Unmasking the Heiress

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."

Walter stormed out, furiously unbuttoning his shirt collar. "Find out everything about this James guy and all of Evangeline's connections down south over the past few years! I want answers in thirty minutes!" "Right away!"

Evangeline and James walked out of the hotel, arm in arm.

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

Evangeline winced as tears formed in 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 mess it all up!*

"I 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 morning." That stubborn old man.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner, Uncle?" Evangeline's voice trembled. "Walter and I just had a huge fight. How can I bring him back now without making Grandpa's hopes soar?"

"True, 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 months if we're not careful. We better keep the divorce under wraps. It would crush him."

"What do I do?!" Evangeline's heart clenched in pain, realizing her grandfather's condition was worse than she thought. She knew how sharp he was.

How delicate. She could not bear to break his heart.

The 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 her voice steady. "Grandpa, I'm sorry, I just..."

"That Walter, he's done something unforgivable! Listen, Evie, I'm on your side. I told that jerk if you two split, I'm giving you all my shares in the company. Alex can take over the family business."

It suddenly clicked for Evangeline. That explained why Walter was against the divorce: Grandpa Trey had been leaning on him.

She could not afford to live in a fantasy.

A pang of sadness hit her. "Grandpa, thank you for everything, for treating me like your own. No matter what happens with Walter, you're still my grandpa. If you ever need anything, I'm here."

"Is that so? Well, I do need a favor. Could 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 have to bother you." Trey's voice was sincere, and he dabbed at his eyes, his plea tugging at her heartstrings. "You know, I was actually planning to visit my grandpa..."

"Ah, Cole? Have you told him about you and Walter?" Trey asked.

"Grandpa, could you keep this between us for a little while? I don't want to worry him until he's feeling better."

"You really need 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 to do the trick.

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"How about you swing by now? You and I can put on a little show, keep the old man in the dark a bit longer. You know how he gets it."

Evangeline was not bothered by much, but Cole's health was another story.

She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Just give me a minute, Grandpa. I'll be right there."

She could not let Cole find out.

"Okay, kiddo, I'll be here waiting!"

Once she hung up, Evangeline had James drive her back to the Gordon family estate.

She had dashed out so quickly the previous evening.

The divorce talk with Walter had come out of nowhere, and she had left so much behind at the Gordon estate, not to mention in the home she had shared with Walter.

Never returning was not an option, especially not over the New Year. She did not want to cast a shadow over Trey's celebrations.

However, the moment she stepped through the gates of the Gordon estate, Evangeline immediately regretted her timing.