Chapter 233 Two Suitors
The whole auction wrapped up with more drama than a soap opera.
Tonight, not only did MINT magazine break records for the most charity cash ever raised, but the journos there were having a blast, dropping breaking news left and right.
As soon as Patrick got the scoop, he sent his secretary and lawyer to hustle Tiffany and a freaked-out Debra into the car, all while everyone watched.
Calling it a panic escape wouldn’t be far off.
"I'm the legal advisor for the Wellington Group, Miss Golden. You just accused Miss Wellington of bribing you to swipe KS World Hotel's business info. If you ain't got solid proof, we're gonna sue you for slander and defamation! We won't let this slide!" The lawyer threw down the gauntlet before leaving, looking dead serious.
Facing a lawsuit from the Wellington Group? Yeah, Dorothy was shaking in her boots.
But what really scared her was the sheer intimidation Edward brought.
Right then, Edward's sharp brows were all business, and he stared at her like she was nothing.
Dorothy trembled, forcing herself to speak, "I wouldn't say it if I didn't have proof! Don't think just 'cause you got money and power, I'm scared of you! I've turned over a new leaf and won't be pushed into doing shady stuff anymore!"
"Edward, what’s the move?" The lawyer turned to Edward, clearly stressed.
Edward's face was stone-cold, his tone icy, like he had no ties to the Wellington Group, "Go back and tell Patrick that he's not just up against Miss Golden, but the whole KS WORLD."
'And me,' Edward thought.
Now it was the lawyer's turn to freak out.
Evelyn was the Taylor family's princess. If this blew up, it’d piss off the whole Taylor clan!
Backing Evelyn were Charlie, Landon, and Donna from the Mays family. None of them were pushovers. This was a single move that could shake everything up.
"Apologize where needed, take the hit where deserved. Twisting the truth and helping the bad guys will just make us a joke." Edward sneered, turning to find Evelyn.
But surprise, surprise, Evelyn had vanished, leaving his passionate heart out in the cold again.
Eiss had other big plans, and Evelyn walked her to the underground parking lot.
"Ms. Taylor, you really blew me away tonight." Eiss said, giving her a light hug, "Landon's sister never lets me down."
"I'm Landon's sister, so you see me through rose-colored glasses," Evelyn grinned modestly.
"No way, from the first time we met, your vibe, your thoughts, and your insights totally blew me away. I think we're gonna be great friends," Eiss said, genuinely.
"Why not great family?" Evelyn raised an eyebrow, teasing her.
Eiss caught the hint, and her usually serious face turned a bit pink. She said softly, "Sweetie, I'll be fifty next year. Even though I really like Landon, I can't hold him back."
"So what if you're fifty? My dad and Joyce have a twenty-five-year gap, and they're living it up every day." Evelyn said, giving Eiss a hearty pat on the back, "Eiss, life’s too short for regrets. If you really like Landon, go for it. Even if it doesn't work out, at least you won't have any 'what ifs'."
"Alexa," Eiss suddenly called her by another name, "So far, have you made any choices you regret?"
A flicker of pain crossed Evelyn's heart, like a cruel crack in a dark, sealed corner of her soul.
But she just curled her lips into a relieved smile, "Honestly, I've made choices I regret. But right now, I have no regrets."
'Regret is once marrying him.'
'No regrets because I have married him.'
'It sounds contradictory, but it’s my true feeling,' Evelyn thought.
Eiss got into the car, and Evelyn watched her leave.
"Alexa!"
"Ms. Taylor! Hold up a sec!"
A swarm of reporters rushed over, like they’d hit the jackpot, excitedly surrounding Evelyn.
William was still inside dealing with the fallout, and she had no bodyguards with her. Even though the reporters meant no harm, they made it tough for her to move.
"Alexa! How do you plan to hold Debra accountable for plagiarizing your work? Will you sue her?"
"Debra got others to leak KS WORLD Hotel's business secrets, messing up your deal with Ada. Are Knight Spear Group and the Wellington Group heading to court?"
"Ada just told reporters she's canceling her deal with the Wellington Group. Will you two patch things up and work together again?"
Evelyn had been on her feet all day, and now, faced with a barrage of questions, her nerves were shot, and the stomach cramps kicked in.
She clenched her hands tightly, her smooth forehead dotted with sweat, and her face went a bit pale.
But her clear eyes still shone brightly, showing no signs of illness.
"I..." Before Evelyn could get a word out, a tall figure suddenly broke through the crowd, coming to her side and spreading his arms to shield her from the chaos.
Her vision blurred for a moment.
