Chapter 189
“How could this be?”
A cold sweat broke out along Evangeline’s spine.
Her knees buckled beneath her, and Glenn caught her just in time, steadying her with a firm hand. “The Carlisles found this at Serenity City’s beach,” he said gently. “Maybe Tessa just dropped it by accident.”
“No, that’s impossible.” Evangeline shook her head, panic rising in her voice. “This earring meant more to Tessa than her own life. Even if she’d lost it, she would have moved heaven and earth to get it back. Unless…”
A dreadful thought crashed through her mind, making her chest tighten painfully.
Ever since Theresa left, this same fear would rear its head again and
again.
There were moments she bitterly regretted her part in it all–moments she wished she hadn’t helped Theresa escape. If she hadn’t, the Whitmore family wouldn’t have suffered Victor’s vengeance, wouldn’t have ended up in ruins.
Theresa might not have gotten the marriage she wanted, but at least she’d be safe–at least she wouldn’t be missing, her fate unknown.
But whenever guilt threatened to drown her, Evangeline couldn’t help but remember the image of Theresa’s gaunt, pale face, the way she’d sobbed and begged for help.
Her eyes stung with tears.
Glenn seemed to sense what she was thinking. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, offering what comfort he could.
“We don’t know the full story yet,” he said quietly. “But this can’t stay hidden for long. Evangeline, you know what kind of madman he is. You need to be careful, especially now…”
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Chapter 189
The thought of Victor Lockridge sent a chill down her spine–Victor, who had carved his way to the Lockridge inheritance in a trail of blood, whose ruthlessness was legendary.
She trembled, unable to stop herself.
She remembered all the times Victor had cornered her over the years, desperate to find out who’d helped Theresa escape. But as the
daughter–in–law of the Fawkes family, he’d always held back, never pushing too far.
But if she got divorced, if she lost the Fawkes name…
Her breath quickened, panic rising in her chest.
Before she could think any further, a strong hand seized her arm, yanking
her backward.
Caught off guard, Evangeline stumbled, nearly falling. When she looked up, she met Soren Fawkes’s icy gaze. He shot Glenn a murderous glare before turning his cold eyes to her.
“Mr. Carlisle,” Soren’s voice was like steel, “do you really think the Fawkes family is dead and buried, that you can wrap your arms around my wife at my grandmother’s birthday celebration?”
Only then did Evangeline realize–Soren thought Glenn was making a
move on her.
She shoved at him without hesitation, trying to break free.
But Soren must have anticipated her. His grip only tightened.
“Let go, Soren. We’re already-”
Before she could finish, his fingers dug harder into her arm.
Tears sprang to her eyes from the pain.
Finally, Soren loosened his hold, but still dragged her swiftly toward the exit.
Glenn started after them, but Evangeline waved him off, silently telling
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Chapter 189
him to stay put.
She knew Soren’s hostility toward Glenn, and understood how badly he’d misread what had happened. If Glenn followed, it would only make things
worse.
Soren hauled her out to the edge of the hotel grounds, stopping by the lakeshore where no one else was in sight.
Only then did he let go.
Evangeline glanced down; red marks were already blooming on her wrist. She rubbed at them gently.
Soren’s eyes flickered to the bruise, and for a moment, his lips parted as if to say something. But in the end, he stayed silent.
“Soren, we-”
He cut her off before she could finish, his voice low and sharp.
We?
Was she talking about herself and Glenn? Since when did she refer to the
two of them as “we“?
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. “I don’t care what’s going on between you two,” he said coldly. “Just answer me this–do you still want to be Mrs. Fawkes, or not?”
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