Unmasking the Heiress (Evangeline and Walte)
Bitten Once Shy Forever 233

Chapter 233

However, as Evangeline set her favorite cup on the water dispenser and was about to hit the boil button, the sound of keys jingling at the door stopped her cold. Oh no! Was she about to face off with a burglar?

A shiver shot up her spine as she realized something was very wrong.

This was the Eastgate District in Avalon City, the safest place around. Plus, no crook would waltz in through the front door, right?

Thinking this, Evangeline crept to a spot by the entrance where she could not be seen, clutching a vase just in case she needed to defend herself.

The front door swung open, and a warm, familiar voice filled the quiet living room. "Evie, you up?"

That voice... Evangeline knew who that was. She quickly put the vase down and stepped out.

There he was, her uncle Yale, looking like he had trekked a thousand miles, still calling out for her. "Uncle Yale! When did you get here?"

She quickly grabbed a pair of guest slippers and slid them in front of Yale.

Yale shrugged it off. "I was just worried about you, all alone in this big house.

He tried to sound casual, but his eyes were all soft and caring when he

looked at her.

They settled onto the couch, Evangeline with her freshly boiled water in hand, eager to reassure him. "No way! I'm not here by myself. I came with my best friend. You don't have to worry, Uncle Yale." Being fussed over by relatives felt amazing.

Evangeline was touched, but she also felt a twinge of guilt for making Yale

+20 BONUS

worry over nothing.

"Mhm."

Yale took the cup with a simple nod, and when he looked up again, his gaze had tumed serious.

"Evie, I came over today for a reason. The house is packed, and it's tough to talk about certain things there. But now that you're here at the villa, I figured it's the perfect time for us to chat." He glanced upstairs as if something just occurred to him. "Your friend is up there. Is it cool if we talk?"

Chatting was fine, but he would not want to bug the guests.

"Oh, totally cool. She's out like a light, and I shut the door when I left. She won't wake up." Evangeline got what Yale was worried about and quickly reassured him with a wave of her hand. "Alright, I'll cut to the chase. Evie, what's your game plan with this whole marriage thing to Walter?"

Yale did not beat around the bush. "You've probably figured out by now that I'm pretty keen on our new CEO, Hank. But I get it, you're headstrong, and no one can make you do something you don't want to. So, I'm curious about what's going on in your head." Truth be told, Evangeline had a hunch something was up the moment Yale showed up. Since Yale had asked, she did not see the point in hiding anything from family.

"Uncle Yale, to be honest, I haven't really thought about it."

The thought of cutting ties with Walter and getting cozy with Hank made her mind go blank, zapping her ability to think straight.

"I get that you're setting me up with Hank because you think it'll make me happy. But even though I get where you're coming from, and I know you care, I just can't say yes to something I'm not up for. "Lately, Walter and I have been at each other's throats, and I've toyed with

(*) +25 BONUS

the idea of ditching him for a fresh start, But life doesn't always play out the way we want. Right now, I'm not even close to ready for a new romance."