"Mr. Walter Gordon, Evie isn't into your vibe right now, so back off, will you?"Walter's gaze hardened.Given how things stood between him and Evangeline, Hank, the outsider, should not have had a say, especially not like that. However, Hank had spoken, and Evangeline had not objected.What did that mean? It meant she was okay with it all.So, Evangeline had a thing for Hank after all?First Alex, then Hank.He balled his hands into fists, silently telling himself… Why the heartache? It was never him in the picture.Right in front of Walter, Evangeline slipped her arm through Hank's with a cozy familiarity. "Hank, is our food here yet? I'm starving, let's head back and eat." Evangeline's voice was as soft and sweet as when she first married Walter.Her words lingered in Hank's ears, awakening the deep love he had tucked away in his heart. He smiled fondly and gently patted her hand, saying, "Okay, let's have dinner now."The pair, walking shoulder to shoulder, turned heads. W
Hank's doubts were mostly about his parents, so much so that when they pushed him about getting married, he only gave them a vague answer.Then Cole died, and Evangeline lost the baby.He knew she must be devastated, but selfishly, a part of him was relieved.With the child gone, the last obstacle between him and Evangeline had vanished. Would it not be perfect for them to come together and for Evangeline to have their own kids someday?Hank was sure he could handle his parents' reaction to Evangeline's divorce. That was one less thing for her to fret about.He also knew springing the 'let's be together' talk on Evangeline out of the blue might send her running for the hills. So, he figured they would have to take things slow."So, Evie, what's up? What are you doing at home these days?" he asked casually.Evangeline thought about the overbearing housekeepers and her own life, and she smirked wryly. "What do you think? Living luxuriously, just eating and drinking and taking care
Their banter flowed easily, the air between them charged with warmth and excitement.Meanwhile, Walter sat in another room, his business deal done but his heart aching with loneliness.All he could picture was Evangeline, cozy and close with Hank.It was just like he had figured: Cole was gone, the divorce was final, and there was Evangeline, off to find her slice of happiness, leaving him alone with nothing but their old wedding photo and a heart full of what-ifs.Walter could only sigh, feeling the relentless grip of loneliness that haunted him day and night. What else was there to do?The networking event was over, and Walter said goodbye to the female executive before driving off from Morning Star Hotel alone.A true workaholic, Walter hardly ever ducked out of work early. However, he had zero desire to head to the office.…Crystal Waters House.His black Rolls Royce zoomed by, stopping right in the middle of the courtyard.Walter eased the car door open, unfolded his lo
The last thing Walter wanted was a call from James.James, a star lawyer, had only one reason to call himself: to put an end to his and Evangeline's marriage. He was not about to let Walter play dumb."Mr. Walter, let's skip the small talk," said James, preferring to keep things strictly business.At the office, he was just James, and he was not fond of Walter's attempts to be friendly.However, considering the bombshell he was about to drop, James figured it was not worth getting worked up over Walter."I'm calling to let you know that Ms. Evangeline has given me full control over the divorce. I'll be your point of contact for anything related to it. I've sent the divorce terms to your company by courier, so keep an eye out," James informed him."Got it," Walter replied, resigned.He knew that was coming. Evangeline had made it clear that waiting for a mutual divorce would take ages, and suing was the faster route. What more was there to say?"Once you get the mail, you've got
James set his phone aside and, as if they were the only two people in the world, explained to Evangeline, "Just some newbie at the firm, a legal assistant who can't seem to get even the simplest things right. It's driving me up the wall, honestly."Evangeline had caught wind of that new assistant, and she was puzzled.James was practically a legend in the legal field, and he was fussing over a bumbling assistant?If their performance was not up to the required standard, would it not be easier to just let them go? Why was James spending his precious time, painstakingly coaching them on their job?Unless…A mischievous idea popped into Evangeline's head. With a sly grin, she softened her gaze at James. "What's so bad about being a bit clueless? It's endearing, isn't it?"With a look that was both inquisitive and loaded with implication, Evangeline asked in a tone rich with suggestion, "Uncle James, can I ask if this bumbling legal assistant is a guy or a girl?"They were standing
A spark of determination lit up Julia's eyes.She could not just stand by and watch those two fall in love. This was her opportunity to orchestrate a little drama for them…Just then, the bodyguard knocked and came in with permission. "Ms. Rearden, have you picked a flight yet? The boss's people are asking."Julia, already annoyed from her run-in with Walter, sat up on the couch and flung a pillow out in frustration. "Why the rush? I said I'd go back in a week, didn't I? When have I ever broken a promise?"Julia was already feeling frustrated because of her issues with Walter, and the bodyguard came in with even more irritating news!The bodyguard hesitated, then said with a resigned tone, "If you're still undecided, I'll let the boss know."Nobody else could decide when Julia would head back—that was up to her. Even the boss had to respect Julia's wishes."No, that won't be necessary."Julia knew that if she tried to bow out again, the phone would ring with another nudge from
"Oh, and make sure Walter comes alone. If he brings a posse, he might not get the chance to see me."Julia was not about to let any randoms mess up her master plan. Walter was hers for the taking.…"Achoo!" Walter, buried in paperwork, sneezed so hard that his spine tingled. He shivered, a sure sign spring was playing tricks with the weather.He glanced out at the street, then touched with hints of green, but his thoughts were all on Evangeline.Walter counted the days, wondering how Evangeline was doing. The last time he saw her, her lips were ghostly pale, a clear sign she was far from strong. Should he not swing by the Foster place to check on Evangeline?Then there was Julia.He had just gotten an invite from her, delivered by one of her minions. Julia, that wild card, wanted to meet him at Kronovia Royale Pub—alone.That was just fine by him. He had a burning question from the past that only Julia could answer.Ever since he found out Julia was not the one who saved hi
Evangeline flashed a 'come-and-see' smile. "Go ahead and look, I'm an open book!"She was always a straight shooter with her friends.Except for that tiny bear keychain tucked away at Amberstream Riverbank, she had locked away all her secrets in her hideout. So, Celina had nothing to sneak around for.Celina flipped open the invite and her eyes instantly landed on two names she knew all too well."Julia, Walter..." She whispered under her breath, then her gaze swiftly shifted to Evangeline. "Ms. Evangeline, this invite... you're not actually thinking of going, are you?"It was clear to Celina what the invite was all about, and she was just worried about Evangeline.Evangeline's name was not on the invite, which screamed that showing up would be social suicide.She was sure Evangeline could read between the lines too.However, seeing Walter's name on the guest list threw her off a bit. Everyone knew Evangeline's heart skipped a beat for Walter."No way." Evangeline took a swig
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,