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
Walter was fuming when suddenly, he got a text from the villa's butler.[Madam's back.]That brief message made him scowl. What was she up to all the time?He fired up the car, and it zoomed off like a shot, his every move seething with anger.When Walter got back to the villa, the butler said Evangeline had retired to her room. He did not hesitate and bolted up to the second-floor bedroom."Evangeline, get out here!"Evangeline was calmly organizing her desk. She paused when she heard the commotion, but she then resumed her task, blatantly ignoring Walter.Walter burst through the bedroom door, his sharp eyes zeroing in on Evangeline.That same white dress, that familiar silhouette.The way that woman had smiled and frowned in the private room earlier that day was flashing before Walter's eyes, and he could not help but compare her to Evangeline.Evangeline shot him a look. "What's your problem? If it's nothing, leave. I need to shower!"Walter's lips tightened, and he took
Back when Evangeline had devoted her heart to him, Walter had not cared much. However, seeing her dismiss him so casually, he felt an unexpected urge to win her over.Walter settled himself on a couch, deciding not to leave just yet.The bathroom door was steamed up, yet through the haze, the outline of a woman's alluring figure was still visible.Walter felt an unexpected tightness in his throat, and his gaze grew shadowed.He could not deny it; that woman had caught his attention more times than he cared to admit.Restless heat surged within him, and he grabbed a glass of water from nearby, taking a gulp to quell the rising irritation.Evangeline emerged from her bath shortly after, draped in a robe, dabbing at her wet hair. She paused when she saw Walter, still seated like a statue, and her brows knit together in a frown. "Why are you still here?"The man who had once bolted at the slightest hint of her flirtations was shamelessly lingering.Ignoring him, she sat down and st
Evangeline had not guessed Walter was only pretending to sleep. A wave of embarrassment washed over her. She had been about to cover him with a blanket, and he had not been asleep at all!Her well-intended action then felt like a cruel joke.Evangeline snapped, "I was just looking at an animal."Walter narrowed his eyes, taken aback by the woman's biting wit as soon as she opened her mouth. He clicked his tongue and pulled Evangeline close.He was curious to taste her defiant spirit.Their lips met in a deep, unexpected kiss.Surprisingly, her kiss was sweet, a stark contrast to her sharp words.The thought lingered in Walter's mind, compelling him to kiss her more intensely.Evangeline had not seen it coming. Walter's lips had swiftly moved from hers to her neck, leaving a trail of fervent kisses that sent a wave of tension through the air.She snapped back to reality.Why should she let him have his way?She had wanted a child, and he had flatly refused, leaving her humili
Evangeline winced as Aria's piercing voice echoed in her ears, prompting her to reflexively rub them.There were times Evangeline seriously considered getting Aria some throat lozenges to save her voice and her sanity. How did Aria manage to yell like that day in and day out?Evangeline nonchalantly replied, "Sorry to burst your bubble, but that's your son's handiwork. He can be a bit rough, but I can't say I mind it..."Evangeline watched Aria's face twist with fury, her nose nearly bending out of shape.Evangeline had figured it out. Aria just could not stand the thought of her son being affectionate with her."No way! You must've slipped him something, you temptress!" Aria glared at Evangeline as if trying to bore holes into her with her eyes.Deep down, Aria was making plans. She could not let Walter and Evangeline carry on like that. Evangeline was too cunning. If she ever got her way, it would be a disaster!With those thoughts, Aria discreetly pressed the service bell. A
Walter was fuming. "What was she thinking, running off like that? Said she was visiting my mother, but I bet she was out with some guy. Does she want a baby that bad, to the point where any man will do?"His last shred of sanity was gone, and all he could think about was tracking down Evangeline.Over at Crystal Waters House, in a hotel room upstairs, Evangeline lounged back, one leg crossed over the other, eyeing the group of half-naked men before her. "Put some muscle into it!" she snapped. "What, did you skip breakfast or something?"The men, clad only in underwear, knelt on the floor, their faces a mix of fear and anger. With each command from her, they slapped themselves harder, chanting, "I am not human!" It was a small comfort to Evangeline to see them like that.They were Aria's lackeys, sent to strip her and snap some scandalous photos.Evangeline had to laugh internally. As if such a cheap trick could take her down!She already spat out the drugged coffee and then dealt
"Understood!"Amid Walter's frantic preparations to dash downstairs and drive after Evangeline, his phone rang.His subordinate's voice came through, trying to sound light despite the bad news, "Sir, we've lost track of Mrs. Walter Gordon..."Walter's fists tightened, fury bubbling up inside him. "A bunch of useless fools!"Evangeline was in a fragile state, emotionally shattered. Without someone by her side, who knew what might happen? He could not bear to think about it.As he wrestled with his worries, a call came in from his mother, Aria."Walter, you wouldn't believe the racy photo your wife sent today." Aria clucked disapprovingly. "A woman like that, so flighty and flirtatious, just doesn't belong in the Gordon family. You need to kick her out, and fast."Aria was smug, waiting for Walter's agreement. Instead, a frosty voice came through the phone."Mom, cut the act. I know you're behind all this."Aria's heart skipped a beat. Walter's voice had never been so icy. "Walt