Chapter 178 Loving Someone Isn't a Crime
The Wellington Group.
Edward sat in his office, staring blankly at his computer screen. Each click of the mouse changed the photo, but they all featured Evelyn, smiling beautifully with stunning eyes.
Bart had taken these photos while tailing Evelyn for days. He was supposed to gather intel on KS, but Evelyn's tight-lipped circle left him with just these candid shots.
Edward's eyes deepened as he kept looking at the photos, almost willing them to bring Evelyn in the photos to reality.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed once, then ten times in a row. Snapping out of his daze, he checked the phone, his heart tightening. He jumped up, grabbed his suit jacket, and rushed out the door.
Restaurant.
Evelyn hadn't seen Peter in ages, so they had a lot to catch up on. After some wine, Evelyn, slightly tipsy, leaned in and asked, "Peter, when are you going to find a girlfriend at the police office?"
"Why are you on my case too? My job's exhausting and dangerous. Why would I want a girlfriend in the same line of work?" Peter replied, pouring out Evelyn's wine and replacing it with water.
"What's with you guys? You're all getting older and still single," Evelyn pouted.
"You have so many brothers who love you. Isn't that enough? Aren't you worried if we get girlfriends, we won't have time for you?"
"Please, love me a little less! Because of you guys, I didn't have a boyfriend before college! You bought all the chocolate at the school store every day and waited at the gate to give it to me. Everyone thought you were my boyfriend! I still haven't had a proper first love!" Evelyn's cheeks flushed as she vented her old grievances.
"Donna thought I was in an early relationship because of that. She had someone stop me at the school gate, and they beat me back home, saying they caught me red-handed!" Peter winced at the memory.
"That happened? I didn't know!" Evelyn blinked in surprise. "Why didn't you explain to Aunt Donna? You should've told her the snacks were for me!"
Peter shrugged, "Anyway, I don't want to get married. With my job, anyone who marries me would sufffer."
"Me too," Evelyn nodded.
"You shouldn't say that. You should get married when you meet Mr. Right. Gilbert, who came to our house last time, seems interested in you. Why not consider him?" Peter suggested.
When they left the restaurant, William had already pulled the car up to the entrance. Seeing Evelyn leaning against Peter, William hurried over to help.
"Don't move," Peter tightened his grip on Evelyn and blocked William with his other arm. "I've got this."
William stood there awkwardly, pursing his lips.
Peter had a bit of a grudge against William, always thinking any man too attentive to Evelyn was up to no good.
"Peter, you're too paranoid. William isn't an outsider," Evelyn said with a helpless smile.
"He's not an outsider, but he's still a man," Peter replied, frowning and giving William a cold glance. "Next time, get a female secretary. I don't like male secretaries."
"You've got an occupational disease, seeing everyone as a bad guy," Evelyn said, squinting her eyes and waving dismissively.
"Staying alert and clear-headed never hurts," Peter said, helping Evelyn into the car and closing the door. William bowed, about to leave.
"Wait," Peter called out.
"Any other instructions?" William asked, his face stern.
"As Evelyn's secretary, you spend a lot of time around her. Stick to your duties," Peter said, his eyes flashing with a chilling sharpness. "Don't covet what isn't yours, and don't cross the line. I've seen too much evil in this world, so I never think the best of people."
William took a deep breath, clenching his fists. "I understand the law too. The law can restrain actions, but not feelings," he said, his eyes slightly red. "I won't do anything to Evelyn because I truly admire and respect her. But you can't make me stop loving her. Loving someone isn't against the law."
Peter's eyebrows furrowed. 'Although I don't like William, I have to admit his words are straightforward.'
"You better remember what you said today," Peter said.
"What are you guys talking about? Are we leaving or not? I'm so sleepy!" Evelyn asked, squinting her eyes as she lowered the car window.
"Coming, Evelyn," William said, turning back and smiling warmly at her.
"Evelyn, call me when you get home," Peter said, still a bit worried, making a phone gesture.
Evelyn made an "OK" gesture, waving at him, then left with William.
Peter smiled as he watched Evelyn leave, but his smile faded as he turned his cold gaze across the street before walking away.
Across the street, Bart's black Porsche was hidden in the shadows. He just sent Edward the location, and within seconds, Evelyn left, and the gigolo was nowhere to be seen.
"Strange, where did they go?" Bart muttered, suddenly the car door was yanked open, and a rough hand grabbed his collar, easily pulling him out of the car.
"What are you doing?!" Bart was shocked to see Peter appear like a ghost and screamed, "Don't mess around, this is a law-abiding society! I'll call the police on you!"
"No need for that," Peter said, pulling out his badge and flashing it in front of Bart. "Detective Peter Taylor, at your service."
Bart gasped in shock.
Evelyn yawned a few times in the car, already dozing off. At that moment, her phone rang.
"Peter, what's up? I'm not home yet," she said.
"Evelyn, do you know Bart?" Peter's hoarse voice came through.
Evelyn instantly sobered up, sitting up straight. "What's going on, Peter? Why are you suddenly mentioning him?"
"Evelyn, where did you meet this scumbag? His phone is full of secretly taken photos of you! I caught him red-handed!" Peter said.
