Chapter 201
Tonight, the entire hotel had been reserved by the Fawkes family. The lower three floors were set aside as lounges for the general guests, while the upper levels were divided into private suites for each of the attending families.
The Fawkes family’s suite occupied the very top floor.
It was in one of these rooms that Soren had arranged for her evening gown.
Evangeline took the elevator up. As soon as the doors slid open, she saw Glenn standing in the hallway, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, one hand propping up his elbow while the thumb of the other hovered near his lips, as if he were biting it in thought.
It had been a long time since she’d seen Glenn like this.
He only ever adopted that posture when he was troubled or forced into tense social situations–his way of coping with stress.
Something must have happened.
Evangeline was about to approach when Glenn, as if making up his mind, dropped his hand, turned sharply, and strode toward the elevator.
Their eyes met the moment he looked up.
Glenn’s steps faltered.
“Is there trouble at UME?” Evangeline asked.
“No.” Glenn’s reply was even, but his gaze lingered on her, frowning. “What happened to your clothes?”
Evangeline glanced down at her soaked dress.
Maybe she’d been caught in awkward situations in front of Glenn too many times, because she didn’t feel embarrassed anymore.
She didn’t hold anything back and recounted everything that had happened: the divorce with Soren, his inexplicable act of throwing her ring away, Poppy nearly pushing her into the water, and how Finn Lockridge had pulled her to safety.
“But in the end, it turned out alright. I’m safe, and I didn’t lose the keepsake my mother left me.”
Evangeline gripped the ring in her hand, still feeling a chill run through her as she
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remembered.
Glenn paused, his eyes falling to the ring. “That’s
Evangeline nodded.
your mother’s?”
The realization dawned on Glenn.
It wasn’t from Soren.
And not from another man, either.
But before he could feel any relief, the memory of what he’d seen earlier in the lobby flashed through his mind.
“I saw you with Finn just now…” Glenn hesitated, words catching in his throat.
Evangeline already understood what he wanted to ask.
She had planned to tell him, and now that he’d brought it up, she nodded. “I’m with him.”
Glenn’s last hope died away. “Because of Victor Lockridge?”
“Yes.” Evangeline met his gaze. “And, just like me, Finn has his reasons for being with me.”
What those reasons were, she still didn’t know, but it hardly mattered. She needed to use Finn.
“Finn’s a player. None of his girlfriends ever last longer than a month,” Glenn said quietly.
Evangeline nodded. “I know. That’s why being with him works for me. I don’t have to think too much, or worry about the future.”
She had no intention of keeping up this charade for long, but as long as Finn was by her side, she didn’t have to live in fear of Victor.
She’d already weighed her options before agreeing to this.
There was one thing she didn’t say aloud.
It wasn’t just about Victor.
There was also UME.
After Evangeline had turned down Fawkes Enterprises‘ investment, Soren was
furious. Glenn, too, had suffered Soren’s wrath simply because of his association
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Chapter 201
with her. Evangeline was certain Soren would eventually come after UME.
Soren was ruthless–a seasoned businessman who’d crushed countless competitors. She doubted UME could withstand the blow.
She had to move fast, to secure UME’s footing in Serenity City.
And until then, with Finn as UME’s top investor, she needed him firmly on their side.
Glenn couldn’t know all that. He listened to her explanation, lips parting as if to say something, but in the end, he swallowed his words about returning to the Carlisles.
Instead, he stepped forward and pulled her into a hug, gently patting her back. “Whatever happens, I’ll support your choices,” he said softly.
When she needed it, he’d clear a path for her.
After Glenn left, Evangeline returned to the suite and took a long, hot shower.
She changed into the gown prepared by the Fawkes family, then made her way downstairs.
The grand ballroom of the seven–star hotel was dazzling, filled with guests in elegant eveningwear, their laughter and conversation echoing with effortless grace.
But as Evangeline entered through the main doors, she could still feel the eyes on her–some mocking, some waiting to see a show.
She’d grown used to it long ago and paid them no mind.
Her indifference only emboldened the onlookers.
People whispered behind their champagne glasses, speculating whether tonight would bring the official announcement of her divorce from Soren.
The rumors of their split had been swirling for weeks, especially after Evangeline’s sudden appearance at UME’s press conference.
Everyone knew about the rivalry between Fawkes Enterprises and UME.
So, it wasn’t surprising that most people had already made up their minds–the divorce was all but confirmed.
Yet, all this time, the Fawkes family had kept silent. No statements, no confirmations, keeping everyone on edge.
Soren’s friends had gathered in a circle, eagerly joining the speculation.
“Liam Leigh, you’re close with Soren. Got any inside scoop? Are he and Evangeline
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Chapter 201
really getting divorced?” one man asked, turning to Liam with anticipation.