The next second, a clear voice sounded in her ear, "All these questions will be addressed in a statement from KS later. Ms. Taylor isn't feeling well, please make way, I need to take her to the hospital."
Evelyn's eyes widened in shock as she stared at Gilbert's face, filled with grave concern.
'Gilbert hasn't shown up all night. How did he know I wasn't feeling well?'
In a daze, the grievances of those three years and all the heartaches and injustices flashed vividly before her eyes.
When she was with Edward, he never cared about her. Even during the days when she was bedridden after a miscarriage, he coldly refused her request for a glass of warm water.
Even if he didn't know her physical condition at the time, the fact that he wouldn't do such a small thing for her showed that she was neither in his heart nor in his eyes.
Gilbert saw a drop of crystal-clear sweat trickle down Evelyn's forehead, a strong pain crossing his heart. He furrowed his brows tightly and supported her, his left arm naturally wrapping around her soft waist.
"Are you okay?" he asked hoarsely in her ear.
Evelyn breathed lightly.
"Can you make it to the hospital? Should I call an ambulance?" Gilbert's long fingers held her waist, and every word he whispered in her ear was filled with burning affection.
She forced a smile, "It's okay."
Gilbert, usually cold-hearted, had never felt pity for anyone, except for Evelyn.
Seeing her so weak, his heart gradually melted, becoming tender, and he just wanted to care for her deeply.
"I'm here. Don't worry, I'll take you." Gilbert supported her, using his body as a shield, protecting her as they slowly moved forward.
"Sir, may I ask who you are?" A reporter, seeing Gilbert's intimate behavior with Ms. Taylor, couldn't help but be curious.
Gilbert's eyes showed no emotion as he coldly replied, "Gilbert from the Alexander Group."
'The Alexander family? A family no less prestigious than the Wellington family!
It makes sense that not just any man could get close to Ms. Taylor. Only families like the Wellington family or the Alexander family can be worthy of the daughter of the richest man in Hameen and a top jewelry designer,' the reporter thought.
"Mr. Alexander, may I ask what your relationship with Ms. Taylor is? Are you two dating?" the reporter added.
Evelyn was in so much pain at the moment that she mentally rolled her eyes.
"I am Ms. Taylor's suitor," Gilbert said, lowering his long lashes and gazing deeply at Evelyn in his arms, as if the whole world was shut out and only she could reach him.
Evelyn was puzzled.
The crowd gasped!
Flashbulbs flickered like crazy, capturing every moment without holding back!
Suddenly, Edward's tall, statue-like figure swept to Evelyn's side like a gust of wind.
Without a word, he yanked Evelyn from Gilbert's arms, wrapping his arm around her waist with an iron grip, silently and efficiently leading her out of the crowd.
"Edward! Let go of me!" Evelyn gasped in pain, her struggles weak.
But Edward ignored her anger, his Adam's apple tightening, and the veins on his forehead throbbing, only focused on taking her away, like a madman.
The crowd was full of confusion, wondering, 'Is he also a suitor?'
In a secluded hallway, Evelyn finally couldn't bear it anymore, trembling all over as she fiercely shook off his hand.
But when she broke free, Edward swiftly grabbed her slender wrist again, pulling her back into his arms.
Afraid she would run, he gripped her lower back tightly, pressing her firmly against his chest.
It had been a long, long time since he had desired something so intensely.
And at this moment, he clearly felt that no matter how clear his mind was, his body uncontrollably craved her.
"Edward, what are you doing?" Evelyn said, still weak.
Evelyn was really out of strength, her breathing erratic, the stabbing pain in her stomach bringing tears to her eyes.
"Evelyn, what do I have to do? What more do I have to do for you to stop treating me this way?" Edward's breathing was heavy, his prominent Adam's apple trembling slightly, his superior jawline taut and sharp, his long lashes damp with the mist in his eyes.
This handsome face was now very angry and very desperate.
"I treating you this way?" Evelyn half-closed her eyes, too tired to argue with Edward, finding it utterly pointless, "Let go, or don't blame me for being rude."
"Do you think I can't protect you? Or are you using this to humiliate me?" Edward's fingers tightened, as if he wanted to crush Evelyn's wrist, his eyes turning red.
He had seen Gilbert publicly confess to his woman just now.
Yet she was being tenderly cared for by another man, meticulously looked after, and even attempted to be won over and claimed by the man!
The pain in his heart at that moment was no less than being trampled by a thousand horses, his body sinking heavily, as if stepping into an abyss.
Evelyn's eyes were icy cold.
"Evelyn," Edward said, stunned.
The next second, Evelyn's red lips curled into a cold sneer, and a butterfly knife snapped out, pressing against Edward's chest.
