Chapter 297
+25 BONUS
Evangeline and Alex traded stories, each one making them laugh more than the last.
Meanwhile, Walter was in a rough spot. He was gutted when he realized Evangeline blocked him.
Alone, he headed back to Crystal Waters House, only to find that Evangeline had not returned, which sent him into a tailspin.
Evangeline was gone, and it looked like she might not come back at all.
That just could not happen.
He had to see her… he had to make her listen to his side of the story!
Where could Evangeline have gone? If she was not at Crystal Waters House, where else would she be?
Cole was sick. Even if she was mad at him, she would not just skip out on visiting Cole, would she?
Walter felt like he had a lead. He willed himself to sleep and recharge, determined to head over to Cole’s to track down Evangeline.
Nonetheless, Evangeline’s determined eyes haunted him, and he tossed and turned all night. With dark bags under his eyes, he got up at the crack of dawn and made his way to the Foster family’s mansion.
Cole was on the mend, and with his doctor’s approval, he was back home getting better.
Walter showed up under the pretense of celebrating Cole’s homecoming, gifts in tow.
He barely stepped inside when a staff member took the presents off his hands, and that was when he spotted Evangeline. She was right there behind Cole, massaging his shoulders. Cole was squinting with delight.
“Evie, you’ve got the magic touch! Did you take some secret classes or something?” Cole was in heaven, playfully teasing his beloved granddaughter.
Evangeline’s face betrayed her, showing that her secret was out. Luckily, she was behind Cole, who would have otherwise seen right through her in an instant.
She steadied her nerves and tried to sound breezy as she said, “My massage is nothing special, just a bit more strength than usual.”
“You’re something else,” Cole chuckled, shaking his head, letting the conversation drop.
He was no stranger to massages, having tried more masseurs than he could count. However,
Evangeline’s touch was spot–on, both in strength and technique. She had to have put her heart into learning it.
Still, Cole knew her well enough to understand she had her reasons for playing it down. Why make a fuss with a kid over something so trivial?
Just then, the sharp click of dress shoes on the floor cut through the air.
Walter stood before Cole, all politeness and concern. “Grandpa, how are you feeling? I’ve been swamped and only just got the chance to come check on you…”
+25 BONUS
He was talking to Cole, but his eyes were busy tracking Evangeline.
Cole was not fooled for a second.
“Come off it, will you? I’ve been around the block enough times to know how ‘busy‘ you youngsters can be, *he said with a knowing look.
He waved Walter over. “Have a seat. Hey, someone get my grandson–in–law a cup of tea!”
Evangeline genuinely did not want to deal with Walter.
She had been looking forward to catching up with Cole, sharing a few laughs, and spending some quality time with him while she was still job–free. Alas, of all the rotten luck, Walter had to turn up out of the blue.
She acknowledged Cole with a subtle nod. “Grandpa, your chicken soup will be ready in a while. I’m going to check on it.”
Evangeline was just about to head out when she was stopped in her tracks by a pair of arms.
“Why is it that every time I show up, you’re on your way out? Are you dodging me?”
Chapter 298
