"Celina, you can't mean that, can you?"David grabbed Celina's hand. "Just yesterday... you were mine, all of you. You gave me something so special. How could you not love me, not want to be with me forever?"His voice was charged with emotion, and he held onto Celina's shoulders, his questions pouring out.However, Celina merely smiled nonchalantly. "David, come on, how old are you? It's no big deal; men and women hook up all the time. I'm nearly thirty, and I just wanted to know what all the fuss was about."You were there, a nice guy with skills, so I thought, why not? But let's get real, it was just a fling. You can't seriously think it was more..."With that, Celina gently lifted her hand to David's, which was still on her shoulder. With a firm push, his hand fell away, as if it had lost all its strength."No, Celina, that's not what you said last night. You told me you loved me, that you really loved me..."Celina burst out laughing. "Seriously, David, who's the guy here?
Was it not natural for two people who cared for each other to marry?From what Celina had said, she clearly did not dislike David. It was just the idea of marriage…"David, does Celina have some bad experiences with family stuff, which makes her hesitant about getting married?"In my opinion, you jumped the gun. Talking about marriage so soon after getting together can be overwhelming."Evangeline was always going to have Celina's back. That was just who she was.After her own marriage to Walter, she understood all too well how different being married was from just dating.If two people were not completely ready, it was better not to rush into anything. Otherwise, they might end up wasting their best years and miss out on true happiness.David cast his eyes to the floor, his voice filled with disbelief. "Is it me? Did I get it wrong? I thought marrying her was the right thing to do."He was questioning everything at this point: his abilities, his looks, or maybe his charm as a
Evangeline did not realize how much seeing the old butler would stress her out.She had finally gotten rid of a headache, and then she had to spin tales to keep her loyal, hardworking butler in the dark.As she wrestled with that problem, the villa's door burst open. Yale marched in with purpose.Spotting Evangeline on the couch, he went straight to her. "Evie, did you catch the person who broke into the old house last night? I couldn't find anything on the security feeds."That oversight was massive. If anything happened to Evangeline because of it, how could he face his father and his sister who had passed away?"We caught him, but..."Evangeline's mind lingered on David, who had just slipped out the door. She pointed feebly outside and said, "He's gone again, Uncle Yale. Didn't you see him leave?"Yale looked at her confused, trying to grasp what she meant. "Gone again? What's going on?"The family's old butler caught on quickly. "Ms. Evangeline, Mr. Yale Foster, are you two
"Uncle Yale, there's no going back for Walter and me, that's for sure. And about David… This time, he's not here for me."For a split second, she dared to hope that David was her and Walter's middle-man. However, the sting of old wounds reminded her there was not much to hope for.Maybe it was best to just let the dust settle."You've probably heard about David and Celina's drama. He just showed up to say sorry to her. And yeah, there is a problem with our old house's security."David went old school, using just a rope and a grappling hook to scale the high walls of the old house, then he made a straight shot for it, getting in through the kitchen. I wonder if our Foster Group's security team is so focused on cybercrime that they're missing the simple stuff."Technology was great and all, but sometimes the old ways were the best ways. Brute force could still get the job done.That oversight was a huge blind spot for the Foster Group's security—a deadly one, even.Evangeline's wo
Even though Celina insisted on calling herself Ms. Evangeline in front of Julieta, Evangeline's feelings toward Celina had never wavered.She did not even let Celina have the chance to object as she said gently, "Open the door, let's talk this out."If Celina could cry over that, it meant she was not indifferent to David. That meant her turning down David's proposal had to be for some other reason.As Celina's big sister, Evangeline was determined to find out what it was.The door swung open, and Evangeline stepped in without a second thought, taking Celina's hand and sitting beside her on the bed, "Celina, why did you turn David down?"Evangeline's heart ached as she looked into those tear-swollen eyes."Because..." Celina lifted her hand to dry her tears. "Ms. Evangeline, I know you've been nothing but good to me, but I... I need to go back.""Go back? Back where?"Evangeline had thought of countless possibilities, but that answer caught her off guard.Celina had her secrets
"Please, Mr. Walter Gordon, don't make me take time off! I'll get my act together, I promise," David said, his voice full of determination.He was desperate for Walter to pile on more work so he could drown in it and forget all about his troubles with Celina."But can you really snap out of it just like that?" Walter gestured to the chaos on the desk and added, "Don't push yourself too hard. If you're not up to it, just take the time to rest...""Thanks, Mr. Walter Gordon, I mean it... but I'm fine. If you want me to recover fast, then please don't send me away," David pleaded, his voice cracking with emotion, and by the end, his eyes had started to well up.Walter sensed trouble the moment he saw David's face. "Is everything okay with you?"He thought about the recent drama surrounding David and had a hunch. "You've been to see Celina, haven't you?"Walter had a knack for reading people, and he had guessed right on the money about what was eating David up.However, David was we
