Unmasking the Heiress (Evangeline and Walte)
Bitten Once Shy Forever 378

Chapter 378

The moment Arla started talking, Walter sensed what she was really after. He was stunned. "Mom, you realize I'm injured, right?"

Aria gave him an eye roll, "Yeah, I know you're hurt, and Grandpa did it to you. Now's your chance to milk it a little, play the sympathy card with him. He's getting soft in his old age, and he'll probably forget this whole mess before you know it!"

As she thought about It, Aria felt a rant coming on. She let out a sigh, then said with a hint of annoyance, Walter, I'm not trying to call you out, but you're usually so sharp. How could you mess up like this when it really counts? You and that girl outside, you guys have something special, don't you?

"Grandpa just found out Evie's expecting. Even if you're head over heels for her, you've got to keep it under wraps, right? And of all times, why now? Grandpa is over the moon about meeting his great-grandkid. Aren't you making things awkward for him?" The questions hit Walter like a blast of icy wind.

In a flash, he felt a chill that not even the heat on his back could chase away.

"Mom, just stop!" Walter cut Aria off without a second thought.

Everything he had seen and heard had sunk in, but he could not-would not-believe it.

Aria, her pride stung by the interruption, lashed out in a fury, "Look at you. I'm saying all this because care, because I'm looking out for you!"

"Looking out for me?" Walter almost laughed, a fiery glare in his dark eyes. "Sure, you're looking out for me. Or maybe it's more about looking out for yourself!

"Are you just upset because you think you've ticked off Grandpa? Worried that the Gordon family fortune might slip through your fingers, and you won't get to live the high life anymore?

"Here's a tip, Mom-the Gordons aren't idiots. If that's what you're thinking, keep it to yourself. Otherwise, you might end up with nothing-trying to outsmart everyone and losing everything instead."

Aria's true concerns were exposed. Her face went white, but just as quickly, it turned stormy.

"What are you even talking about, kiddo? If I'm worried about the Gordon family's fortune, who do you think it's for? It's all for you, you little troublemaker! If you hadn't gone around making a mess and ticking off your grandfather, we wouldn't be in this mess, would we?"

"I don't need you butting in, even if I am a troublemaker! If the Gordon family's fortune means more to your than your own flesh and blood, then go ahead and ask Grandpa for the inheritance yourself. Why bother having a son at all?"

The argument between mother and son was explosive

Aria stormed off. The furious Walter lay on his bed, panting heavily.

He had always believed his mother was the only warmth he had in the Gordon family. He realized he had been fooling himself, and that warmth had never been there at all.

Walter's gaze was hollow, and he was at a loss for words.

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He could not even decide whether to cry or to

Unbeknownst to them, the news of Walter and Aria's fiery exchange spread like wildfire, and it was or long before Minnie got wind of it.

Arin was a woman of experience, with a keen mind.

After Walter retreated to his room to tend to his wounds, she had Minnie settled into the quest room and made sure the servants provided her with clothes.

She understood that Aria's hospitality was not out of affection for her. It was to avoid any sandalov rumors that might arise from her and Walter being seen together, which could tarnish both Walter's and the Gordon family's reputation,