Unmasking the Heiress

'Wasn't Evangeline's maternal grandfather supposed to be tucked away in the mountains of Sapphire City? When did he and Grandpa become such good friends?' thought Walter.

He had just heard his grandfather bring him up, and Evangeline had quickly changed the subject.

Something told him they were keeping a big secret from him.

Walter, intent on proving a point, rose to his feet with a calculated slowness. He casually adjusted his collar, a deliberate move that showcased his sculpted, golden chest.

His tailored black pants hugged his long legs, and the crisp white shirt accentuated his chiseled features- an air of unmatched elegance about him.

With a hand nonchalantly tucked in his pocket, he sauntered past them, pausing by the expansive window.

Bathed in the outside light, he looked like a model, his proportions almost painfully perfect, his looks top-tier. It was as if he were a god emerging from the glow.

Evangeline was taken aback. Walter, who never paid her any mind, was suddenly interested in her call with her maternal grandfather.

If glares could turn lethal, Walter would be riddled with holes from Evangeline's piercing stare.

She did not want Cole to meet him just yet, but there he was, hogging the limelight. The guy just could not help showing off, like a grasshopper in the fall, always bouncing into the spotlight.

Walter's little act did not go unnoticed. Cole had spotted him, the striking figure he was behind Evangeline.

"Is... Is that Walter?" asked Cole, leaning into the camera in excitement and disbelief.

Before Evangeline could hush him, Walter turned, feigning surprise, as if he had just realized they were talking about him on the screen.

He strode over languidly and leaned in, his shirt tracing the powerful arch of his back. He reached around to gently pull Evangeline close, nearly enveloping her in his presence, his masculine scent surrounding her. Evangeline's heart raced as she felt the steady thump of his heartbeat and the warm whisper of his breath tickling her ear. Annoyed, she turned her head, only to accidentally brush her lips against his. Heat flooded her cheeks, and her mind reeled.

What was Walter playing at? She had to stay strong, not get lost in the allure of the moment, especially after all the pain he had put her through.

Walter, on the other hand, seemed unfazed, his eyes a calm sea of indifference. It was obvious he did not care. After all, she was not his beloved Julia.

Biting back her frustration, Evangeline clenched her fists and maintained her composure.

If she were not in the middle of a video call with her grandfather, she would have stormed out right then

and there.

Walter, shameless as ever, casually draped an arm around her and talked to Cole as if nothing was amiss.

"You must be Evie's grandfather, yes? It's so good to finally meet you! Evie has told me so much about you, and I've been looking forward to visiting. We were just talking about coming to see you tomorrow," On the screen, Cole looked nothing like the country farmer the rumors painted him to be. Clad in a soft yellow shirt, his kind face and elegant presence were framed by a backdrop of books on a classic bookshell.

Walter was meeting Cole for the first time, but Cole had seen his granddaughter's husband in photos.

Seeing the couple together, looking so well-

matched, Cole's smile grew. The sight seemed to have uplifted him. "When Evie mentioned marriage out of the blue, I hadn't met you and was a bit worried. However, seeing how close you two are, I feel much at ease. Come over tomorrow, and I'll give you the wedding gif "You shouldn't worry about gifts, Grandpa. It's our job to bring them to you," said Evangeline with a playful pout. She was on the brink of leaving Walter, and she was not about to let him score any points then.

"Haha, I just love it when we all get together. It's you two this time, but next time, you better bring me a great-grandkid!" He chuckled.

"Of course, Grandpa," said Walter, staring tenderly at Evangeline's silky black hair, his eyes filled with unspoken thoughts.

Beneath the table, out of sight, Evangeline pinched Walter's thigh hard. She shot him a fierce look that could have frozen lava. 1

The nerve of him! As if she would ever want kids with him!

Walter gasped, the pain cutting through any pretense, and he caught her hand, pinning it to the table." That's quite the grip. Didn't anyone tell you some places are off-limits?"

His voice was a low rumble, his eyes glinting with a dark allure.

Evangeline's face flushed with anger and the struggle to free herself. "Spouting nonsense, are we?" she

hissed.

"What nonsense?" he shot back.

To anyone watching, they were the picture of a couple deeply in love.

Cole watched the scene unfold, feeling that something was off. "What's this about nonsense, Walter? You two have been avoiding kids? Evie, don't tell me it's you who's not interested?" Evangeline clamped her mouth shut, her lips pressed into a thin line. How could she even begin to explain?NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.

Blaming Walter would reveal their issues. Admitting her reluctance would only make her the bad guy.

Before she could say a word, Walter jumped in with his usual charm. "Grandpa, Evie's still got plenty of time. I just wanted her to have a bit more fun before we settled down, so we weren't rushing into anything. "How could you not rush?"

"Don't worry, Grandpa. You'll be hearing great news from me soon."

Evangeline kept her cool, worried that if her grandfather and Walter kept at it, things would spiral into an argument with no way back. (1)

Cole chuckled at her words. "Is that so? Well, I'll be eagerly waiting!"

"Time to rest up, Grandpa. You need your sleep!"

With that, Evangeline ended the call and shoved Walter aside. "You did that on purpose, didn't you, Walter?

Walter stumbled back, his stance relaxed and easy, yet his dark eyes gleamed intensely.

He remained unflappable, casually fixing the tie she had just rumpled. "What did I do? I was just showing proper respect to an elder, that's all."

Evangeline ignored the heat flushing her ears, too annoyed to engage with him. She rose from the couch and strode out of the study without a backward glance.

Her heels clicked decisively against the floor, each step radiating her fierce desire to escape Walter's presence and get some fresh air.

Walter was left without so much as a parting look.

His expression hardened, and he yanked at his tie, determined to follow her.