The Day Our Promise Breaks

Brooks could feel Evelyn trembling behind him, and he knew it was from pure anger. Her hatred for Charles ran as deep as the pain he inflicted on her. Brooks' eyes softened with concern.

The moment he sensed Evelyn trying to pull her hand away, he tightened his grip. "Evelyn, don't go. Let me handle this. I promise I won't let anything happen to your mom."

He was genuinely worried that the pressure from Charles might push Evelyn to her breaking point, triggering her old illness. Evelyn looked up at Brooks, her eyes red and full of helplessness. Charles' power and influence felt like a mountain pressing down on her, and she had no idea how to escape it.

Coming back to New York, she never imagined Charles would still be clinging to her. She'd spent the past two years seeing endless stories about his perfect relationship with Dahlia. She thought his possessiveness over her had vanished. But to her dismay, he was still so shameless.

"Trust me," Brooks said, his eyes steady and reassuring. Caught in his gentle gaze, Evelyn found herself clutching his large hand once more. Though she didn't say a word, that grip said it all.

Brooks understood how much her mother meant to her. He wasn't like Charles, who would risk a mother's life for his selfish motives.

"Evelyn!" Charles snapped, noticing her subtle gesture, his voice turning colder. The tension in the room thickened. Just then, Charles' phone buzzed. He ignored it initially, his oppressive stare fixed on Evelyn. It wasn't until the second ring that he answered. It was Aiden. "Mr. Jenkins, the project on the south side has been halted."

This project was a big deal for Jenkins Enterprises this year. A shadow crossed Charles' eyes as he glanced at Brooks. It was him, using the Robinson family's influence to corner him, forcing a compromise for Evelyn's sake.

"Let's go check on your mom," Brooks said, leading Evelyn away. Charles didn't stop them. Once they were gone, Charles gave Aiden a few instructions before ending the call.

Andrew approached, helping Charles with the cut on his lip. Charles looked at Andrew, who seemed hesitant. He ignored his own injury, simply advising, "Keep everything under wraps."

Charles held a firm grip over their circle of second and third-generation elites. Andrew, feeling guilty, mimed zipping his lips, promising not to slip up again. He'd nearly let something slip just moments ago.

Charles left the hospital and headed to the office.

In the days that followed, Brooks got busier. Charles stayed away from Evelyn. Concerned about

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Josephine's health, Evelyn spent all her free time at the hospital. Watching Josephine get better each day finally brought her some relief. noveldrama

Andrew felt the weight of an unspoken burden. It wasn't as if he meant Josephine any harm. But he couldn't explain that the surgery was postponed because Charles had sourced rare, invaluable medication from abroad to strengthen Josephine's condition. Over three treatments, they could improve the success rate from fifty to at least seventy percent.

With Evelyn keeping a close eye, Andrew completed Josephine's check-up. Once Josephine was asleep, Evelyn left the hospital. Just as she stepped outside, a car pulled up. The door opened, and a man who looked like a butler stepped out. His manner wasn't overly respectful, but he was polite. "Ms. Evelyn, Mrs. Robinson would like to see you."