“No need,” Soren replied, his tone like ice. “And make sure you erase every trace that I was ever here.“. 

He wasn’t about to give Evangeline the satisfaction. 

If she wanted to play games, let her play them alone. 

He was curious to see how long Evangeline could keep up this little charade. 

Watching Soren’s resolute figure disappear down the hallway, Gregory wiped the cold sweat from his brow, unable to keep from grumbling inwardly. 

He’d worked for Mr. Fawkes for years, but he could count on one hand the times he’d seen him like this. 

Sulking like a child, throwing a tantrum. 

Just moments ago, he’d been so concerned about Evangeline, and now he was pretending none of it had happened. 

How was Miss Whitmore ever supposed to know what he really felt? 

Gregory sighed. 

Still, he knew better than to fan the flames. All he could do was follow orders and keep his own counsel. 

Meanwhile, Glenn dropped Evangeline off in front of Fawkes Manor. 

The medication prescribed yesterday had worked wonders, and after a night’s rest, her injured ankle was almost as good as new. 

She’d planned to drive herself, but as soon as Glenn heard she was heading out, he didn’t hesitate–he pulled up outside her building to give her a ride. 

When she got his message that he was downstairs, Evangeline felt a little embarrassed. 

Glenn had just returned from abroad, but she was already putting him out. 

Glenn just waved it off, “We were supposed to sign the contract today anyway, and I’ll need your help with plenty of things now that I’m back.” 

With nothing more to say, she let it go. 

1/3 

Chapter 68 

Once the car stopped, Evangeline stepped out and walked toward the villa she’d called home for five years. 

The flowerbeds were bursting with color, and the old wooden swing swayed gently in the breeze beside the front porch. 

It was exactly as she’d left it. 

Everything except the people. 

She no longer felt she belonged here. 

Coming back wasn’t her choice; she’d left in such a hurry that day, she hadn’t managed to pack up her things. Last night, Poppy had posted a photo, and Evangeline noticed her beloved peony–nurtured for five years–had yellowing leaves. 

Soren never cared for the plants. 

Poppy would probably just toss them out. 

After all these years, Evangeline couldn’t bear to let them go. 

She’d wanted to let Soren know she’d be stopping by, but he was busy on another call, so she’d simply decided to come herself. 

As she reached for the door, she hesitated, worrying Soren and Poppy might still be inside–and she’d stumble onto something she’d rather not see. 

But her worries proved unnecessary. 

The front door opened from within. 

Macy was about to step outside; seeing Evangeline, she shrieked in surprise and stumbled backward. 

“Oh! You’re back again?” 

Macy clutched her chest, still shaken. 

“I just came to pick up a few things,” Evangeline explained. 

She started to move past Macy into the house, but Macy immediately blocked her path. 

Nose in the air, Macy declared, “Mr. Fawkes gave strict orders. You’re not to set foot in here. Not one step.” 

She’d already figured out who Poppy really was. 

2/3 

Chapter 68 

And just earlier, she’d called Helena, dropping hints about Poppy’s visit to the manor. Helena had gone so far as to send a gift, instructing Macy to treat Poppy 

well. 

Helena was notoriously picky. Whenever she heard Soren brought various women to the villa, she’d order Macy to send them packing without a second thought. 

But this time, she’d sent a gift for Poppy. 

If Poppy wasn’t the family’s chosen future daughter–in–law, why would Helena treat her so well? 

Macy believed every word Poppy had said. 

Seeing Macy now, arms spread like a human barricade, Evangeline felt a chill settle inside her. 

She knew Macy could be difficult, but she’d never dared cross the line, not like this. 

23 

“No need,” Soren replied, his tone like ice. “And make sure you erase every trace that I was ever here.“. 

He wasn’t about to give Evangeline the satisfaction. 

If she wanted to play games, let her play them alone. 

He was curious to see how long Evangeline could keep up this little charade. 

Watching Soren’s resolute figure disappear down the hallway, Gregory wiped the cold sweat from his brow, unable to keep from grumbling inwardly. 

He’d worked for Mr. Fawkes for years, but he could count on one hand the times he’d seen him like this. 

Sulking like a child, throwing a tantrum. 

Just moments ago, he’d been so concerned about Evangeline, and now he was pretending none of it had happened. 

How was Miss Whitmore ever supposed to know what he really felt? 

Gregory sighed. 

Still, he knew better than to fan the flames. All he could do was follow orders and keep his own counsel. 

Meanwhile, Glenn dropped Evangeline off in front of Fawkes Manor. 

The medication prescribed yesterday had worked wonders, and after a night’s rest, her injured ankle was almost as good as new. 

She’d planned to drive herself, but as soon as Glenn heard she was heading out, he didn’t hesitate–he pulled up outside her building to give her a ride. 

When she got his message that he was downstairs, Evangeline felt a little embarrassed. 

Glenn had just returned from abroad, but she was already putting him out. 

Glenn just waved it off, “We were supposed to sign the contract today anyway, and I’ll need your help with plenty of things now that I’m back.” 

With nothing more to say, she let it go. 

1/3 

Chapter 68 

Once the car stopped, Evangeline stepped out and walked toward the villa she’d called home for five years. 

The flowerbeds were bursting with color, and the old wooden swing swayed gently in the breeze beside the front porch. 

It was exactly as she’d left it. 

Everything except the people. 

She no longer felt she belonged here. 

Coming back wasn’t her choice; she’d left in such a hurry that day, she hadn’t managed to pack up her things. Last night, Poppy had posted a photo, and Evangeline noticed her beloved peony–nurtured for five years–had yellowing leaves. 

Soren never cared for the plants. 

Poppy would probably just toss them out. 

After all these years, Evangeline couldn’t bear to let them go. 

She’d wanted to let Soren know she’d be stopping by, but he was busy on another call, so she’d simply decided to come herself. 

As she reached for the door, she hesitated, worrying Soren and Poppy might still be inside–and she’d stumble onto something she’d rather not see. 

But her worries proved unnecessary. 

The front door opened from within. 

Macy was about to step outside; seeing Evangeline, she shrieked in surprise and stumbled backward. 

“Oh! You’re back again?” 

Macy clutched her chest, still shaken. 

“I just came to pick up a few things,” Evangeline explained. 

She started to move past Macy into the house, but Macy immediately blocked her path. 

Nose in the air, Macy declared, “Mr. Fawkes gave strict orders. You’re not to set foot in here. Not one step.” 

She’d already figured out who Poppy really was. 

2/3 

Chapter 68 

And just earlier, she’d called Helena, dropping hints about Poppy’s visit to the manor. Helena had gone so far as to send a gift, instructing Macy to treat Poppy 

well. 

Helena was notoriously picky. Whenever she heard Soren brought various women to the villa, she’d order Macy to send them packing without a second thought. 

But this time, she’d sent a gift for Poppy. 

If Poppy wasn’t the family’s chosen future daughter–in–law, why would Helena treat her so well? 

Macy believed every word Poppy had said. 

Seeing Macy now, arms spread like a human barricade, Evangeline felt a chill settle inside her. 

She knew Macy could be difficult, but she’d never dared cross the line, not like this. 

23