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.

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 recent years. Ruthless in the courtroom

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!" Evangeline clung to James'

he gazed at her, his expression turning grave. "What's going on? It's the holidays, for crying out loud. Where's Walter? Has he been giving you

she nuzzled against James' shoulder. "Uncle James, can you be my lawyer? I

stand by and watch his niece endure such mistreatment. "I should've known you wouldn't come to me unless it's serious. What were

heartache and anger surged through James.

and your other uncles get wind of this,

I'm scared it might break Grandpa's heart... You've always been the best to me, please." She could not bear

The doctor said he's gotten worse. His biggest dream is to hold a great-grandson, and he's been holding out for some good news from

Cole's

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

seeing her as the one to carry on the Foster family legacy. He wanted her

other plans, and things became

just about keeping Walter close,

Little did they

wraps for now. Once I'm pregnant, then we'll break the news of my divorce

are you saying?" James

go for a better option?" Evangeline pushed down her inner turmoil and nonchalantly crossed her legs. "Don't

all invested in Evangeline's future, but they were not about

however, was resolute. "Just handle the divorce, Uncle. I'll take care

could not

out in three months. Well, Evangeline was about to show them all.

was already ready to move on.

could stay tied to Julia

she fired off a message. [I need a man who's ready to start a family. Must be under thirty, standing at about 1.9 meters, drop-dead gorgeous with a genius-level IQ, and