Celina was a master at reading people, and she quickly got the bodyguard to reveal his fears.He thought to himself that he had no real connection to the Foster family, who would not hesitate to punish him. However, Celina was different, she was Ms. Evangeline's right hand. The Foster family would likely go easy on her for Evangeline's sake.Why not have an ally to share the blame?Still, he had to set one thing straight."I'll tell you the truth, but you can't let Ms. Evangeline hear about this, okay?"After all, crossing the Foster family or Evangeline was something he could not afford to do.Celina understood where the bodyguard was coming from and gave him a reassuring nod, even giving his shoulder a comforting pat. "Don't worry, since you've spilled the beans to me, we're in this together. If there's trouble, nobody's getting off scot-free. But you know, better safe than sorry. If anything were to happen to Ms. Evangeline, you couldn't handle it alone, could you?"Tell me a
Celina did not wait for the bodyguard to take it. She just slipped it into his pocket."Why are you being so old-fashioned? We've got to play it by ear in situations like this. We can't stop Ms. Evangeline from stepping out, but if the big shots ask and we're clueless about her whereabouts, aren't we in deeper trouble? It might not be the most upright move, but at least we're keeping Ms. Evangeline safe, right?"…In the CEO's office at Gordon Group headquarters.Walter wrapped up his work for the day, his eyes drawn to the invitation on the corner of his desk. The red with gold lettering was impossible to miss.Somehow, Julia's actions had escaped his grip, and she kept pulling stunts that surprised him.The letter was an example. While his people were out there turning over every stone for her, she had the nerve to send an invite right to his doorstep!Well, that worked out. It meant he could stop the wild goose chase.However, he was not about to let Julia keep playing hooky
"Draft up a number that makes sense and shoot it over to me, pronto."Walter was quick to decide, but he did not skip on giving a reason."We've been sitting on this diamond mine deal for ages. If we let it drag out any longer, we'll have sunk too much into it to ever make a decent profit."After all, snagging this deal meant breaking into the jewelry design market, a venture that would cost a pretty penny in the early days."Got it. I'll hustle on my end," replied David, nodding. As the meeting wrapped up, David lingered on the line, something clearly weighing on his mind."Uh... Mr. Walter Gordon, I've got a question..."Walter, already clued into what was coming, did not beat around the bush. "Celina is sticking close to Evangeline, so she's in good hands. However, that's as far as my help goes."Walter recalled when he had tried to smooth things over for David with Celina. She was a tough nut to crack, not even wanting to hear him out. His hands were tied."Understood, unde
The door clicked shut, and Walter was left alone in the suddenly spacious private room.Julia was still a no-show. Walter, without a second thought, reached for the cocktail on the table.Julia could not escape even if she tried. What was there to worry about?It was just a cocktail. Walter could hold his liquor—how bad could it be?He did not gulp it down right away but instead took a moment to inhale the cocktail's refreshing fruity aroma.He had to hand it to the Kronovia Royale Pub's bartender—they knew how to mix a drink with a kick.Without overthinking, Walter took a tentative sip.The strong alcohol vaporized, enhancing the fruit's sweet fragrance to the max, a sensation that hit his taste buds with a delightful punch.Walter could not help but take a generous swig.The drink warmed him from the inside, leaving a subtle sweetness lingering on his lips.Suddenly, the room spun, and a wave of dizziness washed over him, slowly dragging his consciousness under.Through t
She had all the time in the world—no rush.Her fingers danced lightly over Walter's face, boldly tapping his nose.Julia's chuckle floated through the air. "If I don't tie you up, you might bolt. I can't have a repeat of last time, Walt."She was not about to let her prize slip away again.At this point, Julia no longer wanted to talk to Walter. Her focus was then on the waiter still in uniform."Wyatt, you've outdone yourself. Looking for a little bonus?"Wyatt, the boss's right-hand man, never failed to deliver. Whether it was drugging Evangeline or nabbing Walter, he was the man for the job.Julia knew she would better reward him well, or someone with his talents might just walk."Who wouldn't want a reward?" Wyatt's grin was radiant, his eyes locked on Julia, sparkling with unsaid promises."Still, if it's a prize from you, Ms. Rearden, I've got to give it some serious thought."Julia's eyes narrowed just a touch.She was a knockout, with looks that turned heads and a fi
That was the hard truth.Wyatt, standing over Walter, just gave a slight, knowing smile. "Mr. Walter Gordon, being born unwanted is a world of hurt. Did you ever consider if Ms. Evangeline's baby wanted to be part of this world?""You're out of your mind!" Walter was at his breaking point and did not hold back his opinion.Julia chimed in, nodding."You really are crazy! Since when do kids get to decide whether they're born or not?""That's the tragedy of it all," said Wyatt, his voice trailing off as he looked into the distance. "If being born means a life without joy, maybe it's better not to be born at all..."Walter lay there, paralyzed in his bed, straining to hear the echo of Wyatt's sigh fading away.Julia's eyes lingered on Wyatt's stoic face, reading the untold stories behind his unruffled facade. She let out a quiet sigh, just as he snapped out of his reverie. "Ms. Rearden, I've finished the job, so I'm off to get some rest," he said before slipping out the door, which
However, Walter was like a defanged tiger at the moment, and Julia was not scared in the slightest.Seeing his reaction only made her want to laugh more."Aw, did I strike a nerve just by mentioning Evangeline? Did you feel sorry when you sent me off to Northern Montavia, to that brutal place that chews people up and spits them out?"Julia's fingertips trailed down from Walter's chin to rest over his heart. "Walt, you know I've loved you since we were kids. No matter how much you've wronged me, how much you've hurt me, I've never stopped loving you."Out of Walter's line of sight, Julia watched his face with eyes full of wonder and fascination."Let's not bring up the sad stuff, okay?"We've got this whole night to ourselves, thanks to fate. Why don't we make it one to remember?"When she returned to her boss, there was no telling if she would be able to return.Youth did not last forever, and she did not want to live with regrets. That was why she was doing that to Walter.Sa
With those thoughts, Julia's boldness surged.She was no longer content to stand by the bed, merely touching Walter. She was like a predator that had never been satisfied, focused solely on claiming the man before her, on consuming him entirely.Without a second thought, Julia climbed onto the bed and extended her long legs…However, Walter was not one to be underestimated. Even though he was bound, he had quickly adapted and could then control his movements.At that pivotal moment, Walter shifted, and Julia found herself embracing the empty air."Walter, seriously, you're all tied up and still trying to be a hero?" Julia's patience had snapped.She could not believe it. She had the perfect setting, the perfect timing, and not a soul to interrupt, yet she could not get the upper hand over that guy?Her earlier sweetness evaporated in an instant, and she glared at Walter like a predator eyeing its prey, muscles and all."Julia, if you think you can get me to do... that with you,
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,