Evangeline's eyes briefly touched the medical report before she smoothed it out on the bed, angled for Walter to see.She had just gone through the wringer, enduring a painful procedure to help the doctors with their tests. The results were in, and the thick 30-page report seemed to end too quickly for her liking.The doctor's final verdict, after comparing her new results with the previous ones, was a bombshell that rocked her world.As she glared at Walter, the source of her misery, her heart seethed with hate.If only she were not so drained, she would confront him, demanding to know what he would give for the lives of Cole and their baby.Evangeline knew better than to let her anger take over. She closed her eyes, trapping the fury behind her dark lashes. When she opened them again, Walter had the report in his hands.Roslyn hovered anxiously by Evangeline's hospital bed, her eyes locked on her friend with unwavering intensity.Out of the blue, Evangeline's voice cut through
However, Julia on her own was powerless. What could she do without the shadowy backers who made it a breeze for her to strike at Evangeline's unborn child without anyone catching on? Evangeline was seething with hate.She hated that Walter had let a predator into their lives, hated that she was not strong enough to protect her own baby."Who else could it be but Julia, your devoted girlfriend?" she spat out. "Walter, I've told you over and over, and I've told her too. Why can't you two just leave my child alone?"The miscarriage was tragic, not so much for the physical toll it took on her, but for the tiny life within her that had begun to stir, then never to see the light of day."Evangeline, I... I had no idea..."Evangeline's revelation blindsided Walter.Since Julia's daring escape from that forsaken warehouse, Walter's crew had not caught even a whisper of her whereabouts.As for Julia's motives? He was clueless.Still…"How could I ever harm my own child?""I get it, yo
The rage that Evangeline had been bottling up could not be held back any longer."Get out!"Her shout took Walter by surprise. With a powerful swing, she hurled the pillow from the bed straight at him with all her might."Just go, Walter! I never want to see you or Julia again—ever!"The anguished cry echoed through the hospital room, slipping through the door crack. Roslyn, with Celina trailing behind, did not hesitate—they burst into the room and were met with chaos.Evangeline, in the grip of madness, was throwing anything she could get her hands on at Walter. Papers flew from his hands as he ducked and weaved, scattering across the floor with the glittering shards of broken glass. The room was a disaster zone.Roslyn's heart broke at the sight of Evangeline. Ignoring the risk to her own feet, she dashed to Evangeline's side and wrapped her arms around her. "I'll get him out of here, I'll have the guards take him away! Calm down, Evie, please? You're too weak for this—it's not
At last, with hands shaking, Celina held out the pile of papers to Evangeline. "Ms. Evangeline, did you lose your child because of this?"She desperately hoped it was all a mistake, a wild flight of fancy, or better yet, just a nightmare.However, the reports from after Evangeline's miscarriage… They were different, were they not?Alas, Evangeline's name was there, clear as day on the report. How could it be a lie?Evangeline dabbed at her tears, her gaze filled with confusion as she turned to Celina. "All I did was drink a cup of hot milk, and then... I lost the baby. Celina, is something wrong?"Her intuition screamed that Celina knew something she did not, something earth-shattering."There's definitely something wrong."Celina's gaze fell to the floor, her striking eyes avoiding Evangeline's, not even for a fleeting moment."Ms. Evangeline, I'm so sorry, I never imagined..."Celina's voice broke, and she could not finish her sentence."Celina, you have nothing to do with
Just like that, the pieces of the puzzle clicked into place.Out of the four people there, only Roslyn did not know about the tight-knit connection between Celina and Julia. Walter and Evangeline, on the other hand, knew the score all too well.The nasty drug that cost Evangeline her baby was Celina's own creation, which pretty much confirmed that Julia was the one pulling the strings behind the curtain.Walter, all cozy and lovey-dovey with Julia, could not wash his hands of that mess either."Evie, I'm so, so sorry. I had no clue things would go down like this..."Celina's eyes were a pool of regret, but Evangeline was not having any of it.Sorry was just a word, and no amount of regret over that cursed glass of milk could bring her baby back. What was the point in holding onto that pain and letting it eat her up inside?Evangeline met Celina's gaze, her eyes steady, and gave a slight shake of her head. "Celina, you can't pin this on yourself."You did your part in cooking up
If Walter decided to 'repay' her for the favor, using it as an excuse to stick around, Evangeline would be out of options. So, she went all in on the denial.Besides, Walter had been out cold when she saved him, catching only a glimpse of a shadowy figure. He could not tell who was who, or he would not have been fooled by Julia for so long."I see..." Walter's eyes lost their sparkle as he walked out of the hospital, his spirit deflated.…Walter in his usual booth at Kronovia Royale Pub, watching the stage where singers belted out tunes with fiery passion.The music was so loud, Walter felt like his soul was lifting right out of his body.Yeah, he had always been kind of adrift. He could not even remember how he had ended up at the bar on that night.Caden rushed over after getting Walter's call. He was hesitant at first, but one look at Walter's pale face and all he felt was worry."Walter, what's got you down?"Walter's face was a rough map of stubble, his eyes dull and emp
Given Walter's family background, it was more likely he would grow up spoiled and pampered.However, Walter, with all his dough, never strutted around with that typical rich-kid swagger."What are you even saying?" Walter dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "I'm asking for your honest opinion, not for flattery! And from what angle are you judging? As my employee?"No way, man. You have to judge me as a dude, give it to me straight!"The word 'dude' coming from Walter had Caden smelling drama.From what he knew, when a guy started doubting his manhood, it usually meant his pride had taken a serious hit."Uh... you're not feeling your best?"Caden gave Walter the once-over. Walter was in his prime and always kept in shape. Something did not add up.As Caden tried to figure it out, Walter shot him a death glare that screamed he had had enough of Caden's guesses."Caden, do you even hear yourself?"Walter Gordon, the pride of the Gordon family, was in the prime of his life—top
"Caden, about Evangeline's baby... it's gone," said Walter.They had not gone through with the divorce mainly because Evangeline did not want to stress out Cole.However, Cole was gone, and the miscarriage of the baby that had been keeping them together meant that he and Evangeline were really about to go their separate ways."What?" Caden nearly choked on his wine. "When did this happen? How come I'm the last to know?"Walter shot him a look that could freeze fire. "You think you'd be in the loop on something the Fosters wanted to keep hush-hush? Yeah, the baby's gone."Walter was heartbroken, not just over Evangeline's icy, distant look, but even more for the child he would never get to meet…"Come on, Walter, let's just drink." Caden's hand, with its sharply defined knuckles, lifted a tall wine glass and clinked it against another. He tipped his head back and emptied it in one swift motion."Alright, if it's a drinking challenge you want, you've got it!"Caden was all in—but
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,