Evangeline was half-right.Walter had indeed taken the call without David's okay, but he had not snatched the phone. "What's up?" Walter was not in the mood for a debate with Evangeline. Her tone made it clear that David would not share his personal business with her. He was getting ahead of himself."It's nothing much," Evangeline hesitated, "Celina... She's looking to get away for a while and clear her head with a trip. If he wants to say goodbye, he should swing by the airport before nine tomorrow morning."Evangeline wanted to be honest, but with Walter in the picture, things got complicated. Walter had other intentions toward Celina and Evangeline needed to keep him out of the way. So, she made it sound like she and Celina were joined at the hip, hoping that would make Walter think twice about messing with David and Celina's bittersweet farewell.After laying out her plan, Evangeline added a little extra just to be safe."Look, Celina didn't want me to tell David, but they're
Walter remembered Evangeline's hushed instructions and tacked on another line."Oh, and she said to keep it on the down-low. When you get to the airport, don't make a big deal out of it. Act like you just bumped into each other, okay?"Normally, dropping Celina off at the airport was no biggie for someone like him. However, Evangeline had gone out of her way to make sure he got that message.That could only mean one thing: Celina was heading out solo this time.So, if Celina was splitting from the Fosters, where to?Her roots... her real home.The Bennisons' place!If his hunch was right, and Celina was actually going back to the Bennisons, was she not walking into a trap?No way, he could not let that happen. He had to keep her from leaving Avalon City. If he could not stop her, he would be right there with her, heading back to face whatever was waiting.Walter noticed the serious look on David's face and could not make heads or tails of what he was thinking. Then, out of the
After that mess, Cole's wife blamed herself for everything and was drowning in guilt.Cole could not stand to see her cry day in, day out. So, he did something big: he went to an orphanage and came back with five kids.They were not his flesh and blood, but Cole raised them with all he had, a no-nonsense dad through and through. His wife? She poured her heart into those kids, loving them like they were her own.Maybe it was their good hearts that did it, but somehow, they got their miracle. Thanks to the wonders of in-vitro fertilization, they got a second chance at parenthood.That was how Yessica came into the world.After Yessica arrived, a tiny, squishy bundle of joy, she became the center of the Foster family's universe.Yessica was the only child born to Cole, and the baby Evangeline was carrying was the last hope for the Foster family's lineage.Cole's world shattered when Evangeline lost the baby, and he passed away, overwhelmed by sorrow.Others might have accused Cole
Yale's face twisted into a knot at the thought of Roslyn.As long as she did not rub off on Evangeline, he could pretend not to see whatever else she got up to."What's the big deal?"Holden shrugged. "Did you forget? When Evie wanted to shack up solo in the 'Emerald of the Highlands' mansion, didn't we hook her up with Julieta for some round-the-clock company? She was none the wiser!"And I've got just the person in mind to hang with Evie—what about... Hank?"Holden leaned in, a mischievous glint in his eye."Don't even try to tell me you're not itching to keep that golden goose for the company! Sure, the kid's got skills, but him working his tail off for the Foster Group without any official title or clear role? That's a ticking time bomb."Why not play matchmaker with him and Evie? If sparks fly and Hank becomes part of the Foster family by marrying her, we could hand over the whole shebang with peace of mind, right?"He was talking a mile a minute, his excitement growing wi
Yale had put his job on hold for the sake of the Foster family, and the higher-ups were not exactly thrilled about it.Anyone else would have raced back to work by then.However, with Evangeline's miscarriage and Cole's death, not to mention the constant threats of assassination and kidnapping, Yale was too worried about Evangeline's safety to leave.He was not about to let Holden pin that kind of rap on him.Holden realized he had crossed a line and quickly switched gears. "Okay, okay, so I've got a big mouth and I blabbed. You're the big brother, aren't you going to let it slide?"Just then, something dawned on Holden. "Hey, you've been home for ages now. What about your job... is everything okay there?"As he spoke, Holden kicked himself for being so clueless. He had only just thought about his elder brother's job situation.Yale held a top position in the north and could not leave a job like that unattended for long.Holden knew that Yale must be going through tough times o
