Walter needed to see how Trey was doing. His grandfather had lost his appetite since Evangeline's departure, and Walter was worried about his health.Upon entering, he found Trey engrossed in the latest news about Evangeline, his eyes gleaming with admiration.Walter caught the look on his grandfather's face, which held no trace of shock at the revelation that Evangeline was a queen of the racetrack."Grandpa, you knew about this all along, didn't you?" Walter probed.Without even bothering to glance back, Trey responded, "You've been Evie's husband for how long and are still clueless? What could I possibly know that you don't?"The old man's tone was laced with irritation. "Evie's a rose that's been planted in a pile of manure!" He shook his head in dismay. "How on earth did the Gordons end up with a dud like you?""Grandpa, I admit I messed up before, but is there anything else you know about Evangeline?" pressed Walter, desperate to uncover all he could about her."I've said
Oscar was a die-hard Cole fan. Cole's larger-than-life tale had even hit the silver screen, with flicks like 'The Gambling King's Saga' and 'The Gambler and His Three Thousand Ladies'. He had grown up on those stories and had dreamt more than once of being spotted by Cole, becoming his protege, and ruling the casinos. He imagined striking it rich overnight and living a life dripping with wealth and excess.The harsh truth was that his job was breaking his heart day after day, and trying to find someone had become as futile as searching for a needle in a haystack, with the constant threat of getting the ax hanging over his head.The next morning, Walter was up with the stars, waiting outside Evangeline's old place—a charming Victorian house she had lived in as a kid, back when her mother was still around.Walter remembered how her mother was a woman with flowing hair and warmth that could light up a room.Staring at the house brought a flood of childhood memories. He had lived just
The company was abuzz with shock. It had been a whirlwind of bombshells for days.Walter and Evangeline had kept their marriage under wraps, and since Evangeline had never set foot in the company during their marriage, most employees were clueless about Walter's marital status. The revelation of his marriage sent shockwaves through the office.Before anyone could catch their breath, the divorce rumors came crashing in, followed by another scoop.Hot on the heels of the divorce buzz, Walter's so-called wife hit the headlines for her unique status and for telling her parents and her violin-prodigy sister she had nothing to do with them.The news cycle had not even cooled down when Evangeline's secret life as a racing queen was exposed, sparking endless gossip. Gordon Group had turned into a media frenzy, with reporters infiltrating the company in search of the scoop.Being in Walter Gordon's orbit seemed to promise a life of luxury.Today, the staff were stunned to see the couple,
Evangeline never imagined that not only had Trey passed on his shares to her, but Walter had handed over most of his stake as well."What's this about? You think I don't feel valued? Now I've put everything—my whole net worth and life—in your hands. You still want to walk away?" Walter closed in, his presence overwhelming."So, you've rigged the whole game, huh? To keep me from leaving, you'd gamble away your entire fortune?""Isn't it better this way? Stay Mrs. Walter Gordon, and share in the Gordon family's legacy," said Walter."What's the point, Walter? You think I'm clueless? You're just trying to save your own skin. I never thought you'd stoop so low, using threats like this! If I sign that paper, everyone will see me as the gold-digger who took the Gordons for all they're worth and still walked out. I'll be the talk of the town, and I might even get less in the divorce because of it. You're beyond low."Evangeline had always known the world was not full of free lunches, esp
Everything Julia had clawed for, Evangeline seemed to possess without effort. Evangeline had Walter's affection as well as fame, and it was infuriating.Julia had been laying low to avoid stirring up more gossip, but she could not even enjoy a few days of peace at home before Walter's mother, Aria, casually mentioned the share transfer, reigniting Julia's smoldering rage.She had even come a day early to talk some sense into Walter, to convince him not to make a huge mistake. However, Aria, who was notorious for her blunders, had somehow mixed up the dates.By the time Julia got to the office, it was too late, and the deed was done. She walked right into Walter's office to find him wrapped up in a steamy embrace with Evangeline.Julia's hands balled into fists, her nails digging into her palms, but she could not let her rage show.Why did that woman, Evangeline, have to have everything, including trying to steal her man? No, Evangeline should have been left to wither away in obscu
"What's on your mind that you need to tell my husband? Out with it—I'm all ears. Or, if you prefer, you two can have your little secret chat. Though, would you really leave me here, all by myself in the office, waiting, darling?" said Evangeline, her eyes playfully teasing Walter.Julia, witnessing that spectacle, was seething with rage."Julia, if there's something you need to say, let's hear it. Right here, right now." Walter's gaze shifted to Julia, the warmth gone and replaced by a chill colder than the one he reserved for strangers."I need to talk to you about our past project—it's about work. Can we talk in private?" There was a touch of desperation in her voice.'Walter, just look at me. I'm the one who really loves you,' Julia silently pleaded."I'm afraid I can't be of much help anymore." Walter shrugged helplessly. "Evangeline holds most of the Gordon Group's shares now. She's the top shareholder, and I even have to follow her lead."Julia could not believe it. Even if
