Chapter 235 Whoever Schemes Against Evelyn, I Won't Forgive
The next day, Evelyn woke up, finding herself in her bedroom in Hameen.
"Whoa! How'd I end up back home?" She yelped and gave her cheek a good pinch.
'Ouch! So, this ain't a dream. I'm really home.'
Just then, Donna and Susan barged in to check on her and saw she was awake.
"Evelyn, how you feelin'? Still got that stomachache?" Donna rushed to her side, sat down, and gently stroked her now thinner cheek. "Girl, you've lost weight again. Been overworking yourself?"
"Evelyn, you shouldn't go back to Mugden. Just stay here!" Susan chimed in, her eyes getting all teary. "You're the Taylor family's princess. Why you gotta compete with those smelly dudes? Whatever you want, just say it. If you want BOBO, I'll even slice it up for you like sashimi!"
Evelyn couldn't help but feel helpless.
"Susan just doesn't know how to show she cares. She's worried," Donna said, feeling both heartache and guilt. "If anything happens to you, I can't face Victoria. Before she passed, she told us to let you grow up carefree, not to suffer."
"It's just a stomachache, no biggie." Evelyn waved her hand, thinking they were making a mountain out of a molehill.
Susan's eyes went wide as saucers. "No biggie? When you coughed a couple of times as a kid, we worried for days!"
"Evelyn, Charlie didn't sleep 'cause you were sick. He didn't even have breakfast, just waiting for you to wake up," Donna sighed.
"What? That's not cool!" Evelyn, who had been feeling lazy, immediately sat up upon hearing that Charlie hadn't eaten. "I'll go over and force-feed him if I have to!"
Suddenly, Evelyn asked, "By the way, how did I get home last night?"
Donna said, "Landon carried you back."
Susan frowned and added, "But Landon didn't look too happy when he brought you back. It's rare to see him show any emotion. What did you do to him?"
Evelyn shivered. "How would I dare do anything to Landon?"
Donna and Susan said, "Then he must have done something to someone else."
Evelyn pinched her sore temples and got out of bed, saying, "Never mind that, I'll go check on Charlie first."
In the study, Charlie sat on the sofa, sighing and frowning.
He thought of how Evelyn had been carried home by Landon from Mugden, her face pale, and how she had cried out in pain even in her sleep. His heart ached like it was being twisted by a knife.
"Mr. Wellington, did you see the trending news today? Everyone online is praising Evelyn, calling her an angel, a legend," Hubert said, trying to cheer him up.
"I think she's a mischievous monkey. She won't be happy until she pokes a hole in the sky!" Charlie angrily slapped the armrest. "Is it too hard for her to just be the daughter of the Taylor family? Does she have to turn the world upside down to feel satisfied?"
Joyce blinked her bright eyes in surprise. "Charlie, did you know all along that Alexa is Evelyn?"
"She's my own daughter. The only thing I didn't know is that she married Edward from the Wellington family. What else wouldn't I know?" Charlie was so mad he started slapping his thigh.
"Then you should be proud of Evelyn." Joyce's face flushed with excitement at the thought of Evelyn being Alexa. "She's a top jewelry designer! Even Queen Yatuok wears her designs to state banquets!"
"Joyce, it's not that I don't appreciate Evelyn's talent. I just think she's too flashy and reckless. Her independent struggle in Mugden, with such a brazen attitude, easily makes her enemies!" Charlie rubbed his temples in frustration. "People aren't what they used to be; everyone harbors ill intentions. I'm afraid someone will plot against her! Even if I have the power to help her, it would be too late by then."
At this moment, the door swung open, and Evelyn swaggered in, saying,
"Alright, who's the troublemaker here? If you don't eat right, I'll raid your stash and donate all your fancy pieces to the nursing home for the elderly to use as chamber pots!"
"Evelyn, you feeling better?" Joyce rushed over, all concerned.
"Joyce, I'm good," Evelyn replied.
"Cool, you two chat. I'll whip up some desserts." Joyce made a gesture above her head, hinting that Charlie was still fuming.
Evelyn flashed an "OK" sign and grinned at her.
Once Joyce left, Hubert also made himself scarce.
"Charlie, I heard everything you said to Joyce just now." Evelyn scooted close to Charlie, wrapping her arms around his neck, their heads touching. "You underestimate me. My arrogance means I have the guts and strength to back it up."
"But aren't you feeling bad?" Charlie shook his head, looking helpless. "Why do you stir the pot, causing all this chaos and making me worry at my age?"
"Are you talking about the Wellington family women?" Evelyn couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm worried you'll get hurt, you know?"
Charlie affectionately wrapped his arm around Evelyn's slim waist. Suddenly, he remembered something and frowned, asking, "You caused such a stir with the Wellington family. Did Edward, as the CEO, give you a hard time?"
Evelyn's heart skipped a beat, and she shook her head. "No, actually, he even helped push things along this time."
Charlie raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"The female reporter who stood up to testify against Debra—I thought she was in a deep coma, but it was Edward who secretly helped her and brought her to the charity event," Evelyn's eyes sparkled as she spoke.
"Edward used your event to solve his own problems. He's quite the sly fox. No wonder he's held the CEO position so firmly all these years." Charlie sneered and couldn't help but tease her. "You've been married to him for three years and have been safe and sound. That's quite lucky."
"Charlie, anyone who wants to play me hasn't been born yet," Evelyn bared her small white teeth, looking like a little lioness.
At that moment, Charlie's phone rang.
Evelyn picked it up for him and glanced at it, her expression darkening.
"Who is it?" Charlie asked.
"Patrick," she replied coldly.
Charlie cleared his throat, leisurely pressing the speaker button. "What's up, Patrick?"
"Mr. Taylor, I want to talk to you about last night's incident." Patrick, usually so proud, sounded way more humble this time. "I'll come to Hameen later and treat you to a meal."
"Recently, it seems we have no business to discuss." Charlie’s tone was mocking as he patted Evelyn's head. "Besides, Evelyn is back, and I need to spend time with her. If you have something to say, say it now."
Patrick paused and then laughed awkwardly. "Mr. Taylor, regarding the charity auction last night, I think there must be some misunderstanding. That receipt wasn't signed by Debra. If it's not signed by her, it's not valid."
"Patrick, regarding your daughter copying my daughter's work, I think there's no point in us discussing it here. Let your legal team talk to the Taylor family's legal team," Charlie said coldly and formally.
"Mr. Taylor! Are you really planning to sue us over such a small matter?" Patrick asked, clearly anxious.
"A small matter?" Charlie's expression instantly turned icy, his eyebrows sharp as a sword. "Anything related to my daughter is a big deal."
Evelyn, kneeling beside Charlie like a well-behaved kitten, had stars in her eyes upon hearing this.
"Mr. Taylor, it seems there's nothing more for our families to discuss?" Patrick asked, trying to keep his anger in check.
Charlie's eyes were cold as he rubbed his jaw and said, "The older I get, the more narrow-minded I become. In business, I can weigh the pros and cons, but when it comes to my family, I will never compromise. In short, anyone who schemes against my daughter will not be forgiven."
