Unmasking the Heiress

apter 68

Back when Evangeline had devoted her heart to him, Walter had not cared much. However, seeing her dismiss him so casually, he felt an unexpected urge to win her

over.

Walter settled himself on a couch, deciding not to leave ju vet.

The bathroom door was steamed up, yet through the haze, the outline of a woman's alluring figure was still visible.

Walter felt an unexpected tightness in his throat, and his gaze grew shadowed.

He could not deny it; that woman had caught his attention more times than he cared to admit.

Restless heat surged within him, and he grabbed a glass of water from nearby, taking a gulp to quell the rising irritation.

Evangeline emerged from her bath shortly after, draped in a robe, dabbing at her wet hair. She paused when she saw Walter, still seated like a statue, and her brows knit together in a frown. "Why are you still here?"

The man who had once bolted at the slightest hint of her flirtations was shamelessly lingering.

Ignoring him, she sat down and started blow-drying her hair.

Walter observed her for a moment before speaking up, "If you're not going to make amends for the losses to the Gordon family, then at least remember who you are. As long as you bear the title of Mrs. Walter Gordon, even for a day, act the part!" Evangeline's hold on the hairdryer grew firmer, her anger rising. He demanded she act the part of Mrs. Walter Gordon, but when had he ever played his role as a husband?

Her temper was about to flare when her phone, lying nearby, rang out. She snatched it up, her voice laced with annoyance, "Hello?"

A courteous voice responded, "Good day, Ms. Evangeline. I am the attorney representing the senior Mr. Gordon. We've met before."

Recognition dawned on Evangeline. She remembered him.

Her voice settled into a calm, "Why the late call? What's up?"

"The thing is, your grandfather wants you to come by tomorrow to sign the share

transfer contract."

Evangeline sharply caught the piercing look from the man next to her as it swept her

way.

She inwardly scoffed. He was really hung up on that.

"No way," she said, cutting him off.

She had no desire to keep playing by Walter's rules. Signing that contract would probably mean putting up with more of his manipulative games.

The lawyer sounded unsure as he responded, "Miss, your grandfather's health is failing, and he's really counting on this. Please, try to understand and give him some peace." The line went dead for a moment, then the lawyer heard a soft sigh.

"Fine." Evangeline gave in.

Walter, listening in, kept his face expressionless, as stoic as ever.

After she hung up, Evangeline dried her hair and got ready for bed. She glanced at the jerk beside her and arched an eyebrow. "I'm hitting the sack. Make yourself scarce."

Her dismissive tone clearly irked him.

Walter's lips twisted into a smug grin. "This is my place. Why shouldn't I sleep here?"

The speechless Evangeline could do nothing but glare at him.

"Fine! Fine!" she snapped, not in the mood to bicker. She grabbed her blanket and

climbed into bed.

After all, Walter had never taken the bait when she had tried to tempt him before. Letting him stay the night would not change a thing.

With that thought, Evangeline let it go and drifted off to a deep sleep.

Walter's gaze lingered on her as she walked away. After a long moment, he stretched out on the couch, his mind a whirl of confusion over his stubborn desire to remain.

The night deepened, the room steeped in silence, both of them lost in a deep slumber.

213

Then, Evangeline's eyes fluttered open. She glanced over at the couch and saw Walter's silhouette.

He had not left after all.

Late autumn's chill crept into the room despite the hum of the air conditioner. Walter, tall and usually so composed, was huddled on the small couch, looking unexpectedly vulnerable in the cool night air. Evangeline shut her eyes tight, trying to block out the image that had just unsettled her, but her thoughts were a tangled mess.

She sat up abruptly, whispering fiercely to herself, "I owe you one. Happy now?"

She grabbed a small blanket from the nearby cabinet, determined to drape it over Walter.

Once she had tucked the blanket around him, she crouched by the couch, studying the man before her.

Despite his usual gruff demeanor, Evangeline sighed softly. There was no denying he had a certain charm, a natural grace that even his bad moods could not overshadow.

His features were striking, his presence always a bit aloof. His lips, usually set in at thin line, seemed to hold back a world of secrets.

She was lost in thought, watching him, when a frosty voice broke the silence.

"Seen enough?"