Unmasking the Heiress by Sisi Yea

Chapter 8

At the sound of the voice, Evangeline glanced toward the entrance.

James strode in, looking sharp in his suit and his scholarly gold-rimmed glasses. Evangeline's caution melted away as she rushed to him, clinging to his arm and murmuring something. James' expression turned icy as he shot Walter a withering look, then led Evangeline to the front desk.

Like a knight in shining armor, he whipped out his phone and took care of the bill. "Ms. Rearden's room charges are on me."

Just like that, 300000 dollars hit the hotel's account with a thud.

"Forget the change.

"Mr. Walter Gordon, you're so tightfisted with your wife. Consider the rest a parting gift from me, for all the kindness you've shown our Evie these last couple of years." With that, he whisked Evangeline away, leaving Walter as if he were nothing but a ghost.

Who would have guessed James would settle Evangeline's bill without batting an eye? They must share bond deeper than anyone else knew.

Walter's expression hardened as he stared at James and Evangeline's linked arms.

His voice cut through the silence like a specter in the night, "James, you have the nerve to take on my divorce case. Ready to throw away the empire you've slaved over?" James did not even look back. "Big talk for someone so small, Walter. I won't stoop to your level. But mark my words: With me in the picture, you're the one who's going down!" With those final words, James pulled Evangeline along. They disappeared into the night.

The air in the hotel lobby turned icy in their wake.

No one caught the chilling menace flashing in Walter's shadowed eyes.

Just then, Hector, the bodyguard, finished dealing with the mixed-race kid Alex upstairs and hurried down, only to find Walter standing alone.

He approached Walter cautiously. "Mr. Walter Gordon? I've carried out your orders. The kid's been kicked out of the country for good. He won't ever step foot in Alvernia again."

all of Evangeline's connections down

of the

in the car, James playfully flicked Evangeline's smooth forehead. "You're getting too gutsy, picking up

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Chapter 8

her eyes. "I wasn't just picking anyone. I found a guy with mixed heritage, perfect for having a super-smart, drop-dead gorgeous Foster heir, Ugh, but no-Walter had to

didn't come just to stop you. You know, your grandpa's New Year's wish was to see you and Walter at the hospital. If you don't, he's talking about giving up treatment and just waiting to die at home. He even skipped his meds this

Evangeline's voice trembled. "Walter and I just had a huge fight. How can

Walter can be such a pain." James had almost lost it earlier. "Your grandpa isn't doing well. The doctor says he might have just three

clenched in pain, realizing her grandfather's condition was worse than she thought. She knew how

not bear to break his

phone buzzed with an incoming video call-it was Trey. His face filled the screen, his eyes soft and rimmed with red. "Evie, I know all about the trouble with Walter. Where have you been? Why haven't you come home? Have you given up on me too?" Evangeline fought to keep

if you two split, I'm giving you all my shares in the company. Alex can take

clicked for Evangeline. That explained why Walter was against the divorce:

to live in a

for treating me like your own. No matter what happens with Walter, you're still my

you come home? I've been craving the coffee you make. It's just not the same without you. If you can't, maybe you could show Mrs. Thompson how to brew it? Then I won't

voice was sincere, and he dabbed at his eyes, his plea tugging at her heartstrings. "You know, I was actually planning

told him

between us for a little while? I don't want to worry him until

his voice tinged with suspicion. "He's onto us, I think. Kept asking for a picture of you and Walter. I told him you lovebirds were holed up in your room, and that seemed to do

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