"Cut the sob story, I'm not interested. You can leave my office now. I'll have someone show you out," said Evangeline, pressing the intercom to call the front desk. "I need two security guards to escort Ms. Julia out of the Gordon Group building, please."It was more of a boot than an escort. Julia was seething.Evangeline was not done yet. "Oh, and Ms. Julia? Just so you know, your partnership with Gordon Group is over, including that fancy 'Return of the Princess' project we were crafting for you. No need to come by the office for work anymore. Don't thank me—it's the least I can do."Evangeline's tone was light, but Walter caught the triumphant glint in her eye. He found every side of her utterly captivating.The violin prodigy who had once been the center of attention was then unceremoniously ousted from the building. There had been whispers that Julia might end up as the future Mrs. Gordon, and everyone had been so welcoming each time she visited. However, the real deal had ar
Both Evangeline and Walter eyed the insistent phone. With a nudge, she urged Walter to give her some space.Realizing she had something urgent to attend to, Walter backed off with a resigned sigh and started scrolling through his phone.He was frustrated to no end. Why did every perfect moment between them have to be interrupted? Was fate really against him and Evangeline being together?Evangeline, oblivious to Walter's inner turmoil, could not help but think that her estranged father, Andrew, had unwittingly done her a favor that time."What's up?" she snapped as she answered the call disdainfully."You better come over tonight! Meet me at Crystal Waters Apartment," Andrew barked back, even less politely.Evangeline pulled the phone away from her ear, saving herself from his grating, loud voice."Ha, as if I'll jump just because you say so. Who do you think you are? You think you're something special just because you're my dad?" She lashed out, unafraid. With her grandfather's
"I will handle both matters properly and provide a clear explanation to all shareholders within a week."Walter's working style had always been swift and decisive. With just a few words, he managed to soothe the shareholders' concerns.As soon as he finished, the room erupted in thunderous applause. Praise followed closely behind, ringing out alongside the clapping.This was exactly the effect Walter had intended. With Alex gone and Walter regaining control of the company's management, the shareholders were fully convinced and showed no dissatisfaction.The meeting concluded.Walter was the first to return to his office.Unexpectedly, Emma followed him in without waiting for instructions.After entering the office, she stood across from his desk with her head lowered, looking hesitant as though struggling to find the words to speak.The sight annoyed Walter, and he decided to break the silence. "Ms. Carter, is there something you want to say?"Ever since discovering that Emma
Walter understood—Alex was handing the company over to him.Perhaps Alex finally regretted his decision to ally with a traitorous group.Emma, who had witnessed the entire upheaval, was still in shock. She stood frozen, staring blankly at the people around her, unsure of what to do.Noticing her dazed state, Walter did not seem upset. Instead, he chuckled lightly and reminded her, "Ms. Carter? The unwelcome guest has left. Why don't you close the door now? Our meeting is about to officially begin.""Of course," replied Emma softly with a lowered head. Nonetheless, her actions were swift as she moved to shut the meeting room door.Still, every step she took was unusually heavy, filled with trepidation and caution.For the first time, Walter saw a sense of complete submission in Emma's demeanor. Even so, he did not care about any of that.If it were not for David's severe injuries preventing him from attending the meeting, none of this would have fallen onto Emma's shoulders in th
"Go ahead, play it! Don't just grab some random video online and bring it here to slander me. I won't acknowledge it!"Walter found this response amusing."My dear brother, how can you be so certain that the video I have is just something I found online?"Alex's lips curved into a smirk. "There are no cameras in the CEO's office. Even if I did do something, it wouldn't have been recorded. Really, Walter, waving that USB drive like that—who are you trying to scare?"'Was Alex determined to deny everything until the bitter end?' thought Walter.Before he could respond, Emma stepped forward. "Exactly! I can understand your desire to return to the company, but you can't tarnish our CEO's name for your own selfish motives. Don't you agree?"Walter did not respond immediately.His sharp, dark eyes swept over both Emma and Alex before he calmly inserted the USB drive into the laptop he had prepared in advance.The video quickly appeared on the screen, but instead of projecting it onto
