Unmasking the Heiress

Walter's hot breath cascaded down Evangeline's neck, his chest pounding against her bare back.

"So you're just going to walk out? is streaking your thing now?

She would rather go naked than stay?

Evangeline fought back. "Let go! You're the one who told me to undress, or do you think I should strip off the last two pieces as well?"

She held back her feelings, her voice low and tense, "Walter, do you have any idea how despicable you

are

Walter's face was drawn tight, the friction between them making him uncomfortable. He clenched his jaw and kept his composure.

Then, he picked up a trench coat from the pile of discarded clothes and draped it over her shoulders from

behind.

"Go ahead and leave if that's what you want. Nobody's stopping you. Once you're out that door, though, you can forget about the Gordon family's shares!"

Evangeline turned, her fiery gaze blazing beneath a tangle of hair. "Are you out of your mind? We're getting a divorce and splitting assets. Those shares were a gift from Grandpa. Why on earth would I give them up? Let me make this crystal clear: I want every last dime!" Walter's expression turned to stone. "Fine, if that's how you want it, we might as well be stuck with each other forever. You think you can use the Gordon fortune to bankroll some new guy? Dream on, Evangeline!Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

With a surge of fury, Evangeline shoved Walter back, her neck arching gracefully. "We'll just see about that. You don't actually believe your hotshot lawyers can take down James, do you?"

The mere mention of James set off a wildfire inside Walter.

He loomed over her, his eyes piercing through the darkness. "What's going on between you and James?"

"Take a wild guess," she shot back.

Walter's voice was icy, each word seemingly slicing through the air. "He never handles divorce cases. Why would he come down from his high horse for you? And for him to throw money at you without a second thought... Are you two...?"

Before Evangeline could storm out, Walter's grip tightened around her waist. However, in a flash, his face contorted in pain.

Oof!

Evangeline's metal-tipped heel had found its mark, and though her own toe throbbed, Walter's pain was surely worse. "Jerk!" She kicked him off, snatched her suitcase, and stormed out.

She must have been blind to fall for a man like him-seemingly upright, dripping with wealth and charm,

yet beneath it all, the worst kind of scoundrel.

No one in Halcyonia had ever dared treat her that way

If Evangeline even thought about looking back, she would not be herself.

Back in the living room below, Julia had not left yet.

Aria was all smiles, holding Julia's hand, growing fonder by the second.

The young woman before her would make such a perfect daughter-in-law. She was a vision of beauty, with a gentle nature, well-read and polite-a stark contrast to that coarse village woman who could not hold a candle to her, always ready with a sharp tongue. Together, they looked like a true family. (1

Julia's mother, Lydia, spotted Evangeline descending the stairs, suitcase in tow, draped in a coat. The flush on Evangeline's cheeks was too bright, her hair a tousled mess, and her mood was clearly off.

Lydia's face clouded over, and with a biting tone laced with mock concern, she said, "Oh, look who's coming down. Evie, you look terrible, like you're on the verge of tears."

Her words dripped with false pity, but the scorn and glee on her face were as plain as day. (1)

Evangeline did not give her the time of day. Lydia and her daughter Julia were nothing but a sickening pair.

Lydia, however, could not stand Evangeline's air of superiority.

Ever since she had married into the Rearden family, Evangeline had always ignored her. Despite being cast out from the Gordons, she strutted around like a proud swan. Why should she, a simple country girl, act so high and mighty? Her daughter, Julis was the one who deserved to be seen as the graceful swan!

Lydia, feeling snubbed, refused to back down. "Evie, did you and Walter split up? It's no big deal if Walter doesn't want you anymore. After all, you're a Rearden. Why don't you return to the Reardens' with me later? Evangeline's path was blocked, and she found herself face to face with Lydia, who was clearly enjoying the little performance.

As Lydia prattled on, she paused to twirl a lock of her artificially curled hair. "Oh, Evie, silly me, I totally spaced on telling you-Julia's taken over your old room. Our place isn't exactly sprawling, and we've got to have space for the nanny. 1 "But hey, if you're thinking of crashing here, I can spruce up the storage room for you. No windows, but hey, it's roomy. A palace compared to your grandpa's rustic digs, I bet."

The insult was so naked, so raw, Evangeline's fingers itched to gag Lydia with her suitcase. Regardless, she kept her cool.

Her expression was frosty as she towered over Lydia. "Cut the 'mom' act, you home-wrecker. Who do you think you are? And just so we're clear, I've cut ties with the Reardens. Whatever my mom left behind, I'll be able to pick it up soon. 2/4

"Oh, and that house you're squatting in? That's my mom's legacy. You've got a week to clear out. If you don't, well, you've been warned."

She had swallowed her anger before, all for Walter's sake, and to spare her grandfather the heartache of her mother's messy legacy. However, she was done keeping it all in. Done with all of it.

Julia, sensing the storm brewing, stepped forward with a quiver in her voice, "Mom, let's not get Evie riled up. Also, you can't talk to mom like that. We're family, after all. If it's bothering you, just take my room, okay?" Evangeline cackled, her gaze dripping with contempt as she eyed the slap mark on Julia's face. "Zip it, Julia. Did those slaps not sting enough? And since you've put yourself in the spotlight, let me give you a little heads- up. Don't get ahead of yourself. Even if I'm over playing house with the Gordons, you're not even in the running."

"What are you implying?" Julia's voice trembled, tears welling up and reddening her eyes as she stepped

closer,

However, as she drew near, she noticed the nothingness beneath Evangeline's coat. She also took in the disheveled state of Evangeline's attire and that alluring look in her eyes.

Walter was upstairs, too.

What on earth had just happened?

Evangeline's gaze met hers, her red lips parting as if to crush Julia's dreams. "Even if Walter can't resist you, you'll only ever be his dirty little secret. A child born from an affair will always be kept in the dark!" "What are you trying to pull?" Julia's heart raced, reaching out to grab her.

Evangeline's frown deepened, her coat barely on as she shrugged off Julia's grasp. She was eager to

leave.

"You'll see soon enough!"

As Julia stood there, dumbstruck, Evangeline turned away apathetically and descended the stairs. She carried herself with a pride that seemed to dismiss everyone around her as beneath her notice.

As Evangeline made her exit, suitcase in tow, Aria could not help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She approached Julia with a comforting smile. "Don't worry about Evangeline. She's always been too full of herself. Once she's out of the Gordon family, she'll have nothing be

"You, Julia, are the one we want. With me by your side, you're the only one who could be the future Mrs. Walter Gordon. Evangeline has no say in it, and I'll rest easy knowing my son Walter has someone as attentive as you to look after him."

"Exactly, Julia," Lydia chimed in, nodding vigorously and shooting Julia an encouraging glance." Evangeline and Walter are through. He's got to be in a rough spot right now. Why don't you go up and

check on him?"

"Mdm. Gordon," said Julia, her voice laced with urgency. She was eager to go upstairs, to find out what had transpired there just moments before. Chapter 14

"Go ahead, Julia. Help talk some sense into him. I'd be grateful," Aria urged her on.

With Aria's blessing, Julia gathered her skirt and hurried up the stairs.