Unmasking the Heiress (Evangeline and Walte)
Bitten Once Shy Forever 77

Chapter 77

The company was abuzz with shock. It had been a whirlwind of bombshells for days. Walter and Evangeline

had kept their marriage under wraps, and since Evangeline had never set foot in the company during their marriage, most employees were clueless about Walter's marital status. The revelation of his marriage sent shockwaves through the office.

Before anyone could catch their breath, the divorce rurs came crashing in, followed by another scoop.

Hot on the heels of the divorce buzz, Walter's so-called wife hit the headlines for her unique status and for telling her parents and her violin-prodigy sister she had nothing to do with them.

The news cycle had not even cooled down when Evangeline's secret life as a racing queen was exposed, sparking endless gossip. Gordon Group had turned into a media frenzy, with reporters infiltrating the company in search of the scoop. Being in Walter Gordon's orbit seemed to promise a life of luxury.

Today, the staff were stunned to see the couple, who had been at the center of divorce drama just days before, strolling into the office, hand in hand, all lovey-dovey. It was enough to make anyone's jaw hit the floor.

The company was alive with whispers from the basement to the boardroom.

"Weren't Mr. Walter Gordon and his wife on the fast track to divorce? What's with the cozy show today?"

"Rich folks sure have a strange way of having fun, it's beyond me."

"Rumor has it Mrs. Walter Gordon left her husband for James Foster. Can you believe it?"

"Big deal. Walter was sneaking around with her sister, wasn't he? Why shouldn't she have a little fun herself? That crowd is a mess."

"Keep it down. The last one who gossiped about Mrs. Gordon got canned by Walter himself. Let's watch what we say."

The whispers were like shadows, the hushed tones in dim corners spreading like

+25 BONUS Chapter 27

wildfire.

Evangeline stepped into the office to replace the Gordon Group's top brass seated in silence. The boardroom fell even quieter as she entered, all eyes on her, their looks sharp with animosity. She could not help but feel uneasy.

This was overkill, was it not? It was just a matter of dividing up some of Walter's fortune. There was no need for that grand display.

Trey sat at the head of the table, his nod and smile inviting Evangeline to take the seat beside him.

She hesitated, but Walter tugged her down beside him.

"As I've already told everyone, we're transferring a portion of the Gordon Group shares to Evie," said Trey, sliding the share transfer papers toward Evangeline. "Go ahead and sign, Evie."

The room was tense, faces drawn and uneasy, yet silence reigned. Trey had clearly laid the groundwork with the shareholders well before that meeting. After all, he was the architect of Gordon Group, holding the reins to steer its future and make the big calls.

Today's gathering was a formality, a courtesy rather than a consultation. The top brass watched powerlessly as Trey's transfer involved only his personal slice of the pie, not the group's shares. Still, the numbers were staggering.

Evangeline's eyes widened as she flipped through the contract, her breath catching in her throat.

40 percent of the shares were on the line-Trey was practically handing her the keys to half of the Gordon empire. That 40 included Trey's own 25 and, shockingly, 15 from Walter!

She understood the gravity of it all too well. With that kind of stake, she would practically be royalty within Gordon Group.

Confused, Evangeline's gaze darted from Walter, who seemed unperturbed, to Trey. She half-expected that to be a mistake, a slip of the pen from an aging hand. "Come on, sign it, Evie," Trey pressed.

"Grandpa, I just can't." She pushed back, the weight of the advantage heavy on her conscience. She had entertained getting one over on Walter with the shares, but this was bigger than their squabbles. It was about the legacy of the Gordon family, and

2/3

she was not about to tarnish it with selfishness.

"Evie, you can do anything. You saved my life, and I'd be six feet under by now without you. You're a good kid, and you've earned this," sair! Trey, trying to ease the burden he saw weighing on Evangeline's shoulders.

"Signing this paper doesn't mean you're chained to the company. Just swing by when you feel like it. Or don't-it's all good. Walter's got the business side covered. You? Just kick back, sip some coffee, hit the shops, and let the cash roll in."

"Just sign here." Walter slipped the pen into Evangeline's hand, leaning in close to whisper, "The old guard's all here. Grandpa's been bending their ears for ages. If you don't sign now, you're basically throwing him under the bus."

Evangeline felt trapped, like she was stuck on a high wire with no way down, her mind a total blank. She could not even recall what was said in the meeting or how it wrapped up.

Walter, almost floating, guided her into the office.

"What's the deal with that contract?" Evangeline finally snapped out of it and yanked her hand away from Walter.