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."

furiously unbuttoning his shirt collar. "Find out everything about this James guy and all of Evangeline's connections down south over the past

James walked out of the hotel, arm in

forehead. "You're

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Chapter 8

a guy with mixed heritage, perfect

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

I just had a huge fight. How can I bring him back

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 months if we're not careful. We better keep the divorce under wraps. It would

her grandfather's

She could not

red. "Evie, I know all about the trouble with Walter.

something unforgivable! Listen, Evie, I'm on your side. I told that jerk if you

clicked for Evangeline. That explained why Walter was against the divorce: Grandpa Trey had been

could not afford to live

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

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

sincere, and he dabbed at his eyes, his plea tugging at her heartstrings. "You

Cole? Have you told him

keep this between us for a little while? I don't want

to come back," said Trey over the phone, 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

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