"Ah, just ignore what I said, okay?"Evangeline quickly steered the conversation elsewhere. "What if... we go check on Celina downstairs? Or we could increase the security in the old house. I mean, if David decides to go all out and break into this house, we'd be sitting ducks, right?"While Evangeline rambled on, Roslyn's voice floated over, almost like she was talking to herself, "How do you know... I haven't already done whatever it takes?"Her voice was a whisper, barely audible except for the questioning lilt at the end.Looking back at her best friend, Evangeline saw only the heavy sadness etched on Roslyn's face.Roslyn was head over heels for Yale, and with her fiery spirit, there was no way she had not tried her best.'Maybe it's just not in the cards,' she thought.Roslyn quickly looked away, locking away her sadness."That's why I can't stand watching David be so spineless with Celina. Liking someone means going all in, right? It's not like there's no emotion involve
It was Celina's way of saying 'If you've got something to say, come in and say it.'Roslyn could not hide the smug look in her eyes. 'See, I knew it. She's got a thing for David. My ace in the hole wouldn't have worked on Celina otherwise,' mused Roslyn.The door shut, leaving just Celina and Roslyn in the room.Roslyn, about to speak, felt a twinge of embarrassment. As a top-of-the-charts musician and actor from the get-go, it was not easy to swallow her pride."Um... about scaring you, I'm really sorry. Evangeline told me you're scared of bugs, and I went and used them to scare you, which was rude. However, just so you know, the bug was fake and totally clean."Roslyn was not Celina's biggest fan, but she had to play nice for Evangeline's sake, resorting to petty tricks to teach Celina a so-called lesson.Who would have guessed she had accidentally hit the jackpot with a simple, clever move?Evangeline knew her biggest fear?A flicker of shock crossed Celina's eyes before she
The day, full of thrills and excitement, ended with the three so-called sisters making amends.However, as night fell on the old Foster family house, the end of the day did not mean the end of the excitement.Under the glow of the full moon, a lanky figure emerged at the house's gate. He did not bother with the doorbell, instead veering right.The Fosters' yard was encircled by a towering wall, save for one section that was curiously lower.The man stopped there, deftly produced a rope, and tied it to a grappling hook with a practiced hand before tossing it over the wall.The hook snagged something solid, and after a quick test of the knot, he began his ascent.It was David, the midnight wall-scaler.Taking a page from Roslyn's playbook, David knew that if he wanted to win love, he would have to do everything he could. Since walking through the front door of the Foster family's old house in broad daylight was a no-go, he had to go with... that plain and simple plan.Whether or
Well… had he been busted?Just then, David felt a kick on his shoulder."Mr. Zimmer, what's with the late-night wall climbing at the Fosters'? You're not out here doing midnight workouts, are you?"David did not need to open his eyes to know who was talking. That laid-back, almost sloppy tone could only belong to one person."Did you hit me, Roslyn?"He could not imagine Evangeline, ever the proper lady, wielding a stick. Celina, his own girlfriend, would never treat him so roughly.Of the three, only Roslyn, with her fiery temper, seemed capable of such an act.However, David's guess left Celina feeling guilty. She saw Roslyn gearing up to argue and quickly grabbed her hand, shaking her head frantically.Roslyn's mouth was already open to protest, but Celina's gesture made her change her tune on the spot."Yeah, I hit you. What of it? You can sneak around at night, but I can't stand in my own kitchen and nab a troublemaker?"Nice one.Evangeline silently cheered Roslyn on w
David's words were so firm that even Evangeline was touched.If only Walter would say something like that to her…Without realizing it, she squeezed Celina's hand a little tighter.Celina, mistaking Evangeline's gesture for impatience, instinctively stepped back.It was not that she hated David or held any deep grudge. It was just that the memories were too clear, too present. She was scared to her core of being hurt by him again. The agony she had felt once was more than enough for a lifetime…Roslyn was not done talking."You think Celina would marry you without even a proper proposal? Dream on!"What's more, what will you do with Celina after you marry her? You, who only ever thinks about work? Are you going to hurt her again like you did before?"Roslyn could tell from Celina's ghost-white face that something terrible had happened between her and David. She was only guessing, but her words hit the nail on the head.Then…"I swear, I will never let Celina suffer like that
Frankly, David sneaking into the Foster family's old house was like winning the lottery. Pulling any stunts under Evangeline's watchful eye, the Foster family's darling, was basically asking for a one-way ticket to the afterlife!However, Celina was not even listening to his plea for freedom. She merely ordered frostily, "Stay still."Those two words hit David like a freeze ray, and he was so scared to move. He might as well have been turned to stone.Celina then sat next to David's head, gently cradling it in her hands, careful not to touch the gash on the back of his head, and rested it on her lap.The sharp smell of alcohol filled the air.Her voice, stiff as a board, reached his ears, "No Iodophor, just alcohol. It'll have to do."Before David could even get a word out, a searing pain shot through his wound."Ahh!" The pain blindsided him, and he winced.Celina noticed his agony right away.She stopped disinfecting the cut and looked at him worriedly, "Hey, are you okay? C
