter and Julia sat in the gazebo, deep in discussion.
Evangeline was at a loss as she watched the unfolding drama.Has Walter lost his mind? He should be backing up his mother, his future mother-in-law, and his girlfriend, not defending her from his mother's wrath."Walter, what are you doing? I need to put her in her place! She's been spewing lies online, and now she's here, parading around like she owns the place. If we don't put her in her place, she'll think she can walk all over the Gordon family!" chastised Aria."Mom, Evangeline and I aren't divorced. So technically, she kind of does have a stake in the Gordon family," Walter retorted.As Walter watched, he began to see the struggles Evangeline had faced in the first three years of their marriage and started to grasp why she had turned out the way she had.A wave of regret washed over him.If he had been too late in the past, his chance to make amends had finally come."Walter, has she cast some kind of spell on you? She's been outright rude to your family, hurling insults a
Walter had just wrapped up some work when Caden called him to 'hang out'. Walter had been feeling on edge lately, so he agreed to meet at the swanky Golden Grand Hotel.Caden was buzzing in their get-together, while Walter looked like he could use a week's sleep."You're looking pretty chipper. Hit the jackpot recently?" Walter asked, noticing Caden's gusto, a far cry from his usual nitpicking self. Back in the day, Caden would make the chef check the temperature of his egg custard, not too hot, not too cold."Man, I joined this college student-run amateur racing team. It's like a scene straight out of a movie, all these gorgeous gals around. Makes me feel like I'm back in the college groove, all pumped up," said Caden with a grin."Come on, you know that's risky business. Your folks would flip if they knew," said Walter, trying to talk some sense into him."Hey, keep it on the down-low, will you? You're the only one in the loop. I'm planning to ride this wave a little longer." Ca
Ms. Foster's captivating gaze narrowed at Walter's words, her tone icy. "Who did you think I was?"He had burst in with erratic steps and an urgent voice, a far cry from his usual poise.Ms. Foster felt a flutter of curiosity, waiting in silence for his reply.Walter, finally composed, eyed the woman before him with suspicion. Finding no giveaway, he answered with a chill, "It's nothing, just a case of mistaken identity..."Her hand clenched beneath the table.A case of mistaken identity?Fine, just fine!She had expected nothing less than disdain from that man.Ms. Foster's anger rose, but her smile was alluring. Her eyes, however, betrayed a deep chill.She gave him a frosty look. "Next time, Mr. Walter Gordon, make sure you take a good look before you bother someone. It's quite rude, don't you think?"Walter was momentarily lost for words, caught off-guard by her rebuke."You know who I am?" he asked, a crease forming between his brows, picking up on the inconsistency.M
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,
Just then…"No, you really do need to."The guy was dead serious, a determined glint in his ocean-blue eyes.Walter was lost for words, about to retort, when the guy went on, "I didn't come to fetch Julia without bringing something big to the table."He gave Walter a knowing look and a smug smile, like he was sure Walter would not turn him down."I'm offering the diamond mines of Southern Crownlands in exchange for Julia. Sounds like a sweet deal for you, Mr. Walter Gordon, right?"Walter's brow creased as he weighed the likelihood of that guy having any say over the diamond mines.Those mines were a big deal for the Bennison family, yet this guy was talking like it was a walk in the park, not something to be taken lightly."Do you even realize what you're suggesting?"Walter needed to make sure, but he kept the conversation going smoothly. "The diamond mines in Southern Crownlands are a big deal for the Bennison family, aren't they? Are you sure you're the one who can make th
"I don't want to see anyone, I'm not in the mood!" Walter snapped back without hesitation.Julia had pushed him to his limits, and he had no desire to talk to anyone else.The bodyguard persisted, "But sir, he claims he's here to take Ms. Julia Rearden with him. He insists he won't leave without seeing her."A rescuer for Julia?After her parents were gunned down, the only one left to shield her was probably the mysterious powerhouse backing her.The Bennison family!A spark of interest flickered in Walter's eyes. He composed himself and then commanded, "Show him in."With Julia under his control, there was no rush to leave. If that stranger had the guts to show up, he must believe he could take Julia from Walter's grasp.Well, Walter was eager to see just how much that person was willing to sacrifice to save her.The room was in disarray thanks to Julia's earlier struggle, but luckily, the living room was still spotless.Walter settled onto the sofa, waiting for his distingu
Was she not just using Evangeline's name?All she wanted was his love. How could that be wrong?However, the guy standing in front of her had no problem playing a game of life or death with her!Julia could not help it, she burst into wild laughter on the ground. Pushing herself up on shaky arms, she managed to sit up while Walter watched, his body shaking with anger."Julia, come clean now, and I swear you'll make it out of this alive," Walter threatened, his voice a low growl.He was not sure he could keep his composure if Julia kept up her stubborn act. Would he be able to let her off the hook again if that happened another time?However, Julia was not scared.Staring down Walter, who looked like he could breathe fire, she knew that being caught by him was a fate worse than death. So why play into his hands?"Tell me, Walter. Why don't you love me?" she challenged him.Julia knew she had put in as much effort as Evangeline ever did, so why had she not ever captured Walter's
When Walter made it clear he intended to make Julia his bride, Trey, defying everyone's expectations, managed to get Evangeline hitched to the Gordons.Just like that, Julia's dreams of marrying into high society crumbled to dust…Snapping back from her reverie, Julia locked eyes with Walter, his gaze dark with barely concealed anger."Julia, even now, you won't come clean, will you? Let it go."Walter sighed. He knew Julia was all too familiar with weaving tales of fiction, and offering her a chance to save face might not even appeal to her. Why go to the trouble?"You went into such detail about my rescue back then. You must know who my savior was, right? I'm not interested in digging up the past. I just want to know, who was it that saved me?"For years, Walter had been thanking the wrong person, and in doing so, he had hurt the one girl he truly cared about.What a total backfire!Regret swallowed Walter whole, but he knew he could not go easy on Julia. She was a handful, w