Tragically 69

 

Chapter 69 Stirring the Pot 

Bill knew his granddaughter had grown up. 

She had her own ideas, her own way of doing things, and even her own little secrets. 

Those weren’t his to pry into-and they shouldn’t be. 

He swallowed the worry on the tip of his tongue. 

She had to fight her own battles. 

+8 Pearls 

If she ever learned the truth behind that secret, she’d need all the strength she could get. 

With a quiet sigh, Bill lowered his head and went back to eating. 

In the kitchen, Evelyn sat with her plate, staring into space. 

She kept replaying what Bill had said-most likely, Philip’s wound had been caused at close 

range. 

The thought hit hard. The person closest to him, the one he had protected, had also been the one to hurt him the most. 

That cut deeper than the wound itself. 

And then she remembered-before Philip left, he’d said he was going back home for a while. What if it had been someone in his own family? 

She realized how little she really knew. She’d told him bits about the Schmidt family’s mess, but Philip had never once mentioned his own. 

In her past life, they hadn’t been this close. No wonder she’d never known. 

Looking back now, she saw how blind she still was. 

Aside from Philip himself, she knew nothing. 

The thought of asking him flickered, but she quickly shut it down. 

Couples needed trust. She’d find out eventually. 

If he didn’t want to say it now, that was his choice. She had her own secrets, too. 

After reassuring herself, she steadied her mood and returned to the table. 

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Chapter 69 Stirring the Pot 

+8 Pearls 

Grandfather and granddaughter both chose not to bring it up again, instead bantering over how best to cook fried chicken. 

After the meal, Evelyn took a nap there. 

Bill had given her the best room in the house-the one that stayed cool in summer and warm in winter. It said everything about how much he cherished her. 

She’d been up early, running around, catching rides. She was beyond exhausted. 

Within minutes of lying down, she was out cold. 

She didn’t know how long she slept before a loud, sharp noise started-sharp, shrill, drilling straight into her eardrums. 

Groggy, Evelyn blinked awake and sat on the bed for a long moment before she realized what she was hearing. 

She raked her fingers through her messy hair, opened the door, and stepped out. 

Just as she thought, Yvonne stood in the living room. 

Bill was blocking her path to Evelyn’s room, frowning. 

Since his back was to the door, Bill hadn’t realized she’d already stepped out. Still frowning, he muttered at Yvonne under his breath, “Couldn’t this wait until the kid’s awake? What’s so damn urgent-like you can’t spare an hour or two?” 

Yvonne’s mouth opened, but then her eyes flicked sideways and caught Evelyn. Her voice immediately doubled in volume. “Evelyn, you’re up!” 

Evelyn nodded, still heavy with sleep. “Mom, you needed me?” 

She glanced at the wall clock. 

She’d only slept for half an hour. No wonder she still felt so drained. 

Yvonne didn’t care about that, obviously. 

She rushed forward and seized Evelyn’s wrist. “There’s something at home that needs handling. Come with me, now 

“What’s so urgent?” Evelyn asked, confused. 

Yvonne stammered. “It’s … complicated. Hard to explain here. Just come home first.” 

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Chapter 69 Stirring the Pot 

No matter what, she had to get Evelyn out of this house. 

+8 Pearls 

Evelyn pressed, “Is it something serious? The kind of thing the whole family has to be there 

for?” 

Caught off guard, Yvonne nodded without thinking-falling right into the trap. 

“Then Grandpa should come, too. We’ll all go together. You can explain on the way,” Evelyn said casually. 

Bill instantly agreed, though his face looked angry. “What’s so important that Zaid can’t handle it himself? He had to send you? You can’t even drive; you had to take a cab. What a waste of money. I’ll have Connor drive us back.” 

Seeing Bill reach for his phone, Yvonne froze. 

“No, no, Dad. I’ll take her. Just me and her,” she sputtered. 

Evelyn blinked innocently. “Not Grandpa? But you said the whole family had to be there. Or do you not count Grandpa as family?” 

Now, Yvonne was trapped. 

If she said yes, she’d have to drag Bill along. 

If she said no, she’d insult him outright. 

Either way, she lost. 

After a long, awkward pause, she backpedaled. “It’s really not that urgent. Just about Evelyn’s internship. The school sent someone over for a signature. Zaid could sign, but I thought Evelyn might not be sure, so I wanted her to see it herself.” 

“I already chose Brookhaven Hospital. Nothing to think about. Dad can sign for me,” Evelyn 

said. 

Yvonne bobbed her head quickly. “Then I’ll call Zaid. Dad, let me use the landline in your 

room. 

She slipped into the bedroom, shut the door like it was nothing, and pretended to make a 

call. 

When she came back out, she forced a relieved smile. “All settled. Zaid said it’s Brookhaven. He signed. I’ll head home, then 

“Go on,” Bill muttered, turning toward his room. 

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Chapter 69 Stirring the Pot 

But Yvonne stayed planted, her expression awkward. 

Bill stopped, eyeing her. “Didn’t you say you were leaving?” 

+8 Pearls 

Yvonne forced a laugh. “It’s scorching out, Dad. Hard to catch a cab. Maybe have Connor drop me off?” Yvonne said, trying to look sweet. 

She hadn’t gotten Evelyn out, and the thought of wasting cab fare after losing five grand that morning made her ache. 

So, she wanted to hitch a ride in the military compound’s car. 

But Bill’s glare cut her off. “You’ve got some nerve asking for Connor’s car. This was nothing but a signature, and you dragged Evelyn out at noon for nothing. You didn’t even bring the papers yourself. The whole trip is wasted. Walk home-it’ll save the family money.” 

“Grandpa, walking back in this heat will wear her out. Look at the sun, it’s blazing. Find Mom a ride,” Evelyn chimed in, sticking up for Yvonne. 

Yvonne hadn’t even had a chance to speak before she heard Evelyn’s next line. And then, she nearly exploded with rage. 

48 

Reborn for Love and Revenge