Roslyn was at the bedside, providing round-the-clock care.Walter's mind raced as he scanned the Foster family gathering, but Celina was nowhere to be found."Where's Celina? Why isn't she here?"Roslyn's voice crackled with frustration."It's all because of you, isn't it? You promised to watch over David for the night, but you bailed, leaving him all alone in the hospital. He couldn't even get a glass of water, and he ended up falling out of bed and splitting his wound open again! Once Celina heard about it, she couldn't just sit around doing nothing."David was so close to being out of the woods, just two days away from leaving the hospital and recovering at home with the Fosters, where Celina could have easily looked after him.Thanks to one unwatched night, it was like they were back to square one with his injury!Roslyn, however, knew she could not lash out at Walter.Sure, Walter's carelessness led to David's fall, but he also saved Evangeline's life. His heroics somewhat
"A secret guy messaged me out of the blue about Evie being missing. He needed backup to save her, so he roped me in.""Who's this guy?"Yale rubbed his chin, piecing it together.Walter had to have met the guy if they teamed up to save Evangeline. Then, like a lightbulb moment, Yale asked, "Is it the dude who dropped you off? The one with the Land Rover?"Walter nodded. "Yeah, he's Evangeline's buddy. She felt off after Alex invited her somewhere, so she hit up her friend. He figured she was in trouble and came to me. About who he is, well..."Walter hesitated, "He left the Foster family without a trace, which means he doesn't want anything to do with them. Uncle Yale, I'm sorry, but I can't say more than that.""No worries."Yale's reply was quick, but he had a different game plan.He was a buddy of Evangeline's, so why not just ask her? No need to put Walter on the spot."Things have changed between you and Evie. It's probably best if you head out soon."Anyway, we owe you
Yale's reply was icy."Thanks won't cut it, Walter. You need to seriously think about your next move."Gordon Group had just taken a major hit from the Southern Crownlands debacle, and The Bennex Corporation's latest move is like rubbing salt in the wound. With Trey bedridden and seriously ill, it seems like you're the only one left who can pull the company back from the brink."Walter's voice was firm as he spoke, "I know.""It's not enough to know, I need you to act!"Yale stared at Walter, his frustration with the man's inaction practically tangible.The Fosters and the Gordons had always been frenemies—partners on paper but competitors at heart. Yale, at the helm of the company, had been locking horns with Walter for years and knew full well what the man was capable of.Walter had the chops to steer Gordon Group out of this mess, yet he was dragging his feet."Walter, I just don't get it. What's holding you back? You've never seen eye to eye with your brother, and now that
As he was on the verge of stepping out of the study, Yale's voice stopped him in his tracks."Walter, things between the Fosters and Gordons aren't the same anymore. It's not appropriate for me to drop by and see your granddad. Could you tell him I said hi?""Sure thing, thanks."Walter could not quite remember how he managed to leave the Fosters' place.He was behind the wheel of the car he had borrowed from them, just cruising without a destination in mind.He had always blamed Trey for Alex bailing on the company, thinking Trey deserved to take a hit for his screw-up.However, Yale had a point. Was it fair to expect an old man, already knocking on death's door, to watch everything he had worked his whole life to go up in smoke?The mess The Bennex Corporation had uncovered could spell the end for Gordon Group if it got pinned on them. Yale's grim prediction seemed all too likely to come true.Walter hit the brakes hard.The screech of tires against the pavement cut through
The word 'regret' hit Walter like a ton of bricks. It was a first in his life, and it weighed him down like never before.He had messed up with Evangeline, and he truly regretted it.Aria had no clue what was running through Walter's head. She saw his pained look and figured he was torn up about Trey being sick."Don't sweat it. The doctor said your grandfather's surgery went off flawlessly, and he's bouncing back nicely. If all stays stable for the next few days, he'll be out of here and on the mend at home."Aria squeezed Walter's hand, trying to pump some of her own power into him.With the news that Trey was out of the woods for the time being, Walter felt a weight lift off his shoulders."Hey, Mom, if the company tanked, would you be crushed? Think you could handle a whole new life?"Aria jumped at the question, thinking Walter was pulling her leg."Gordon Group is a behemoth, kiddo. If it were to go under, it wouldn't happen overnight. It's not that easy for a giant to fa
