Evangeline stared after the luxury car, bewilderment clouding her features as it slowly pulled away and disappeared from sight. 

“Mr. Fawkes…” Gregory hesitated from the driver’s seat, glancing in the rearview 

mirror. 

He could see Soren’s expression–hard, unreadable. Finally, Gregory couldn’t help himself. “Sir, maybe you should go back and talk to Miss Whitmore.” 

Both he and Mr. Fawkes had seen the man–seen him enter Miss Whitmore’s house and later leave. Thankfully, the curtains hadn’t been drawn; through the window, their silhouettes were visible. There had been no impropriety, only dinner. Still, Gregory had noticed how Soren’s face had darkened, his mood colder than ice. 

At Gregory’s suggestion, Soren shot him a cool glance, his long fingers tapping idly on the leather upholstery. He said nothing. 

What was there to discuss? Should he ask her why she’d moved out–was it just to make it easier to see other men? Or should he command her to move back in and never see that man again? Either way, he’d be playing straight into her hands. 

He gave a quiet, humorless laugh. When he’d first seen that man, he’d been angry. But the feeling had quickly faded, replaced by the realization that this was just another one of Evangeline’s games. 

The reason was obvious: she wanted to make him jealous. She was retaliating because he’d brought Poppy back to the Fawkes estate. 

After all, in Serenity City, he was at the top–both in family and in personal accomplishments. In five years of marriage, Evangeline had only ever been surrounded by men like him; how could she possibly be interested in anyone else? 

Since Soren stayed silent, Gregory tried again. “Sir, maybe it’s not my place, but I really think you ought to sit down with Miss Whitmore and talk things through. Bet honest with each other.” 

Soren snorted. “There’s nothing to talk about–just the same old tricks.” 

She’d been pulling these stunts more and more lately. She must really fear he’d get back together with Poppy. 

At this rate, he’d have to warn her: these little games wouldn’t keep him around–in fact, they only pushed him further away. 

1/2 

Chapter 56 

“But…” Gregory hesitated, then pressed on quietly, “what if–just what if–Miss Whitmore really does leave you, sir?” 

Soren didn’t even pause. “That’s impossible.” 

“And anyway, marriage isn’t just a piece of paper. From the moment she and her mother schemed to get that marriage license, whether she leaves or not isn’t up to her. She can only leave with my permission.” His voice was cold, final. “And right. now, I’m not permitting it.” 

Gregory fell silent. 

He hadn’t spent much time with Evangeline, but even he knew how much she cared for Mr. Fawkes. She was always looking out for him: making home–cooked meals and sending them to the office because of his sensitive stomach; coming by late at night, waiting for him to finish his overtime, sometimes bringing his favorite snacks. Even though Soren rarely showed her kindness–often snapping at her–Evangeline would always bounce back quickly, never letting it get her down for long. 

When Soren had called her an outsider and forbade her from entering the office, she hadn’t protested. She simply waited outside instead, day after day, continuing to care for him in her quiet way. 

But now, Gregory realized, it had been a long time since Miss Whitmore had shown up at the office at all. 

He shared his thoughts with Soren, who seemed to consider it for a moment before replying, voice flat, “If she’s playing hard to get, she has to keep up the act, doesn’t she?” 

Gregory still felt unsettled, wanting to say more, but Soren made it clear the conversation was over. 

Chapter 57 

Chapter 57