Chapter 288 I Have No Secrets from You
Evelyn had just finished patching up Edward when Todd, Byron Wellington's assistant, strolled in.
"Mr. Wellington, how are you feeling?" Todd asked.
"Pretty good, thanks to Evelyn," Edward replied, giving Evelyn a tender look.
Evelyn stepped aside a bit.
"Ms. Taylor, thank you so much," Todd said, about to bow in gratitude.
Evelyn quickly stepped forward, helping him up with both hands. "No need for that. It's my job."
"Ms. Taylor, you're always so good to Mr. Wellington," Todd, usually minding his own business, couldn't help but play matchmaker.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I take care of Edward because he's important to Byron," Evelyn said with a faint smile, "Everything I do is for him."
Todd smiled awkwardly. Edward, on the other hand, looked content and smiled indulgently.
"Mr. Edward Wellington, if you're feeling up to it, please head to the study. Mr. Byron Wellington has something to discuss with you," Todd said.
Edward was a bit surprised. "Alright."
Then he softly said to Evelyn, "Wait for me, I'll be right back."
"Who said I'd wait for you? I'm leaving now, goodbye!" Evelyn lifted her chin arrogantly and brushed past Edward.
Edward felt a pang of urgency, wanting to grab her hand and make her stay. But he just pursed his lips sadly, watching Evelyn leave the room.
Todd saw that a piece of Edward's heart went with Evelyn, as his intense gaze lingered on her, feeling both pleased and regretful.
"Todd, don't you think I look ridiculous right now?" Edward said with a self-deprecating smile. He had always considered Todd as a family, so he didn't hold back.
"Not at all," Todd's eyes were gentle as he said softly, "I should congratulate you for finally realizing your true feelings. You're single now, and so is Ms. Taylor. You still have a chance. I hope this time, you can love Ms. Taylor as she loved you. Follow her as she followed you. She is a wonderful girl, please don't disappoint her again."
Edward felt a lump in his throat, "Todd, do you think I still have a chance to win Evelyn back?"
Hearing this, Todd suddenly recalled the scene of Evelyn's bloodied legs as she was rushed into the emergency room, clutching his arm and begging him to keep it a secret from Edward.
He was struck as if by lightning, his pupils dilating, "It might be difficult, but please, no matter what, don't give up on Ms. Taylor."
Edward walked alone into Byron's study.
As the door closed, Evelyn retreated from the stairway corner and walked to the study door. She looked around, then slowly pressed her ear against the door.
Inside the study.
Byron sat on the sofa, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to Edward, who was sitting upright.
"Thanks, Grandpa," Edward said, taking the cup with both hands, sitting up straight and looking strong.
"Edward, does your injury still hurt?" Byron asked, concerned.
"It's just some scratches," Edward said, though he felt some old injuries flaring up, but he hid it well and smiled, "Don't worry, I'm not that weak. I was in the military, remember?"
"If you're so tough, why didn't you fight back? Patrick was out of line. Tiffany clearly put him up to it. Why didn't you take the whip from him and give Tiffany a taste of her own medicine?" Byron asked, clearly upset.
Edward just stared into his cup, not saying a word.
After a moment, Byron frowned and asked, "You're my grandson, a Wellington. Do you still feel like you owe this family?"
Edward frowned, his lips tightening.
At five years old, he and his terminally ill mother, Amanda, were barely surviving in the slums. One stormy night, a luxury car broke into their dark world. Their rundown house leaked everywhere, and the flimsy wooden door was easily pushed open.
Edward was by the bed, giving water to the almost unconscious Amanda. Patrick, young and handsome, in a high-end suit, walked in without a drop of water on his handmade shoes.
Edward looked at this god-like man, and in his shock, he had only one thought. He said, "Please save my mother!"
Patrick rushed to the bed. His eyes turned red when he saw Amanda, and he tearfully held her, "Amanda, Amanda, I'm sorry I came too late! I'm here to take you and our son home."
Edward could never forget Patrick's deep love for Amanda when he brought her back, even defying family pressure and public opinion to bring him, an illegitimate child, home.
He didn't understand if Patrick truly loved Amanda. If he did, he wouldn't have fallen for someone else, and Amanda wouldn't have succumbed to depression and jumped to her death.
He often asked himself. If Amanda was destined to die, was it more unfortunate to die in that stormy night of illness or under the heartlessness of the one she loved?
"You don't owe the Wellington family; we owes you," Byron said, full of sorrow, patting Edward's shoulder, tears welling up in his eyes, "The tragedy back then was all my fault. I know your father loved your mother, but at that time, the Wellington Group was facing a global economic crisis, with assets shrinking and major domestic projects halted, risking financial collapse at any moment."