Nonetheless…"Look at the time, will you?" Trey pointed with a frail, thin finger toward the clock on the wall of the hospital room. "It's so late, yet you came all this way to visit your grandpa…""This proves I've grown up and know how to care for you now!" Walter quickly interjected. "I couldn't rest tonight, you see. I then thought of you, so I rushed over to see you..."Trey, however, waved his hand dismissively, signaling for Walter to let him continue. Speaking was exhausting for him in this state, and if someone interrupted, he could not muster the energy to go on."You rascal… It's been so long since you've thought of visiting me, and you suddenly rush over in the middle of the night, now? There are only two possible reasons for this."Trey raised two fingers toward Walter."Either I'm about to die, or something has gone wrong with the company. So, tell me, what's happened to the company?"Despite his advanced age and serious illness, Trey remained sharp and astute.Ev
"Mr. Gordon, Mrs. Gordon has woken up! She's still a little weak now, but all the test results came out normal, and she's out of danger now."David's cheerful voice was contagious over the call, lifting Walter's previously somber mood."Really? She's in the clear?"As long as Evangeline didn't suffer any aftereffects, it meant the drug wasn't the one he had seen on the dark web. That was a relief to him."That's right, sir."My dearest Celina is amazing! Those doctors fussed around for so long without success, but she went in and got Mrs. Gordon awake in under five minutes!""I'll have to thank your precious Celina when I get the chance, then," said Walter with a chuckle.David was flustered by this. "Please, sir! Celina is my wife, and Mrs. Gordon is like a sister to her. Helping her was the right thing to do. No need for thanks.""Of course, of course," Walter replied repeatedly, but his mind turned to a decision he had just made."David, I actually owe you an apology. After
Emma secretly admired Alex, so naturally, she focused on speaking to him.At this moment, her suggestion was also the most beneficial to Alex.After all, Walter had privately proposed a meeting, which was already overstepping. Moreover, he asked all the shareholders to attend, which was bound to frustrate everyone. If Alex stepped forward at such a time, it would place him on the moral high ground, and he could immediately criticize Walter for interfering in matters that did not concern him."Then prepare the materials to respond," decided Alex swiftly.Ever since he left the villa after abandoning Evangeline, he had been thinking about what remedial measures he could take to face the threat to Gordon Group from The Bennex Corporation.Carl watched as Alex made countless calls to the Bennison family and The Bennex Corporation but went unanswered. He knew that the Bennison family was determined to destroy Gordon Group, and he was destined to be just a pawn.At this point, the Benn
As she sipped her coffee, Evangeline was deep in thought. She tried to figure out a topic that could naturally steer the conversation toward what she truly cared about.Walter, on the other hand, felt ignored.The stark contrast left him uncomfortable, but since he was the one who had invited Evangeline, he could not exactly complain.The silence as they each focused on their coffee grew increasingly awkward. Summoning his courage, Walter attempted to break it."How have you been, Evangeline?"The last time he had seen her was when he rescued her from Alex's clutches.Evangeline had been forced to take an unknown drug, leaving her feverish and burning up. However, because something urgent had happened at Gordon Group, Walter was forced to leave the Foster family's residence and deal with the crisis.Thinking back to how much Evangeline had suffered without him by her side filled Walter with guilt."I've been fine," replied Evangeline without a second thought.When Alex had dru