The moment David's declaration hung in the air, Celina's eyes widened in shock. She stared at him in disbelief."Do you even hear yourself?"The words slipped out before she could stop them.However, she could not help it. She had heard lines like that before, but that was the first time they felt real, the first time someone had chosen her so resolutely."I know exactly what I'm saying." David's words felt like a final verdict, plunging Celina into an abyss.In that pitch-black moment, arms reached out, pulling her into a tight embrace.It took her a moment to realize she was actually in David's arms."Weren't you tied up?"David glanced at the ropes littering the floor and gave a roguish grin. "Even knots have their ways of coming undone, you know?"Celina, can we just not overthink things for once?"He pulled her in closer, her head resting against his chest once more.He would not tell Celina that Roslyn had left him a little escape trick—a slip knot that came loose with
Celina decided that she wanted to give the best part of herself to the guy she was crazy about.As for the rest? She could not care less.David caught her wandering hand in his. "Celina, do you realize what you're doing?" he asked, his voice low and serious. He was into Celina, and his body was more than ready. Just a little nudge, and he would be over the edge.Celina pulled away, her hand caressing his cheek as she stood up. Their eyes locked, and she whispered seductively, "I know exactly what I'm doing."If they could not be husband and wife, being his girl would be pretty great too.The cozy pink glow from the living room trailed into Celina's bedroom.Upstairs, Evangeline and Roslyn had been peeking from the second floor and caught the whole show. Before things got too raunchy, they blushed, covered their eyes, and ran back to their rooms."Wow, did I just see that? David's got that tough-guy vibe down pat. No shocker Celina's got a crush on him."Roslyn replayed the scen
Celina noticed that Evangeline was about to leave and asked with concern,"Are you going out, miss?"Evangeline nodded while picking up her bag, not understanding why Celina's brows were furrowed.Before she could ask, Celina continued, "The Gordon family is in turmoil recently, and with your relationship with Walter… it might be best if you don't go out and attract attention."Evangeline could easily understand the meaning behind Celina's words. The Gordon family was in a crisis, and she had poured more fuel on the fire at a critical moment, practically throwing herself into the whirlpool of public opinion. If she went out, it was highly likely that paparazzi and reporters would follow her, and the consequences could be unimaginable."I'm sorry, but I still need to go."Evangeline's worry for Trey had reached its peak. Facing Celina's concerned expression, she reassured her, "Don't worry, I'll be careful. If necessary, I'll bring a few more bodyguards."Celina knew she could not
Some people also said that Walter had pushed out Alex. Gordon Group was going through a period of turmoil, suffering from investment failures, compounded by The Bennex Corporation's reckless and aggressive maneuvers, which were essentially pushing the company to the brink of collapse.The only way for Walter to temporarily calm the storm and give the company a chance to regroup was to push Alex out and take the blame for everything.As the news spread, its impact grew larger, and some even dared to publicly tag Gordon Group's official social media account. It was expected that Gordon Group would follow their usual approach of not responding and turning a blind eye.To everyone's surprise, the company issued an official statement within 10 minutes.The news that Mr. Alex Gordon had been incarcerated was true, but the specific reasons would need to wait for the police's verdict.This brief announcement confirmed the speculations of social media users.However, Gordon Group was not
Evangeline listened to Thomas's lament and felt a wave of sadness in her heart.However, there were too many such people and stories in Avalon City, and she could not sympathize with all of them.Besides, Carl had done many bad things while working for Alex. How could she pity him?"Is there nothing else? No more information? Those who are pitiful must have their faults."Evangeline was not someone whose sympathy overflowed, nor did she want to connect with this situation."My men discovered that Carl has been wandering around Avalon City recently. His whereabouts are completely uncertain, and we've been unable to track him down or know where to start looking."Thomas fell silent for a moment, and Evangeline could only hear the sound of a mouse clicking.After some time, he added warily, "Carl is probably looking for his family."Before Alex was arrested, Carl secretly returned home one night. What exactly happened is unclear, but the next day, his family was taken away. And the
