Unmasking the Heiress by Sisi Yea

Aria whispered to her son with a mix of affection and irritation, "Didn't Evangeline go looking for you last night? She's still not back? She's not with you? She can't have kids, and now she's out all night during the holidays, not answering her phone, breaking all the rules. Your grandpa is furious!

"I should've never agreed to let you bring her into this family. She's a country girl, nowhere near your league. Marrying into the Gordons was the luckiest thing to ever happen to her!"

Walter's mind flashed back to Evangeline's determined mention of divorce the previous night, to her drinking and shooting pool, so different from the demure image she maintained at the Gordons'.

Walter chuckled derisively. "We'll see about that."

Aria, not fully grasping Walter's intent and preferring to avoid the topic of the unwelcome daughter-in-law, said, "I heard Julia is back. I don't care if your grandpa agrees or not, I'm giving Evangeline three more months. If she can't get pregnant, she'll have to step aside for Julia!"

Walter's expression remained unreadable, but his eyes grew more distant. "Mom... Did you bring up the divorce with her?"

"What, should we let her keep her place in the Gordons forever?"

Walter could not help but laugh in frustration, wordlessly storming through the door.

"Hey! Walter!" Trey was waiting for him, propped up on his cane at the top of the steps. His face twisted with displeasure. "Get in my study, now!"

Walter strolled into the study with a defiant swagger.

Trey took a swing with his cane, landing a solid hit on Walter's leg. "You good-for-nothing, gallivanting around on New Year's Eve! I've heard the stories. Evie's talking about divorce!

"Listen to me: You still have a chance to fix this. Go find Evie, swallow your pride, and apologize. Do not take her for granted, because once she's gone, she's gone for good.

"I'm telling you right now that you won't find a better wife than Evie anywhere in this world!"

there, biting back the pain. He lazily

"I certainly do!"

pressed into

"I can't fathom you. You were the one who wanted to marry Evie. When she was down South, you were the one hiding her picture in your wallet. And now that she's your wife, you treat her like this? What's gotten

clear: Evie is the only granddaughter-in-law I recognize. If you go

another thing: You've got three months. If there's no baby, don't bother calling

sharp and defiant. "If you're so desperate for a great-grandchild, Grandpa, ask Alex to give you one. Don't waste your breath on me." With that,

in a huff. The old man was livid, his voice thundering through the halls, "Go ahead! If

of Trey's study, his face a thundercloud, and headed back to the bedroom he shared with Evangeline in

bachelor pad before the wedding. He rarely stayed there after getting hitched because Evangeline lived there. At this point, the

it was confirmed: Evangeline had not returned to their shared bedroom, and the cruise's staff

handsome face was marred by a deep

an express-delivered envelope. "Mr. Walter Gordon, this urgent

Walter unfolded the papers-a

on record was none

was a man of sterling pedigree, known for his criminal defense work, never for divorce. He did not just take any case his hourly fee was astronomical. Had Evangeline been acquainted with him all along? Was that why he would take her case, indicating

did not peek at the papers, but he could not miss the storm brewing on Walter's face. "Mr. Walter Gordon, are you

did not hold

fine, Daniel. You

did not push it and left

a somber chill. Lips tight, he pulled out his