"Impossible! How could Mr. Alex Gordon possibly do such a thing?""Exactly! They're all part of the Gordon family. If Gordon Group collapses, how would that benefit him?""Well, you never know. Don't you remember what happened back then? Mr. Alex Gordon didn't leave Gordon Group voluntarily—he was forced out by Mr. Trey Gordon and Mr. Walter Gordon!"Everything was going smoothly, and then he was suddenly kicked out. Who wouldn't hold a grudge over that?"The crowd buzzed with speculation, including Emma, who had always been loyal to Alex.She looked at Alex in disbelief. "Mr. Gordon, what he said… it's not true, is it?"Her expression was complicated, tinged with visible disappointment.The reason she had helped Alex with those things was because she cared for him. She believed that he had returned to Gordon Group to achieve something great and that Trey and Walter were just thieves who had stolen the fruits of his labor.Walter's revelations seemed to suggest that Alex had be
Alex took a deep breath, his face darkening as he demanded, "Walter, you've been removed from the company. Grandfather personally stripped you of your authority in front of all the shareholders."You have no decision-making power in any company affairs. So, please leave my meeting room immediately. Thank you!"Contrary to expectations, Walter, despite being blatantly dismissed, remained unfazed. He sat firmly in his chair, unmoved."Yes, you and Grandfather forced me out of Gordon Group. But so what? Under your leadership, in these so-called traitor's hands, Gordon Group is on the brink of collapse."As a member of the Gordon family, am I supposed to just stand by and watch you drag Gordon Group into the abyss?"He leaned back slightly, his voice calm but sharp as a blade. "Or should I let these shareholders watch you use their hard-earned money to fill a bottomless pit—one that leads straight to an unmarked grave?"Alex's face paled at the accusation, and his hand trembled as he
"What's the point of all this arguing? Can it bring back the money? In the end, only Mr. Gordon can resolve the issue!"The room fell into a stunned silence. Everyone exchanged uncertain glances before they all turned, almost instinctively, toward Walter.Walter remained calm, casually raising his wrist to check his watch. "There's still one hour before The Bennex Corporation's press conference. Feel free to continue arguing if you'd like."But if you do, I won't stay to keep you company."The shareholders' faces turned pale, and their aggression completely dissipated."No, no, we don't know anything about these matters. You're the expert, sir. Please, tell us what to do."'What's this? Begging someone to help after shoving them out the door? Truly shameless.'Walter chuckled lightly. "I've already been removed from the company. I don't deserve to be called your president. The only reason I'm here today is because Gordon Group represents my grandfather's life's work. Watching it
Emma came along reluctantly, but she had to follow Alex's orders.Even as she stood beside Walter, her loyalty never wavered—she was Alex's person. Every action, every word, was meant to assist Alex, not this usurper Walter!Walter glanced at the woman beside him, his feelings mixed.The fact that Alex sent his personal assistant to him probably meant that he was aware of David's situation—hospitalized and severely injured. If Walter wanted to win this battle in front of the shareholders, he would have to handle everything himself.For the Gordon family, that was far too humiliating.Alex could be frighteningly stubborn sometimes yet inexplicably considerate at others.However, Walter had no interest in what Emma was thinking at this moment because…"Ms. Carter, if you want to help Alex, you'd better listen to me during today's meeting," he advised her, though his tone carried a hint of warning."Why should I?" Emma immediately stiffened, glaring at him defiantly.Walter smile
Alex's attitude had said it all, so why waste more words?Standing in front of Alex, Walter lit a cigarette. He would only smoke when his emotions were about to overwhelm him. Drawing on the cigarette, combined with the swirling smoke, helped calm him."Alex, I'll only ask you one question: how did your legs get injured?"Back when Alex left the Gordon family, he was perfectly healthy. By the time he returned, however, he was somehow wheelchair-bound.For a time, Walter had assumed it was just a ploy to gain sympathy. However, he realized that for a healthy person to willingly confine themselves to a wheelchair, the price was simply too high.He had sent people to investigate Alex's life abroad, but they found nothing. He had no choice but to ask in person.Alex chuckled softly. It seemed as though he had recalled something painful, as his eyes reddened.Suddenly, his expression grew firm. His thin lips curved slightly as he uttered two words:"Northern Montavia."Walter froze
"That's true." Alex chuckled, laughing with genuine amusement.When was the last time he and Walter spoke like this? For a moment, he could not recall."Walter, do you hate me?"Walter was puzzled. "Why would I?"Alex sighed deeply. "There are too many reasons..."Those reasons were Evangeline and the company. Even at this moment, clearly, he was the one who let the Bennisons infiltrate the company, yet his younger brother, Walter, had to clean up after him.As he listed these grievances, Alex felt like he was truly an unforgivable person, though he could not pinpoint exactly what he had done wrong.The feeling was deeply conflicting. Perhaps he would never figure it out in this lifetime.However, Walter swiftly answered, "I don't hate you, Alex. I pity you."His gaze fell on the wheelchair beneath Alex.A man who could walk on his own had to disguise himself as someone partially paralyzed for his own purposes. A man who could rely on himself needed help from others.What ki