Last time, when Soren spoke up for Evangeline, Clyde had chalked it up to a momentary lapse–a fit of impulsiveness, nothing more. 

But now, it was clear this was no coincidence. 

Maybe his son wasn’t as indifferent to Evangeline as everyone assumed. 

That thought led Clyde’s mind back to something else. 

After Evangeline’s mother passed away, the Fawkes and Whitmore 

had 

met, as agreed, to discuss the engagement between their children. At the time, the Whitmores brought Giselle. 

Everyone could see right through the Whitmores‘ intentions. 

Soren had always resented this forced arrangement. That resentment spilled over into his feelings for Evangeline, so in a fit of defiance, he insisted on marrying. Giselle. 

But the night before the wedding, Soren disappeared for hours, shrouded in mystery, and didn’t return until morning. 

The next day, when Giselle failed to make it to the ceremony due to some “unexpected accident,” the Whitmores promptly substituted Evangeline as the 

bride. 

After raising his son for so many years, Clyde knew exactly what was going through Soren’s mind. 

He understood, though he simply smiled and kept his thoughts to himself. 

“Is Soren really going through with this?” Flora asked. The family meeting had just ended when Poppy called, and Flora filled her in on everything. Poppy hesitated, 

stunned for a moment. 

Maybe, after everything that had happened, she wasn’t as shocked as before. 

Still, she was almost certain–Soren’s heart wasn’t completely closed off to Evangeline. 

Flora scoffed, “Yeah, who knows what my brother’s thinking this time? It’s such a big deal, and he lets Evangeline handle it? Maybe she slipped him some kind of love potion and made him fall for her.” 

At the mention of potions, Poppy pressed her lips together and said nothing. 

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Flora noticed her silence and hurried to reassure her. “Poppy, don’t be mad, okay? There are still a few days before Grandma’s birthday. For all we know, my brother might change his mind tomorrow.” 

Poppy nodded, giving a soft “Mm.” 

But she knew Soren–once he made up his mind, there was no turning back. 

Her thoughts drifted to that text Evangeline had sent her. 

It wasn’t just simple provocation. 

Evangeline must have already been whispering in Soren’s ear, talking about Grandma Fawkes’s upcoming birthday. 

Soren might have acted indifferent, but anyone with eyes could see that the woman. on his arm at the celebration would be the one he considered the future Mrs. Fawkes. 

Once Poppy realized that, a pang of regret struck her. 

She’d been so caught up in her project these days, she hadn’t found the time to ask. Flora about any of this. 

But Flora was right. There were still a few days until Grandma Fawkes’s birthday. 

Knowing now was better than not knowing at all. 

Meanwhile- 

Lily returned home, anxiety weighing on her. 

Evangeline had managed to develop a new product in just a month. The achievement unsettled Lily; even if Evangeline hadn’t sought revenge today, it was only because the opportunity hadn’t presented itself. 

If Lily slipped up, Evangeline would never let her off the hook. 

If she’d known things would turn out this way, she never would’ve gotten on Evangeline’s bad side. 

That regret gnawed at her as the smell of dinner wafted from the kitchen. Her boyfriend Frank, handsome as ever, poked his head out from behind the stove, grinning. “Hey, babe, you’re home!” 

At the sight of Frank, Lily’s mood lifted a little. 

Chapter 150 

She raised an eyebrow, teasing, “What’s this? Did the sun rise in the west today? Did you get a promotion or a raise?” 

Frank ducked his head, a little sheepish. “Nah, it’s just… I felt bad about the gift I got you last time, so I figured I’d make dinner to make it up to you.” 

The mention of the gift made Lily feel a little guilty herself. 

She hadn’t known about Evangeline’s situation before, and that was why she’d snapped at Frank.