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
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