Unmasking the Heiress by Sisi Yea

Walter did not allow Evangeline to fight back, not sparing her another glance. With a face of stone and a fury that could shake the earth, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him. The sound was like thunder, and the chill wind that followed seemed to freeze the room, the dark night and churning sea outside consuming Evangeline's heart.

However, she did not rage. She laughed, a laugh that kept the tears at bay, and hurled her cup against the wall. "Walter, you bastard!"

Her inner rebel, long caged, shattered the facade she had maintained for three years. He had flaunted Julia in her face, a clear message to get out of the Gordon family. However, when she was ready to do just that, he balked?

She was not fooled. Walter was not the type to have second thoughts. He was always the one in charge, the mastermind. He would be damned if he was not the one calling the shots in their marriage, too.

He could walk away from her, leaving her to wear the label of a divorcee, but she was not allowed to challenge him.

He could suggest divorce, but she was supposed to stay silent.

Why was it that he could lavish all his love on the woman she despised most on New Year's Eve, and she was expected to step aside, clearing the way for them?

She was determined to end that marriage. She was set on claiming half of the alimony, too. She would not let Julia get off with a windfall.

After one too many drinks, her head spinning slightly, she splashed water on her face in the bathroom.

When she stepped out of the lounge, the party on the yacht had wound down. Even Julia had vanished.

With an arch of her brow, she strutted off the yacht in her stilettos.

The night stretched out, vast and chilly, the wind biting.

Evangeline stood solitary by the shore, on that New Year's Eve of farewells and new beginnings, gazing at the distant twinkling lights of countless homes.

She mustered her courage and dialed her uncle, James Foster.

30 minutes later, James' sleek black Porsche, the epitome of understated luxury, screeched to a halt before her.

wave of warmth enveloped her, and she finally dropped her defenses, looking up at James tearfully. "Uncle James... What took you so long?" James Foster, the top lawyer at Halcyonia with a shroud of mystery around him, had risen to prominence in

on his niece, he chided her with a mix of frustration and affection, "So you finally thought to call me, kiddo? I was starting to think you'd forgotten all about us!"

grave. "What's going on? It's the holidays, for crying out loud. Where's

"Uncle James, can you be my lawyer? I want to divorce Walter. I can't

to me unless it's serious. What were you

of heartache and anger surged through James. He flicked Evangeline's forehead in

grandpa and your other uncles get

can't let that happen! Uncle James, you've got to keep this under wraps for me. I'm scared it might break

health is fragile. The doctor said he's gotten worse. His biggest dream is

of her Cole's hopes made Evangeline's heart

to keep the family afloat. To save the Fosters from ruin, she stepped up to marry Walter. With all

as the one to carry on the Foster family legacy. He wanted her to settle down with Walter and quickly give the family a precious new

had other plans, and things

have a baby was not just about keeping Walter close, it was about giving Cole peace of mind and

sticks when she left the Rearden family for Cole's country home. Little did they know about

under wraps for now. Once I'm pregnant, then

are you saying?" James

her inner turmoil and nonchalantly crossed her legs. "Don't worry, Uncle. Give me two months, and I'll be carrying the Foster family's next golden boy." James could see Evangeline was playing with

all invested in Evangeline's future, but they were not about to let her rush

resolute. "Just handle the divorce,

think she could not make it without

all. She was determined

ready to move on.

stay tied to Julia all

ready to start a family. Must be under thirty, standing at about 1.9 meters, drop-dead gorgeous with a genius-level IQ, and let's just say... Well-endowed, skilled in bed. Ivy League grad, of course. And he's