Chapter 172 Disagreeing with This Marriage Proposal
Edward turned away, his heart racing, and a small smile crept onto his face.
But he couldn't face her just yet.
Gilbert's lips were tight, his eyes stormy with gloom.
Even though Evelyn and Edward had divorced on bad terms, he could still sense the lingering emotions between them.
"Edward, since you're here, just say what you need to before you leave."
Evelyn stepped forward, her face cold, staring at Edward's back. "Don't sneak around like a thief, or I'll have nightmares."
Edward swallowed hard, turned to her, and said slowly, "It's nothing. I've just had insomnia lately."
Evelyn frowned, puzzled about what his insomnia had to do with him coming to Hameen. 'Is his insomnia because of me?'
"If you can't sleep, take some pills. Coming here won't help."
"It's already fixed."
Edward's dark eyes locked onto hers. "I think I'll sleep well tonight."
With that, he turned and left again.
Evelyn watched his lonely figure until his black sports car vanished into the night, then muttered angrily, "Nuts!"
Back in his car, Edward felt a wave of exhaustion hit him. His eyes were bloodshot, and he rested his arms on the steering wheel, his muscles tense, breathing rapid, and agitation peaking.
He watched Evelyn and Gilbert enter the Oasis Villa, the door closing heavily behind them, and felt a heavy thud in his heart.
Edward's fingers trembled as he picked up his phone and called Bart.
"Edward, what do you need?"
"Dig it up," Edward said.
"What?" Bart was confused.
"Look into the relationship between the Taylor family and the Alexander family, and Evelyn and Gilbert."
Edward gritted his teeth. "Evelyn isn't easily won over. I don't believe their relationship is as Gilbert says."
"Got it! I'll get right on it!"
Bart was secretly pleased, his tone cheerful. "If you had trusted Mrs. Wellington earlier, she wouldn't have left you, and those other guys wouldn't be buzzing around her."
"Say one more word, and you'll be reporting to the Ocrizia branch!" Edward snapped.
Bart wailed, "I'm sorry!"
Evelyn had already known about Edward's appearance at the Oasis Villa.
She didn't want to deal with it initially.
But when Gilbert went out to see him, she had to step in to prevent more trouble.
The small episode didn't affect the gathering's atmosphere, and the dinner ended harmoniously.
Charlie, accompanied by Hubert, returned to the study and secretly called Landon and Simon over.
"Charlie, what's up?" Landon asked.
"What do you know about Evelyn and Gilbert's relationship? Be honest." Charlie asked, sitting casually on the sofa.
Landon and Simon exchanged glances, and Simon immediately sold out Landon. "Charlie, ask Landon. I don't know anything about Evelyn and Gilbert tonight!"
Landon stayed calm.
"Landon, how far have they gone?" Charlie's tone was serious. "Evelyn has only ever had shrimp peeled by you and me. When has she ever been involved with another man? Tonight, Gilbert was overly attentive to Evelyn, almost feeding her by hand, and she didn't refuse. Tell me, what's their relationship now? Is Evelyn really with him?"
"Charlie, it seems you don't like Gilbert," Landon said directly.
Charlie pursed his lips but didn't say it outright.
"Gilbert and Evelyn have known each other since they were kids, and they get along well now. It's rare for Evelyn to be okay with a guy around her, and our families have been friends for generations. If Gilbert and Evelyn end up together, it wouldn't be a bad thing," Landon said calmly.
"You both know why Elbert came over tonight. He clearly wants to form an alliance with the Taylor family. Why else would he bring his two unmarried sons? He's got his eyes on Evelyn!"
Charlie shook his head, "But I will never agree to this marriage."
Landon and Simon's expressions shifted. They hadn't expected Charlie to be so against the Alexander family.
"Charlie, are you and Uncle Elbert on bad terms? Did you block each other on WhatsApp?" Simon joked, giving Charlie a thumbs up. "You can still act friendly. I couldn't do that!"
"How did you become a prosecutor with that brain?" Charlie rolled his eyes at Simon. "Evelyn is my most beloved daughter. She just got out of the Wellington family. I can't send her to the Alexander family! Do you think the Alexander family is a good place? Elbert's kids are always fighting. If Evelyn marries into that family, she'll get dragged into their mess. Plus, Gilbert is Elbert's least favored son. Even though he's done well in business abroad, his start was rough. His dealings are probably shady. He might want to marry into the Taylor family to clean up his image and establish himself here."
Simon was stunned, and Landon bit his lip in self-reproach. 'I've been focused on helping Evelyn start anew but haven't considered these deeper issues,' he thought.
"My daughter can help others succeed, but I can't let her sacrifice herself for them!"
The top-tier Bentley headed towards Mugden. Randy drove his own car back, while Elbert unusually allowed Gilbert to ride with him.
Elbert and Gilbert sat in the back, the atmosphere tense.
"Gilbert, tell me honestly, how far have you gone with Evelyn?" Elbert asked coldly.
"Are you concerned about my private life?" Gilbert smirked. "Angela and I lived on Aurora Isle for fifteen years, and you never cared. Now that I'm back in Mugden, you suddenly pay attention to my every move."
"Don't change the subject. I'm asking about your relationship with Evelyn!" Elbert's tone was stern, his eyes angry.
"As you saw tonight, Evelyn and I are very close," Gilbert said, his gold-rimmed glasses flashing coldly.
Elbert took a sharp breath, the veins on his forehead throbbing. "From now on, you must keep your distance from Evelyn!"
"Why?" Gilbert asked with a smile.
"Evelyn is the match I've chosen for Randy. Your interference will disrupt my plans!" Elbert said.
"Randy is your son, but so am I. If Evelyn is with me, she'd still be your daughter-in-law. What's the problem?" Gilbert asked.
"My mind is made up. Randy must marry Evelyn. If you also want to marry into the Taylor family, Charlie has a younger daughter named Jennifer, Joyce's daughter, who is also unmarried."
"So, the unfavored son can't marry the daughter of the legal wife? Is that what you mean?" Gilbert adjusted his glasses, a mocking smile on his lips.
"Gilbert! Stop talking nonsense!" Elbert shouted, red with anger and shame. "You shouldn't compete with Randy. What is yours, I will give you, and what isn't, you shouldn't try to take!"
"I've heard that all my life, but to this day, I haven't received a single thing that truly belongs to me." Gilbert closed his eyes, a chilling smile on his lips. "I don't want your empty promises anymore. Go back and tell Randy to rest assured. Evelyn will only be mine, and no one else should even think about competing with me."