The work at the company had been exhausting. After the final meeting and deployment were arranged, Walter was dog-tired.Nonetheless, as he once again determined the company's fate, he felt compelled to come to the hospital. He knew he should not burden a bedridden elderly man with this kind of pressure. Thus, he simply wanted to come and check on Trey, to show concern for his condition.Walter had not expected to run into Evangeline in the hospital room.Amid the surprise, it was happiness that triumphed over all thoughts. He forgot the exhaustion from working nonstop for hours. All he could think of was spending more time with Evangeline, just a little longer.Evangeline pointed to the parking lot in the distance, politely rejecting him."I drove here. My ride is over there."Anyone who could drive knew how convenient it was to be alone in a car. Smart as Walter was, how could he not understand Evangeline's refusal?Even so, his desires got the better of him, and he did not wan
Aria was stunned for a moment but quickly regained her composure. "Is it a special day or something? Not only is Evie home, but Walter is here, too. Now we're all here together! What a lively family reunion."Walter slowly walked into the room.Since Evangeline was sitting, he had to stand by the side.Trey felt more giddy when he saw Walter entering.Walter immediately understood Trey and quickly said, "Everything at home is fine, Grandpa. You don't need to worry. Just focus on getting better here."Trey nodded, mumbling, "The company…""The company is fine, too. Don't you trust that Alex will take care of the company? And I wasn't just loitering around after I left the company. I've been doing things I like, living quite freely!" Walter spoke lightly, his smile so bright that it was almost blinding.If Evangeline had not seen the news that had caused such a huge stir, she might have believed what Walter said.When did Walter become such a good actor?Evangeline was inwardly
Evangeline quickly walked over and helped Aria to her feet, concerned as she asked, "Mrs. Gordon, what's wrong? Is it... Is it about Grandpa Trey?"Aria looked at the young face in front of her, and only then did she realize that it was Evangeline."I'm not seeing things, am I? Evie, is it really you?" Aria wiped her eyes in disbelief, her voice tinged with surprise.Before Evangeline could respond, Aria grabbed her hand. "You're here to see Grandpa Trey, right? He's inside, still sleeping. He hasn't been feeling well lately and just keeps sleeping. I'll wake him for you!"Aria stepped toward the door, but Evangeline, upon hearing that Trey was sleeping, quickly stopped her. "Let's not wake him now. I just came to visit."Evangeline handed the gift in her hand to Aria."How can that be?"Aria took the gift and quickly replied, "You don't know this, but he lies in bed every day just hoping someone will talk to him. Walter and the others are too busy to visit. Now that you're here
Evangeline stiffened, wiping away the tears in her eyes and pushing away Roslyn's embrace."Gordon Group is under Alex's control. Why should I be worried about Walter?"Although Roslyn knew Evangeline was just being stubborn, she did not want to argue with her."Okay, okay, you're not worried about him. But what about Trey? He's in the hospital now, and we don't even know his condition. Why not visit him?"Evangeline's gaze froze.Ever since Trey fell seriously ill, she had only seen him once and had not visited since. The old man was getting on in years; every visit might be one less time she could see him. She might have severed ties with Walter, but Trey was like her own grandfather. How could she bear not to check on him since he was in such a state?Even so…"What if I run into…"Trey was Walter's grandfather. What if she showed up and found Walter there, caring for him? Would that not be awkward?Roslyn patted the back of her hand, urging her to relax. "If I hadn't see
When Walter left the company, David resigned as well. With Walter back, the likelihood of David returning was high. At that time, where would Emma's position be?Walter immediately noticed Emma's worry. "Of course Mr. Zimmer will come back, but he is seriously injured right now and can't return for the time being. Once he recovers, he'll have his place. Just focus on your work."Emma nodded, understanding his words. "So what should we do next? The press conference by The Bennex Corporation is about to start."She glanced at the time; there was still an hour before the conference began."Should we just wait for them to make their move and not respond at all?"The issue The Bennex Corporation exposed at the press conference was a devastating blow to Gordon Group.Although the Gordon Group had a solution, the public did not know that, and it still impacted their reputation. A slight mistake could lead to irreversible damage!Walter stroked his chin. "No need for a response, but whe
"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