Semua Bab Unmasking the Heiress: Bab 431 - Bab 440

For an entire month, Walter had the stunning Minnie by his side, day in and day out, yet he looked like he had been through the wringer? No way!Evangeline's eyes slowly dropped to his chin and spotted the telltale shadow of stubble."Walter, when's the last time you shaved? You're a total mess."Evangeline stepped back from Walter, her nose wrinkled in distaste, but she did not miss a beat to tease him, "Seeing you like this, Minnie can't be all that great, huh? She lets her guy walk around looking like a slob...""Really?" Walter's voice was heavy with implication as his intense gaze fixed on Evangeline. "Well, by that logic, you're not doing too hot either. Didn't your guy step out looking just like this?"He pointed at his own stubbly chin, as if to make sure Evangeline saw."And let's not forget, legally speaking, I'm still your guy, and I've got nothing to do with Minnie."Evangeline seethed silently, her teeth clenched in frustration.Walter's go-to move was always the l

Walter's hand that had been holding Evangeline too firmly then rested gently on her slightly swollen belly, under her stern gaze.It was a strange and wonderful feeling. Walter knew the baby was just a tiny, developing life, but the thought of it growing inside Evangeline, the woman he loved, filled him with warmth.That warmth flooded through him as he touched her belly, and he felt like the luckiest guy on the planet.A wave of guilt washed over him for not being there for his wife and child. He silently vowed that once he sorted out his mess, if Evangeline could still stand him, he would make it up to her and their little one."Evangeline, take care of the baby," he said, leaving the rest unsaid. "And take care of yourself."He swallowed the rest of his words, knowing that Evangeline might see his promises as insincere, like a fox offering a chicken well wishes. It was better to leave them unspoken.Evangeline was taken aback by Walter's sudden softness which was so at odds wi

"Is that really what you think?"The last time they saw each other was at that cafe, right when the drama with Walter and Minnie blew up.Instead of leaving with him, Evangeline dashed off to find Walter, leaving Alex to wonder about all sorts of things.Alex knew he was closer to Walter than Evangeline was, but he had not stepped in. Would Evangeline think he was heartless? The more she pulled away, the more he could not stop thinking about her. It was not right to just show up at her place, but he could not help himself and ended up at the villa where Evangeline was resting up for the baby."Sure thing," agreed Evangeline without a second thought, and Alex felt a wave of relief. It was a relief she did not see him that way. He was worried about ruining his image in her eyes, especially when her marriage to Walter was on the rocks. If he messed up, he would regret it forever.Lost in his worries, Alex did not notice Evangeline's quiet, searching look. "You didn't come all this wa

"Does he care about me?" Alex let out a sharp, mocking snort, his eyes frosty. "Evie, my drama with the Gordons is not your problem. Just stay out of it, okay?""This phone call..."Before Evangeline knew it, Alex's hand was over hers, and he grabbed the phone right out of her grip."Don't bother calling. It'll just make a mess for everyone."Evangeline was shocked. She remembered Alex as that smooth, polite guy, not that... dictator.She wanted to say something, to stick up for Trey, but the storm brewing in Alex's dark eyes stopped her. The words just would not come out.No one could understand someone's pain if they had not lived it.She had no clue what Alex had been through with the Gordons, and maybe she was not in any position to push him toward making up with Trey."Okay, I won't tell Mr. Gordon. Let's keep this our little secret, okay?"Somehow, she just knew that keeping quiet would make Alex smile. All she wanted was to see a glimmer of happiness in his eyes.Deep

It snagged Evangeline's attention, and she picked up without a second thought."Could it be an update on Lydia's location?" Evangeline asked, her voice thrumming with hope.Since the day she had scoped out Sunny Glow Beauty Salon and sketched out a map of its layout for Snow Wolf, all had been quiet on his end. That unexpected call had her mind racing. Could it be the break they needed?She was right. A cheerful male voice greeted her from the other end."Yes, we should've had news sooner, but we hit a snag," Snow Wolf admitted, pausing for a moment before diving back in. "The map you handed over was just a slice of the salon's real footprint. We had to crack their system wide open to snatch the hidden part of the blueprint they were sitting on."Now we're pretty sure there's a secret door tucked away in the back of the director's office. And Lydia, the one you've been chasing shadows to find, is holed up in a room right behind that door."Lydia's disappearance had stretched on f