Chapter 147 Tit for Tat
Edward's emotions were boiling beneath his calm, handsome exterior.
Evelyn felt unlucky. 'Running into Edward here is really a bummer,' she thought.
Gilbert leaned in close, whispering, "Don't worry, I'm here."
Evelyn's ears twitched. 'Not at all,' she thought.
"Ms. Taylor, didn't expect to see you here," Nicole said, dropping her usual confrontational tone. "Is this your new boyfriend? You two look great together."
Evelyn's eyes were indifferent, clearly not wanting to engage.
Gilbert replied, "Thanks, but I'm not her boyfriend yet."
Evelyn didn't react immediately.
But Edward heard it, his fingers clenched, his face icy.
'Not yet? Is Gilbert provoking me, or is there something between him and Evelyn?' Edward wondered.
Nicole noticed Edward's tense expression and the hard muscles of his arm. She realized he still couldn't let go of Evelyn.
Seeing Evelyn with someone new, she felt a bit relieved. 'At least one of them has to move on from that three-year marriage,' she thought.
"Are you here with your fiancée?" Gilbert smirked. "Better hurry, the Rose Garden's about to close."
"I don't have your leisure," Edward shot back, ignoring Evelyn. "Bart, contact the Rose Garden manager. I need to discuss a deal."
"Yes, Edward," Bart said, pulling out his phone.
A few seconds later, a phone rang nearby.
"That's odd, it sounds close," Bart said, looking around.
The ringing got louder.
"Mr. Alexander," Edward's gaze locked on Curtis, who was walking up to Gilbert with the ringing phone.
"Mr. Alexander, a call for you," Curtis said, handing the phone to Gilbert and giving Edward a disdainful look.
Gilbert smiled, swiping the screen to hang up.
Bart's call stopped abruptly. He stood there, stunned.
Edward's pupils contracted, his face pale.
"The owner of the Rose Garden is me," Gilbert said. "But I already have an exclusive partner, so Edward, you're out of luck."
Gilbert looked at Evelyn. "Ms. Taylor, I accept your cooperation request."
Evelyn's eyes widened slightly. She glanced at Edward's darkening face and bloodshot eyes.
She smiled, dimples showing, and shook Gilbert's hand. "Here's to a pleasant cooperation, Mr. Alexander."
The Wellington family members looked at each other in shock. Bart felt a wave of darkness.
Seeing Edward's unpleasant expression, Nicole tried to comfort him. "Edward, don't worry. It's just a garden. We can find another."
Before she finished, Edward pulled his arm away forcefully, making her stumble.
"Let's go, Mr. Alexander," Evelyn said, smiling politely at Gilbert, not bothering to look at Edward and Nicole.
"I've already booked the restaurant. We can go anytime," Gilbert said.
They exchanged smiles, making Edward feel like he was being choked. His brows furrowed tightly.
Edward strode forward, blocking Gilbert. "Mr. Alexander, let's talk alone," he demanded, his tone still strong despite the failed negotiation.
"If it's about the Rose Garden project, there's nothing left to discuss," Gilbert replied, not wanting to waste time.
"What if it's about something else?" Edward's deep gaze fell on Evelyn.
Gilbert led Edward to a European-style pavilion in the Rose Garden. They sat facing each other, surrounded by blooming flowers, yet it felt like an icebox.
"Please be brief. I still have a date with Ms. Taylor," Gilbert said, glancing at his watch impatiently.
"A date? I heard you were discussing cooperation," Edward shot back. "Maybe that's just your wishful thinking. Evelyn was my wife for three years. I know her better than you do."
"Really?" Gilbert shrugged, mocking him. "Three years, and it was only in name. Where do you get the confidence to think you know her better than I do?"
Edward clenched his fists, eyes cold. "You've been investigating me?"
Gilbert shook his head, smiling. "Everything I do is for Evelyn. This cooperation wasn't her taking it from you. I've been waiting for her all along. I know your people contacted mine privately. I never intended to cooperate with the Wellington family."
Edward took a deep breath, eyes dark as night. "Gilbert, you may have just returned, but I know quite a bit about you. People like Evelyn might be deceived by your facade, but I won't be fooled. I know what you did on Aurora Isle."
Gilbert's smile faded. He adjusted his glasses slowly.
"You always have women around you. But Evelyn isn't someone you can toy with or win over with a few roses," Edward said, his face dark and frosty.
A few seconds later, Gilbert sneered. "How strange. If you care so much about Evelyn, why did you divorce her and marry someone else?"
Edward was momentarily stunned, as if struck by lightning.
"I know what kind of person I am. Even if I'm terrible, my heart for Evelyn is pure and loyal. Better than you, who married her but thought of someone else. Anyone can say this to me, but not you," Gilbert said, his tone cold and venomous. "Whether you regret it or not, you're already divorced. Who she is with, who she likes, who she loves, has nothing to do with you anymore."
With that, Gilbert got up and walked out of the pavilion. He stopped and looked back at Edward.
"I've liked her for many years. Your three years mean nothing to me."
Edward sat alone in the pavilion, recalling Gilbert's words, his face pale.
