Celina did not hesitate to draw her conclusions.The three girls were lost in thought until Roslyn's face suddenly brightened."Evie, I think I've figured out Walter's game."With Evangeline looking on, doubtful, Roslyn explained, "Do you remember what Walter told you back in the hospital room?"I know it's wrong to listen in on your conversation, but I was so worried about you that I didn't wander off too far after I left the room."Roslyn, just outside the door, had heard every word of their conversation crystal clear.Evangeline's mind was a total blank, and she had no clue how to respond. However, Roslyn did not even give her a second to gather her thoughts."Evie, I need to know right now: what are your real feelings about Walter? And what about the things he's said to you? How do you take that?"Evangeline fell silent.Just hearing 'Walter' felt like poking an old wound on her heart, one that had barely healed. The slightest touch brought a pain so intense it took her br
"I get it, you don't want to hear this, Evie, but running away isn't a forever kind of plan. I'm just trying to save you from future regrets.""What else am I supposed to do?"Lifting her gaze once more, Evangeline's eyes were swimming in tears, her cheeks flushed with the effort of holding them back.Evangeline, the cherished darling of the Foster family, had never felt so exposed, so raw.She could not figure out why she was so shaken. Roslyn was only stating the obvious, yet Evangeline felt like her whole world was on the verge of shattering.She was not deaf to Walter's thoughts; she was just too scared to even consider them.If, when the truth came out, she realized she had gotten it all wrong about Walter again, that she had been reading too much into things, she would be devastated."Roslyn, can we not do this right now, please?"Her voice was a whisper of a plea, and it cut through Roslyn, who could not bear to say another word.Celina stepped in swiftly, easing the tw
It had been ages since Evangeline had even sniffed at a bottle of alcohol, and the idea of letting loose and getting totally plastered was tempting.However, if Yale walked in and found Roslyn sloshed, would he be angry?Then there was Celina, whose boyfriend David was still in the hospital…Roslyn brushed off the worry with a wave of her hand. "What's the big deal? Who says we need guys to enjoy some barbeque and brews?"Sure, wine was classy, but beer was where the party was at.With that thought, Roslyn snapped her fingers and had the servants haul out every last can of beer from the fridge, ready to go all night. She gave Celina a playful shoulder bump."How about it? You in? Your guy's tied up in the hospital, but no pressure if you're not feeling it."Celina looped an arm around Roslyn's waist, grinning. "Who cares about him right now? He's got people for that. Why stress? Let's live it up while we can. Plus, I can't let you two have all the fun without me."Just like tha
"Evie is a whole gem, and Walter doesn't know what he's got. So what if he's having second thoughts now? As if Evie can't find someone way better after ditching him."Roslyn kept up her chatter, and Celina was taken aback. "Wait, weren't you rooting for Ms. Evangeline to stick with Walter?"She had pegged Roslyn as the type to sting Evangeline's pride just to convince her of Walter's true feelings, firmly in Walter's camp.Why was Roslyn singing a different tune all of a sudden?Roslyn gave an eye roll that spoke volumes, and said with a hint of disdain, "What are you on about? Walter is a total loser. Why would I ever root for them as a couple? I only said all that stuff before because I didn't want Evie to get stuck in her past sorrows and have regrets."Helping her to step out of her bubble and face the real world doesn't mean I'm okay with her getting tangled up with a loser again!"It sort of made sense.Celina felt there was something a little twisted about Roslyn's logic,
What good had Evangeline's soft rejection done? Alex's every move and word dripped with hints of romance as if he was already her boyfriend-in-waiting.No more; she was going to shut him down for good. No mixed messages, no false hopes.Alex's voice came through the phone, tinged with a mix of confusion and hurt. "What do you mean? Evie, didn't you say you'd think about it? That meant you were giving me a chance, right? If you won't go out to dinner with me, how can I even try to win you over?"His voice shook, sounding more like he accused Evangeline of toying with his heart than confessing his love.She was clear and final as she stated, "I've thought it over, Alex. We're just not right for each other."Evangeline was done with pointless debates. No amount of talking would be better than just laying it out for Alex, making him face the hard truth."You haven't even tried, haven't felt my love for you. How can you just rush to say we're not right for each other? Evie, I get that
On the other end of the line, Alex sounded utterly hopeless.However, that was the part Evangeline could not wrap her head around."Why does it have to be the last meal? We can't be lovers, sure, but we can still be friends, can't we?"She could not fathom that Alex would throw away years of friendship so easily. Even if they could not be friends... it did not mean they had to cut each other off completely, never to meet again, did it?All Evangeline heard then was a deep, heavy sigh."Okay, I'll be honest with you: I'm out of here, heading to someplace way out of reach. Today's my last day in Avalon City, and I'm not planning on a return trip, ever."I had hoped you'd come with me, but since you turned me down, I've got no reason to drag you away. I just wanted one last chance to see you, so please, just come out."Someplace way out of reach…Evangeline's thoughts flashed back to the stunt Alex pulled on Walter.If she was not wrong, he was talking about Southern Crownlands,
"Evangeline, you've really let me down! Don't you get how I feel about you? Why are you doing this to me, hurting me like this? Is it a crime to be into you? Do I really deserve this kind of treatment from you?"Alex's words were carefully chosen, but the accusations he hurled at Evangeline were harsher and more towering with each breath.It was overwhelming for her.She was a divorced woman. She should have the freedom to be with any man she would choose, should she not? Alex had no business meddling in her life, did he? Who gave him the right to guilt-trip her like that? What was that all about?However, before Evangeline could come up with a good comeback, Alex's voice turned dark and threatening. "Evangeline, I've made up my mind, I'm not going easy on you anymore!"This last meal before I leave Avalon City, I have to have it! And it has to be with you! Just tell me if you're coming or not!"Let me be clear: Walter is a nobody now, and it would be easy for me to end him. If y
Evangeline hung up the phone, feeling like she was still caught in a dream.Had she just agreed to dinner with Alex that easily? She had promised to meet him at the cafe afterward, too?Then it hit her—why stress? It was just Alex waiting at the cafe, after all.The only bummer was that she would have to bail on Roslyn's drinking marathon soon.She pocketed her phone and strolled over to where Hank and the rest were hanging out."Look who's here, our very own big-shot CEO. What's the special occasion?" Evangeline quipped, trying to keep it light.Roslyn, slightly sheepish, quickly nudged Hank closer to Evangeline. "Whatever the reason, Mr. Tarp, we're super honored you could make it to our little shindig. You're making our modest place sparkle!"Celina gave a wry smile, loaded with hidden meaning, leaving it to Evangeline to decode.However, thanks to years of silent understanding between them, Evangeline caught on in an instant to the silent drama unfolding.Roslyn was not on
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