Unmasking the Heiress (Evangeline and Walte)
Bitten Once Shy Forever 80

Chapter 80

+25 BONUS

"What's on your mind that you need to tell my husband? Out with it-I'm all ears. Or, if you prefer, you two can have your little secret chat. Though, would you really leave me here, all by myself in the office, waiting, darling?" said Evangeline, her eyes playfully teasing Walter.

Julia, witnessing that spectacle, was seething with rage.

"Julia, if there's something you need to say, let's hear it. Right here, right now." Walter's gaze shifted to Julia, the warmth gone and replaced by a chill colder than the one he reserved for strangers. "I need to talk to you about our past project-it's about work. Can we talk in private?" There was a touch of desperation in her voice.

'Walter, just look at me. I'm the one who really loves you,' Julia silently pleaded.

"I'm afraid I can't be of much help anymore." Walter shrugged helplessly. "Evangeline holds most of the Gordon Group's shares now. She's the top shareholder, and I even

have to follow her lead."

Julia could not believe it. Even if Trey had been out of it and given some shares to Evangeline, it could not be that much. Could he truly have intended to give the Gordon Group to an outsider? No rational person would make such a move, but to her dismay, Walter's family had.

"Walt, remember how we grew up together? You even gave me a bamboo dragonfly when we were kids. Have you really forgotten all that?" Julia reminisced, hoping to stir some fondness in Walter. He had always been protective of her, just like a brother.

Back in their school days, after Evangeline had been sent away, Julia and Walter continued their education at the same institution for a few more years. Walter and Evangeline, who were classmates, had a close bond. Julia was a year behind and always seemed to be trailing behind them like a little puppy.

She was quick to tears and even quicker to snitch, and though they did not really enjoy her company, she never seemed to catch on.

"A bamboo dragonfly?" Evangeline's brow furrowed as she turned to Walter, recalling that she too had once given him such a toy.

15 BOR

Walter quickly clarified, "That wasn't a gift from me. You found it at my place when you visited, and my mom let you play with it. You decided to keep it."

Evangeline, then somewhat appeased, sat back and observed them with the stern gaze of a judge.

Julia, her cheeks flushed with frustration, had learned to toughen up under Lydia's

tutelage, her skin then thicker than most.

She pressed on, "Walt, remember when those kids blocked my way and you swooped in like a hero to rescue me? You were like my knight in shining armor. That's why I've always stuck by you." Walter massaged his temples, glancing

at Evangeline and then at Julia, before clearing his throat and admitting, somewhat sheepishly, "You might be a bit confused. Those kids were shaking me down for protection money, and I was just the ringleader of our little gang. I was calling them over to divvy up the loot, save you."

The revelation was like a soap opera plot twist that neither Evangeline nor Julia could have anticipated.

There they were, staring at the man they once put on a pedestal, as their illusions crumbled around them.

Evangeline felt the urge to smack herself. The man she had once been head over heels for, ready to marry at the drop of a hat, turned out to be a total disaster.

As Julia opened her mouth to speak again, Evangeline's patience wore thin. She could not stand another word. Who knew what other embarrassing stories about Walter might come out next? She could barely look at Julia then.