Unmasking the Heiress (Evangeline and Walte)
Bitten Once Shy Forever 433

Chapter 433

Walter's hand that had been holding Evangeline too firmly then rested gently on her slightly swollen belly, under her stern gaze.

It was a strange and wonderful feeling. Walter knew the baby was just a tiny, developing life, but the thought of it growing inside Evangeline, the woman he loved, filled him with warmth. That warmth flooded through him as he touched her belly, and he felt like the luckiest guy on the planet.

A wave of guilt washed over him for not being there for his wife and child. He silently vowed that once he sorted out his mess, if Evangeline could still stand him, he would make it up to her and their little one. "Evangeline, take care of the baby," he said, leaving the rest unsaid. "And take care of yourself."

He swallowed the rest of his words, knowing that Evangeline might see his promises as insincere, like a fox offering a chicken well wishes. It was better to leave them unspoken.

Evangeline was taken aback by Walter's sudden softness which was so at odds with his earlier aggression.

Evangeline had never sensed even the slightest hint of fatherly warmth from Walter, but what was that moment? A sudden surge of paternal love?

Almost instantly, she was washed over with sadness.

Maybe, for her whole life, she would only ever feel Walter's love through the baby growing inside her.

Even that love was not the kind she longed for. It was the obligatory kind, the kind that comes from being tied by blood, the kind any dad should feel for his kid.

Sitting in her car, Evangeline's mind raced, unable to settle.

She was certain Walter's warnings were not to be ignored..

The case with Lydia was too deep then, and she could not afford to overlook any detail.

Lucky for her, she had spent today's card-signing time scoping out the entire beauty salon. She would sketch out a floor plan later and send others in her stead next time. Meanwhile, at the Sunny Glow Beauty Salon entrance...

Celina watched Evangeline and Walter's car drive away, double-checking that David was gone too, before she slipped inside.

Instead of heading to her usual spot to greet customers, she made a beeline for her office.

She yanked open her desk drawer, grabbed a brand-new phone, and punched in a number without a second thought...

'Better I spill the beans than let you stir up a storm and get us both busted. It's a showdown now, David, and we'll just have to see who's left standing, Celina mused. At the same time, over at the Gordon Group's big boss's office...

Minnie had barely stepped out to flick on the AC when Walter pulled a disappearing act.

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Chapter 433

+25 BONUS

Walter and David both bolted from the office without showing their faces, and that was just plain weird. A flicker of suspicion danced in her mind.

She tried to ring Walter right away, but his phone was just sitting there on his desk, abandoned.

What was so important that he would dash off without his phone?

Minnie's heart raced with guilt, and her mind raced to the beauty salon she visited.

However, Celina's salon was above board, with all the right paperwork and a squeaky-clean record. She was sure that even if Walter came snooping around, he would not replace a thing. The problem was her mom, Lydia, was staying there. That complicated matters. She had faith in Celina's skills, but that did not mean she was ready to risk her mom over it. Lydia could not stay there any longer!