What baffled Walter was who could have convinced Trey to agree to such a thing.After all, Alex was a natural at business. Forcing him out of the game was like a fate worse than death!Did someone have a grudge against Alex?Caught up in his thoughts, Walter found himself at the bottom of the stairs.Instinctively looking ahead, he spotted a solitary figure in the garden through the villa's large windows.The chill of early spring lingered in the air.Alex was out there, dressed in a light camel hair coat with a blanket over his legs, staring blankly at the garden's faded glory.Walter did not interrupt him. Instead, he stood by the window, silently watching.Alex had always been his brother, and nothing could change that. Despite their different parents and the rivalry over Evangeline, Walter had always seen Alex as a true brother.As he watched the solitary figure outside, Walter wondered what was going through Alex's mind. Was he thinking about when he would return to the c
Trey's expression fell.Walter saw the shift in his grandfather's expression but pressed on anyway."Alex has the skills and the vision. He could make a fortune for Gordon Group. Why are you so hung up on that old promise?"That was something Walter just could not wrap his head around.Before, when it came to Alex, he had only played the bad guy to keep Alex from holding a grudge against Trey.However, truth be told, Walter never really cared who ran Gordon Group. He actually thought it would be better off in Alex's hands, so he could go do his own thing.Trey let out a long, weary sigh. "Walter, you're giving others a leg up and selling yourself short. That's not like you..."His eyes, old and wise, suddenly looked clouded and sad as he gazed at Walter, a touch of sorrow in his gaze."Grandpa, you know me. I'm just being honest."It was easy to see things clearly from the outside, but Walter, even caught up in the middle of it all, managed to stay objective and fair about Ale
The only person who could pull that off was Evangeline.Walter felt his heart plummet.He had spilled the beans right in front of Trey!Dinner at the Gordon family's old house, with one elder and two youngsters, was surprisingly peaceful for once.Trey, though, kept a frosty look the whole time, only cracking a slight smile when he took a sip of his drink.Aria, not wanting to rub Trey the wrong way, nudged Walter to lay on the charm.Somehow, they managed to wrap up dinner without any drama. However, as soon as Trey set down his silverware, his voice dropped an octave."Walter, step into the study with me."That tone sent a shiver down Walter's spine.Family stuff was no secret to Aria and Alex. If they were heading to the study alone, it had to be about business.Trey's icy demeanor at dinner must have been because of the report Walter brought back.Walter braced himself, but facing the music still had him anxious.A sheaf of papers smacked him square in the face. Walter
"As for that, I can't be certain," replied Alex with a nonchalant shrug. "I'll take my time. The right person will come along when it's meant to be."Alex flashed Trey a half-hearted smile, his mind buzzing with a single thought. "So, you turn to me only because Walter's out of the picture?"It did not really bother him, however. As long as he could introduce his future bride to his grandfather without any fuss, that was all that mattered.It was not every day that an elder would be accepting of a woman who married the younger brother before ending up with the older one.However, Trey did not take Alex's relaxed demeanor well and got all worked up."You can't be so laid back about this, man. You're in your thirties, and finding a wife should be top of your list! Tell you what, I'll have some old buddies over soon, maybe we can scout out the perfect girl for you..."Trey did not usually fret over Alex, but he was all grown up, and playing matchmaker was the least he could do.Ale
"Nothing. Go see when your mom's serving dinner. I'm starving."Was that it? Just like that?Walter was stunned, hardly able to believe the conversation had ended so abruptly.Trey clutched his prized cane, lounging in the living room. He had waited for ages, and he was just going to let Walter off the hook that easily?He caught Walter's doubtful look and, with a flick of his cane, said in annoyance, "What, you need a good thrashing to feel right? If you're itching for it, I'm happy to help..."He was about to lift his cane when Walter, not about to wait around for that, made a beeline for the door.Little did Walter know, someone had been watching their every move from a hidden spot. It was not until Walter had bolted that the observer wheeled himself into the open."Grandpa, what's this?" Alex's eyes landed on the papers Trey had tossed onto the couch. He grabbed them, feigning curiosity. "What's this all about?"He did not even need to peek at the papers; he already knew wh
Trey was supposed to be all over the Southern Crownlands case, right?Handing over the document without being asked had to be better than waiting for Trey to demand it.However, Trey's reaction was explosive. He chucked the document aside like it was nothing."Walter, look at you, all grown up. You barely come home, and when you do, the first thing you talk about is work?"You're so into your job. Why'd you even bother getting married?"'Again with Evangeline!'Walter had convinced himself that Trey was just blowing off steam over some work issue. However, deep down, it was all about his rocky marriage to Evangeline."Alright, sure, I married Evangeline, but we both know the real story of how she ended up in the Gordon family, don't we, Grandpa?"Back then, he did not want to marry Evangeline at all.Sometimes he wondered, if he had just refused to let Evangeline into his life, would he be spared the heartache he felt then?However, that was just Walter making excuses. Truth