Unmasking the Heiress

Chapter 27

With Evangeline's back pressed against the wall, she tilted her head to meet Walter's eyes. The small space amplified his masculine scent, and she held her breath, her hands balled into fists.

Her face was a mask of cool professionalism, her long lashes casting shadows over her cheeks. "Just name your price."

Walter almost laughed. The warmth that had been building around him vanished in an instant. He scoffed, the muscles in his jaw working. "That's hardly how you ask for a favor, and money is the last thing I need." "Alright, then! Forget what I asked." Evangeline was done bowing to him.

She bit her lip and tried to push him away, but Walter pushed her back against the wall. His hand gripped her waist, holding her in a charged standstill. "Believe it or not, I could say one word and George would never lift a finger to help you, no matter what you do." "Walter! You're shameless!"

Evangeline tried to kick him, but he caught her leg and wrapped it around his waist. "If you don't want everyone to see our troubles, then by all means, continue!"

Her kick was full of unrestrained anger.

The closer they were, the angrier she felt. Her eyes took in the veins on his hand, his chiseled jaw, his Adam's apple, his collarbone, and the steely strength of his body.

"You know exactly who I am, Walter! Or have you forgotten?" He gripped her chin tightly, and a jolt of electricity from their contact raced through his spine and into every part of his body.

His gaze was intense, yet his words cut through the air with a biting coldness.

Evangeline stood tall, her neck arched defiantly, refusing to lower her head and lose her pride even in that humiliating stance.

A sneer played in her eyes. "So, what is it that you want?" she challenged.

"It would be a different story if Mrs. Walter Gordon of the prestigious Gordon family was pleading with me,

"he retorted.

Walter's tone suggested that if Evangeline pushed for a divorce, he would not lift a finger to help. However, the courage it took for her to even consider leaving that heartless man... Why did he insist on trapping her in a loveless hell?

With a bitter twist to her lips, Evangeline managed a smile. "Walter, you've barely been present in our three years of marriage. These last few days, I've seen more of you than ever. Why? Do you loathe me that much? What are you trying to do now?" Walter felt an inexplicable sting in his chest as he looked at her, his eyes flickering with emotions. "Didn't you force me into this marriage? What makes you think you can just walk away whenever you please?"

He let go of her, his demeanor turning icy. "I want you to fully experience what it means to be the Seventh Young Madam of the Gordon family."

*25 BONUS

Evangeline had no illusions. He would not make that easy for her, refusing to let her dictate the terms of their separation. He was bitter shout the past-her ultimatum, the way she had tom him from Julia, and the public humiliation on the cruise ship

How could he let that go?

Even so, she was the one he had been promised to since they were children.

Without giving her a moment to doubt, Walter's eyes swept over her. "When you've made up your mind,

come find me."

The moment he finished, Evangeline was swiftly escorted away by her entourage of bodyguards, her departure so rapid it seemed to suck the warmth right out of the air. However, Evangeline's spirit remained unbroken. She gritted her teeth, fighting back the shivers and the

flush of embarrassment that scorched her cheeks.

She almost let those shameful tears escape.

She was the Foster family's darling, the little princess. Back in the South, at the Foster estate, she had never been pushed to the point of tears. Defeat was not an option.

Her ringtone broke through her thoughts, and she steadied her breath before answering. It was James.

"Evie, the court date is coming up. Are you ready?" He meant the divorce from Walter, of course.

"Stick to the plan, Uncle James," she replied firmly.

She would not back down on the divorce unless she had no choice.

Evangeline gave a signal after the call, and Wade, her loyal and formidable bodyguard, appeared as if from nowhere.

Evangeline had always kept a low profile, and she certainly did not want Walter clued into her true status.

Wade had been her shadow, her silent protector. He stood ready behind her, all deference. "Ms. Evangeline, your command?"

"Track down Dr. George. If he won't budge with a gentle push, then we'll have to force his hand. You have three days to bring him to me." Time was slipping away from her.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Her grandpa did not have much left either. He might have looked alright, but she knew he was just putting on a brave face for her sake.

She cursed herself for wasting the last three years on a love never meant to be.

"Understood, Ms. Evangeline." Wade could sense that the fiery spirit of the young Evangeline was reignited.

Evangeline had barely taken the reins when the news hit like a thunderbolt: her grandpa's health had taken a turn for the worse. Her phone buzzed with urgency. Chapter 27

It was Asher, her right-hand man, calling her to steer Foster Group through the storm.

"What about my uncles?" Evangeline's brow furrowed, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

"Ms. Evangeline, the less said about those so-called 'masters,' the better. The ones overseas can't make it back, and the ones here have just thrown in the towel. It's all on you now," Asher's voice carried the weight of the world.

Life had not been kind to Evangeline. She had lost her mother young and then faced the tempest of Foster Group alone.

"Time's tight, and there's a real mess that needs your touch, Ms. Evangeline," said Asher hesitantly.

"What's the mess?" Evangeline's eyebrow arched, ready for battle.

"With Foster Group pushing north and your grandfather's failing health, there's no one else to lead. Your absence these past three years has rocked the stock market. Now, Strata King Group and Gordon Group are circling like vultures, eyeing our central business turf," reported Asher.

The mere mention of Strata King Group and Gordon Group set Evangeline's blood boiling. Walter was a heartless snake, preying on the vulnerable.

"Mr. Davis, any word on him?" She ended the call and dialed Wade.

"George is missing! However, word on the street is that Walter's got him."

Walter?!

As the morning sun kissed the skyline, Evangeline stormed up to the gleaming entrance of Strata King Group's towering headquarters.

A sleek sapphire blue Maserati pulled up, and out stepped a statuesque woman cloaked in a black trench coat, her eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses-a shield for the not-yet-healed scars beneath.

She was on a mission: to get some straight answers from Walter.

"Where's Walter?" she demanded, cutting straight to the chase as she reached the reception.