He added, "So, I had no choice but to arrange a business marriage between your father and Heather Phillips from Minsklink. It was my fault for making you suffer so much as a child. I am guilty."
"Grandpa, you did what you had to do. I get it," Edward replied, his words hinting at his resentment towards Patrick.
Byron saw through Edward's thoughts and sighed heavily.
"I didn't fight back because of Caleb. Before he left Mugden to recuperate in Mythorica, he asked me not to make things too difficult with Patrick for his sake," Edward said, his deep, dark eyes flickering with light, "I endured as much as I could. But this is the last time. Next time, I won't hold back."
Byron's heart ached, the painful past replaying in his mind, his weathered face clouded with sorrow.
"Grandpa, I'm sorry. I spoke without thinking and brought up painful memories," Edward said, full of guilt, holding Byron's rough, dry hands with his warm ones, "I know that if it weren't for that incident, your chosen successor would have been Caleb. Caleb grew up by your side. He was the grandson you had high hopes for."
"Edward."
"Grandpa, I owe Caleb, and you," Edward's nose tingled with emotion, but he smiled gently, "Having a grandfather who truly cares for me is something I never dared to dream of as a child. I have no right to ask for more."
"Edward, listen to me!" Byron shouted, his hands trembling as he placed them on Edward's broad shoulders, looking him in the eyes with a piercing gaze, "In my eyes, both of you are my grandsons. I love you equally. As for what you said, I didn't hear any of it! Let me say it again, and you better listen! Even if Caleb comes back safe and sound, and even if none of that ever happened, I'd still choose you to be the group's successor."
Edward was stunned.
"It doesn't matter even if everyone in the Wellington family doesn't support you. I support you, and I have your back!"
Outside the door, Evelyn was eavesdropping. She was almost pressed against the door, listening intently to Byron and Edward's conversation inside.
Although her hearing was good, the soundproofing of the mansion's door was excellent, so she couldn't hear everything clearly.
Edward's voice was low, but Byron's was strong and clear, and Evelyn caught most of what he said.
"What happened to Caleb back then? It sounds serious," she murmured.
During the three years Evelyn was married into the Wellington family, she had never seen Caleb.
May had told her that Caleb was in poor health and had been recuperating in Mythorica for years, even giving up his heir position to his half-brother Edward. Listening just now, why did she vaguely feel that Caleb's illness seemed to be related to Edward?
Suddenly, the study door opened!
Evelyn was still lost in thought, maintaining her eavesdropping posture. She didn't realize she had bumped right into Edward's firm chest before finally snapping back to reality and letting out a startled cry!
Byron's voice came from inside the room, "Edward, is that Lily outside?"
"It's nothing, Grandpa. You must have misheard. You should rest early." As he spoke, Edward had already closed the door, looking at her with tender satisfaction, his eyes sparkling.
"Were you eavesdropping?" he asked.
"Goodbye!" Evelyn turned to flee.
But Edward grabbed her slender waist, pulling her into his arms. Evelyn struggled angrily, trying to break free from his embrace.
Edward's eyes darkened, and he held her waist firmly, "Answer me."
"I was just coming to say goodbye to Grandpa Byron, not to listen to your secrets! Let go of me, I want to go back!" Evelyn blushed as she twisted her waist.
Edward gazed at Evelyn, feeling a tickle in his heart, like a feather brushing against it. Evelyn's blushed face and her earnest attempts to explain were incredibly adorable.
"No secrets," Edward chuckled softly.
Evelyn was momentarily stunned.
"I have no secrets from you," Edward suddenly leaned in, his warm breath almost touching her lips, barely restraining the urge to kiss her, "Whatever you want to know, I can tell you. As long as you want to hear it, I'll say it."
"Alright, then tell me, what happened between you and Caleb?" Evelyn couldn't suppress her curiosity and asked, blinking her beautiful eyes.
"When things settle down, I'll find a suitable time to tell you my story. But tonight, you're tired and should go rest." Edward suddenly caught her off guard with a gentle, restrained kiss on her smooth forehead, "Evelyn, goodnight."
Outside Half Moon Bay.
It was a cold night, and Evelyn had left in a hurry. William, worried she might catch a cold, had brought a thick down jacket when he came to pick her up.
When Evelyn finally walked out of the villa gate, he had been waiting for a long time. His feet were numb from the cold.
"Miss!" William called out to her with a smile.
But she didn't respond, just walking forward with a blushed face.
"Miss!" William grabbed her, full of concern, "Are you alright?"
Evelyn snapped out of her daze, "I'm fine. Thank you for coming to pick me up. Let's get in the car. William, I need you to look into something for me tomorrow."
"At your service."
"Find out about the relationship between Edward and Caleb, and what happened in the Wellington family before Caleb left Mugden for Mythorica."
She didn't believe Edward would be honest with her. She needed answers to her questions.
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