Unmasking the Heiress

Chapter 11

Inside the study at that very moment....

Evangeline sat on the leather sofa, massaging Trey's shoulders with a sense of remorse. "Grandpa, I'm sorry. It's a New Year, and I'm still causing you worry."

Trey gently patted Evangeline's hand, his expression tender and assuring. "I'm well aware of the situation between you and Walter. You weren't too upset when you came up, were you? This boy has been the one to wrong you over the years, and even your mother-in- law has been deceived. But rest assured, Julia won't get into the Gordon family. Not on my watch. To me, you'll always be Mrs. Walter Gordon."

The soft light of early spring sneaked through the window, bathing her fair and lovely skin, making it glow like fine porcelain.

Just as she was about to object, Trey continued, "Evie, I've decided to transfer forty percent of the company's shares to you. How does that sound? I had set it aside for you and Walter's little family, but since he's been such a disappointment, I'm putting it all in your name. way, he won't dare mistreat you again, much less think about divorce." Trey knew better than anyone Evangeline's true standing within the Gordon family.

There was a time when she shone with life, unapologetically bold, fearless of anything and everything, the darling of the Foster family, adored by all. However, in the Gordon household, she turned into a shadow of herself, quiet and submissive, all to win Walter's favor. Trey could not stomach the way she was treated in the Gordon family.

Evangeline knew she had not misunderstood.

Walter had told her to leave with nothing, but Trey? He entrusted her with all his shares. What a massive display of trust.

Did he not worry she would just take the money and run, leaving Walter and everything else in shambles?

Evangeline did not want Walter's pity or the guilt-driven handouts from his grandfather. She wanted Walter's fortune, his Strata King Group's wealth. Walter was the one who owed her, not his grandfather.

She was about to voice her decline when someone interrupted her.

"No." A frigid, deep voice cut through the silence as the door swung open, ushering in a wave of frostiness. Walter stood there, tall and foreboding, his face a stormy shadow.

His words were icy, each cutting deep, "The old guard of the board would never let the Gordon family's legacy fall into the hands of an outsider."

Walter's piercing gaze fixed on Evangeline, his words sharp as needles, "Thought you couldn't squeeze a dime out of me? So you went after Grandpa?"

That explained her sudden willingness to come back home.

Scoffing at the thought, she braced herself for the confrontation.

Evangeline had to stifle a laugh. After years of toiling for the Gordon family, being the perfect wife, she was still seen as an outsider in his eyes.

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Chapter

The livid Trey slammed his cup down, sending coffee flying in all directions.

"Shut it, kid! Evie is your lawfully wedded wife. How can you say such things? I'm ashamed of you.

"Listen up, I've made up my mind about the inheritance. If you don't give me a grandson with Evie, I'm giving it all to her. You're too busy enjoying yourself, ignoring the family's needs and scorning your birthright. And bringing that Julia into our home, just to provoke me? Yo Walter's face turned stone-cold at the rebuke. He stood there, his piercing gaze fixed on Evangeline, his imposing presence suddenly icy.

Walter's humiliation was a sweet victory for Evangeline. If she took over as the Gordon family's heir, she would be the one calling the shots. Walter would have to bow down to her.

How would he save his dignity? What would become of Julia's little scheme?

The thought made her chuckle. The inheritance did not seem like such a burden after all.

Once upon a time, their grandfathers had dreamed of a grand union through their marriage, combining their fortunes to forge an even stronger legacy. Alas, it seemed they were on the brink of going their separate ways.

Evangeline seemed caught in a wave of emotion, hesitating to accept the offer. Trey, sensing her reluctance, cut straight to the chase. "Evie, you have to take it. I'll have the lawyer come by in a few days to finalize everything. If you refuse to accept this, I'll spill your secrets Evangeline fell silent.

That was an outright threat! The last thing she wanted was for the elderly man to spill her secrets to Walter.

Back in the day, Walter could not have cared less about her, and she had gotten by just fine without his attention.

However, she figured it was best to keep things simple. After she divorced Walter, she could leave the Gordons for good and get back to her own life, no strings attached.

Even so, she could not deny the guilty pleasure of watching Walter's crestfallen face. The thought of Julia's shattered dreams brought a mischievous smile to her lips.

She looked at Walter with a challenging gleam in her eyes. "Fine, if Grandpa insists on giving, I won't say no. Thanks, Grandpa."

Walter's response was a chilling, mocking laugh. His face was as rigid as ice, his eyes piercing. He did not say a word, but the air around him felt heavy with unspoken threats. Evangeline, unfazed, stood with her arms folded and an eyebrow raised, meeting his gaze head-on.

Their eyes were locked in a silent battle of wills.

Evangeline's gaze was icy, ensnaring. Walter's was a dark abyss.

Just then, her phone buzzed with an incoming video call.

+25 BC

It was from her maternal grandpa, Cole. She had been giving Trey a shoulder rub earlier, and her phone! on the desk, within his view.

Trey's eyes twinkled with mischief as he saw the caller ID. "Evie, pick up. Your old man's making his rounds," he said with a sly grin.

Evangeline had only come back to appease Cole's routine checks.

Little did she expect Walter, the human equivalent of wa third wheel, to be there.

She could not help but wonder what Cole would make of that situation.

Left with no other option, she took a deep breath and grabbed her phone.

"What's Evie up to?" Cole's voice came through the phone, warm and commanding.

It was a video call, and Evangeline awkwardly pointed the camera at herself and Trey.

"I'm just giving Grandpa Trey a massage, Grandpa. I've missed you."

Life had been a whirlwind of chaos, and she had been dodging Cole, partly because she dreaded the inevitable baby talk with Walter. It had been ages since their last chat.

As she secretly worked on her big plans, Evangeline could not shake off a little guilt.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

"Ha, you always say you miss me, but you never bring Walter over. You've been married for ages, and I haven't even met my granddaughter's husband," said Cole with mock annoyance. Ever since his daughter Yessica passed away, Cole, the legendary business mogul, had saved all his softness for his only granddaughter.

"Oh, don't trouble Evie. I'm the one keeping her busy brewing coffee. And you, old man, don't even think about snatching her away!" Trey declared, staking his claim.

Cole and Trey were more than friends. They were brothers in arms, something Walter was clueless abou He had never bothered to find out.

Evangeline, Trey, and Cole laughed and chatted in front of the camera, a perfect picture of family warmth completely ignoring Walter. It was as if the tension had simply vanished. Walter's expression darkened ominously.