Unmasking the Heiress

Before Water could follow Evangeline, however, Trey called out to him,

"Hold it right there, boy f've got a bone to pick with your

Walter stopped and leaned against the door frame, though he looked a bit pale. "What's up?

"What's with the scow? if it wasn't for my quick thinking, do you think you'd have been able to keep Evie around? You don't even know what her grandpa looks like. Some husband you are!"

"I don't need your advice, and frankly, I don't care to know," Walter snapped back, his frown deepening and a coldness creeping into his gaze

"Go on, keep playing the tough guy Ewe's poured her heart into this family, and you? You've been nothing but a headache. I want that mother and daughter gone from downstairs, and don't you dare bring me more problems in the new year? Walter's lips were a tight line, his face any mack. Then, with a crease in his brow, he asked, "You're hiding something about Evangeline's grandpa from me aren't you

They had always and the was just a simple countryman but the man as the wides had the commanding aure and authority of someone with power, a true gentleman that did not look like any countryman he had heard of

Clearly, Trey and Ewangelme kay some secrets from Tiên

Trey, cod as a cumumber in his armchair, Raunted hum, Now you curious? Where was this interest before? Three years of manage and you're cludes adout war's family Maybe you should be asking yourself why graille sum auking me? Water's face tumet to stone, and he was on the verge of waking out

They watched him go fustration written all was sum. The done all I can for you, and don't forget that you promised to wist Evie's grandfather Kamp your promo Sort be a no show and embarrass me."

Walter's scowl deepened, and he snippet, Yam on top of verContent from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

The door slammed befund Sum with a resounding Creol

The brooding Evangeline went back to their bedroom. She was ready to pack up her life in that place. it was water's old room, but even after three years of manage, he never once stayed

She had tried to make a home, Sut she was always done. She was done with the act

She started packing her things, ready to leave the fore she had made quer the last three years. Then, out of the blus, a chilly resonant voice echoed from being her

"What are you up to?

Evangeline jumped her heart skipping a beat When she spun, Waiter's stem, shadowedface met her

She quickly collected herself "Just what looks like en packing up to get out of here," Evangeline

reded her eyes cast as she contrued to til her case

"And what exactly are you packing? Isn't everything here property of the Gordons?" Walter lounged against the wall, arms folded, watching her with dark amusement, his whole presence radiating an aloof chill.

Evangeline had slipped into a sleek black dress that hugged her curves. The simple yet elegant black made an irresistibly enticing silhouette, almost taboo in its appeal. Her scent lingered in the air.

At Walter's words, a wave of annoyance flashed across her striking features, and she retorted with a detached laugh. "Take a good look-all I'm taking is mine."

"Oh? That porcelain doll you're so fond of was a souvenir from Grandpa's travels to Malasiania."

Fuming, Evangeline pulled out the doll. It was a keepsake from Trey, meant to be a cherished memory, but she decided against it. She wanted no more ties with Walter.

"And that rare green leather book in your suitcase, a priceless collector's item, straight from the Gordon family's private collection."

"Grandpa gave those to me," Evangeline shot back, glaring at him.

"He gave them to his granddaughter-in-law. Are you claiming that title?"

Evangeline's lips pressed into a thin line, a silent admission.

With a mocking sneer, Walter stooped and began to fling her neatly folded clothes out of the suitcase, one by one.

"These items here, and that one-I recall they were all bought with the Gordon family's money. What makes you think you can just walk off with them?"

"Walter, surely you're not going to make a fuss over a few worn-out clothes?" Evangeline could not help but laugh, abandoning her packing to arch an eyebrow at him with a smirk.

Walter towered over her, his features a mix of laid-back elegance and an icy aloofness that seemed to push everyone away. "Oh, I care," he said pointedly. "The shoes you're wearing, the clothes, the jewelry, the bags- it's all Gordon family property. You're not leaving here with anything."

His words were a clear dare: She was free to leave, but she would have to do it without a stitch on.

Evangeline stepped up to the challenge defiantly. "So, I'm supposed to leave my used things behind? Planning to save them for Julia, are you?

"Oh, let me guess, I'm being the generous one now, clearing out space for you, and you're not even grateful? Or maybe you want your precious Julia to second-hand my cast-offs? Wow, Mr. Walter Gordon, you're not just a jerk but a cheapskate too!" Her sarcasm was as sharp as a knife.

Walter laughed as if she had told the funniest joke. He tilted her chin up, his words slicing through her pride mercilessly. "Let Julia use your hand-me-downs? You flatter yourself. I'm stopping you from taking these things because I'd rather burn them or toss them out than let you have a sliver.

"And Julia? She'll only ever get the best with me, so don't you worry your pretty little head about her."

Both were seething, locked in a standoff, like two hedgehogs in a winter standoff. Even if they crossed

000000

paths, they could not avoid hurting each other.

"Fine, fine, fine," Evangeline spat out each word, her voice hard as she emptied her suitcase, leaving behind only the two outfits she had brought when she first arrived years ago.

"Take a good look, these are mine from before. The rest, you can use them as kindling to keep warm this

winter."

Evangeline was a fortress of defiance, every inch of her on edge.

The tension in the room dropped to an icy low.

Evangeline was the first to ever speak to him like that.

She longed to be away from him, but Walter was not having any of it.

In the tussle, he seized her wrist and pinned her against the wall, his breath a chilling contrast, burning against her ear.

"Want to leave? Go ahead, after you peel off every piece of the Gordon family you're wearing," he demanded, lifting her chin.

Evangeline's eyes blazed with scorn, unyielding. "Walter, do you hear yourself? Your sweetheart's just downstairs. You really want me to strip right now?"

It was more than a challenge, it was a humiliation.

Was this because of the slaps she had given Julia?

Walter's expression was frigid, his jaw set. "Yes! Strip. It's what you're good at, isn't it?"

Evangeline got the message, her laugh frosty. "Alright, then let go."

Walter did, his eyes never leaving her as she slowly unzipped her black dress.

The silky fabric whispered as it slid to the floor.

Her pale skin was a vision of delicate beauty, her symmetrical thighs and the graceful curves of her body barely contained by the skimpy lingerie. With a defiant tilt of her chin, she was the picture of wounded pride. Overcome with anger, she scrunched up the skirt in her hands and flung it at Walter's face. "Here, you can have it! Keep it for yourself!"

She just could not bring herself to remove the last two pieces.

Once done, she would open the door and walk out for good.

At that moment, Walter was enveloped by her fragrance.

Through the sheer fabric of the skirt, he could make out the glow of her skin, the gentle swell of her abdomen, her pretty navel, and the defined lines of her abdominal muscles.

He watched as Evangeline turned to leave, her hand on the doorknob.

Walter felt a surge of heat rush through him.

Evangeline fully intended to walk out like that!

34

He grimly pulled the skirt from his head.

He swiftly closed the gap between them. With a resounding thud, his palm hit the door, blocking her exit.