Perhaps going out for a walk with Celina to clear her mind would help her regain her composure.To her surprise, Celina declined Evangeline's suggestion and said, "No, I want to go on a stroll alone.Seeing the sadness in Celina's eyes, Evangeline did not know what to say."Ms. Evangeline, I'm just feeling down for no reason. You don't need to worry about me. Maybe it's because… I've been too idle."In the past, Celina always had various tasks, but after returning to the Foster family, there were no more tasks, no work, and her sole focus was on David.All of a sudden, Zhang Tao recovered and no longer needed her.She needed some quiet time to rediscover her own value. Otherwise, she would only live in confusion and self-doubt.Evangeline did not insist. Adults need time for themselves, after all. She could not take away the time for solitude that Celina needed just because they had a good relationship."Then… be careful."Evangeline patted Celina's shoulder and watched her le
Evangeline's brow furrowed. This situation was indeed tricky."Why is Carl Fowler still running around outside on his own when his boss has been exposed? If I were him, with Alex arrested, I'd rush back to Southern Crownlands immediately. Even if I couldn't return here, I'd send the message to the Bennison family as quickly as possible."Instead, he's been wandering around Avalon City!"Evangeline's speculation was not without merit. After all, if Carl had sent news of Alex's arrest back to Southern Crownlands, the Bennison family would have taken action. They would not be unaware, like they were at this moment where they've fallen for Walter's smokescreen and did not even realize it.David stroked his chin thoughtfully. "There's definitely something else going on here, and we just haven't figured it out yet. Is Carl wandering around because he's looking for something—or someone?"Having been by Alex's side, he naturally understood the dangers around him.Avalon City was especiall
"Insufficient evidence!"Evangeline and David seemed to be perfectly in sync. David looked at Evangeline with admiration."You truly are incredible, ma'am. Your analytical skills are simply amazing!""You don't need to flatter me. Since you led me to this conclusion, you must have a solution, right?"Gordon Group never kept idle people, and Walter was a perfectionist when it came to hiring. Therefore, the fact that David had worked under Walter for so many years was enough to prove his capabilities.Realizing he had been seen through, David awkwardly scratched his head. "I do have a plan, but it's still a bit underdeveloped, and I don't know if it will help Mr. Gordon."Since he was not sure, he did not dare to bring it up to Walter, only discussing it behind his back with Evangeline."Come on, tell me. Maybe it'll help."If the evidence Walter had was not enough, Gordon Group would remain in turmoil. Trey Gordon was still in the hospital recovering, and the situation at Gordon
David and Celina had lived in Southern Crownlands for a while, so they knew where the Bennison family's base was located. What Evangeline was concerned about, however, was the enormous amount of information carried by this statement."Do you know where Walter got this phone number from?"Whoever used this number would prove to be connected to the Bennison family.If the key person behind the scandal involving Gordon Group could be traced, the company's troubles would be resolved in an instant.David shook his head. "Mr. Gordon only instructed me to investigate this phone number. He didn't say where it came from."Ma'am, the president is holding up Gordon Group on his own. Don't you think we can do something too? Like, helping him catch the key person?"David's tone was uncertain, but his eyes flashed with a sly glint.Evangeline knew he had already devised an idea before speaking to her. She leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, and glanced at him sideways. "Speak up, what's yo
"But you know David didn't do anything wrong, right?"If he had, then Celina would not have said she was waiting for him to finish his task. Instead, she would have barged into the study and confronted him immediately.Celina lowered her gaze. "Yes, I know."Both of them were workaholics, and once there was work to be done, they would not care about anything else. So, Celina understood David's feelings very well. That being said, she did not want him to neglect her."I just hate his boss. If it weren't for him giving David some task, he wouldn't be like this."Walter is such a heartless boss. My David is still seriously injured, yet he gave him such an important task. It's practically exploitation!"Just when David could barely move around again, he started working like a dog for Walter!Evangeline did not care about any of the exploitation talk. Her attention was solely on one thing, and that was…"What task did Walter assign to David?"Evangeline's intuition told her that th
After all, if The Bennex Corporation knew about it, it would mean there was an insider in Gordon Group who was working for the Bennison family. At that point, it would trigger another internal purge.Walter finally regained his focus, and the entire Gordon Group was filled with a sense of harmony and renewed vigor. Even the department head of the Operations Department, who had been tortured by stress for days, looked relieved. He knew that the time for their president to strike back had finally arrived!The intense applause from the employees expressed their excitement.Walter felt unexpectedly touched. After all, if the employees did not have any sense of belonging to Gordon Group, they would not have been moved by his sudden actions.Some even shed tears.Evangeline also had not expected that the moment of action would come so soon. She really had waited for Walter to strike back.Apart from this, what surprised her was that David had mysteriously gotten busy. Even Celina, who