Chapter 529A Match Made in Heaven?
Evelyn didn't even have time to hang up the phone or change her clothes. Like a bird breaking free from its cage, she dashed through the long corridor and out the front door of Oasis Villa.
The night was quiet, with only a single streetlamp casting a soft glow.
A tall, handsome figure stood under the light, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
The forecast had predicted heavy rain tonight, but Edward didn't care. After finishing his work at Mugden, he drove alone to meet his beloved.
It had only been a day.
But he missed her so much it hurt.
"Edward!"
Evelyn pushed open the heavy door, tears glistening in her eyes as she ran toward him.
Edward's eyes widened, then narrowed into slits. His thin lips curved into a beautiful, sweet smile of happiness.
He had already opened his arms to welcome her, but she reached him first. He tightened his strong arms around her, holding her close.
"I rushed here as fast as I could. I was so afraid you'd fall asleep and I wouldn't get to see you."
Edward's warm breath brushed against her ear, his right arm tightening around her slender waist, his left hand gently stroking her back. His voice was low and tender. "But even if you had, I would have waited all night. Waiting until morning would have been torture."
"Edward." Evelyn sniffled, her eyes red.
It felt like there was no place in the world as comforting as his embrace.
"Evelyn, are you... crying?"
Edward was a bit surprised. He lifted her chin gently, raising her warm face.
Seeing her tear-filled eyes, his heart ached, and his brows furrowed slightly. "You're really crying? Who hurt you?"
Evelyn pressed her fingers against his chest, wrinkling his shirt.
She thought of Charlie's cruel words, saying that Jennifer's marriage to the Alexander family was to make way for her and Edward. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she choked out, "Are we... not supposed to be together?"
Edward's heart tightened, his lips trembling. "Evelyn, what's wrong? Why are you saying this all of a sudden?"
"Is it because we're together that others have to suffer?"
Evelyn's voice grew more tearful. She was always strong in front of others, but in front of the man she loved, she became soft and vulnerable. "First Simon... and now Jennifer. Edward, do you think we're not meant to be together? Everyone around us ends up miserable!"
He turned pale, his heart aching, his hands trembling as they held her waist. His voice was tight with worry. "Evelyn... don't scare me. What's going on? Please, tell me."
Evelyn bit her lip, unsure of how to begin.
"Evelyn... I'll do anything for you. Even if you want me to give up the entire Wellington Group, I would."
Edward's voice was choked, his breathing labored. "Just... don't leave me. Don't leave me."
They had been through so much to be together. How could she bear to leave him?
But how could she change Charlie's mind and stop Jennifer from marrying Gilbert?
Evelyn took a deep breath and told Edward the gist of what had happened that night, leaving out her argument with Charlie.
She downplayed it, not wanting him to worry or feel guilty.
Edward's strong arms tightened around her waist, his brows furrowing. "So, just because you're with me, Mr. Taylor wants Jennifer to marry into the Alexander family? Even if he favors them, this is too sudden."
"It seems sudden, but it's not." Evelyn shook her head in frustration. "Charlie's been planning this for a while. He's always been unhappy about us being together. He might have already talked to Elbert about it, planning for me to marry into the Alexander family."
"At the last horse race, I heard from William that there were rumors about Charlie and Gilbert getting along well. It might have been a setup for the marriage."
"But then the Clark family caused trouble, and Tiffany got arrested, disrupting their plans. Otherwise, with Charlie’s strong personality, he might have announced my engagement to Gilbert at the race. He would totally do that!"
Edward felt a burning pain where she clutched him, but it was a happy pain. "Evelyn, don’t worry. Even if Mr. Taylor does that, do you think I would just stand by and let you get involved with Gilbert?"
He took her small hand, kissed it, and looked at her with intense eyes. "I would do whatever it takes to get you back."
'You don't need to take me back; I've always been yours.'
Evelyn thought silently, her long lashes fluttering. "But thanks to Jessica causing trouble, Charlie has changed his view of you. Otherwise, he might have made both Jennifer and me marry into the Alexander family to make you give up completely."
"So I think Elbert must have said something to Charlie, pressured him, which is why he’s making Jennifer marry into the Alexander family. It’s infuriating!"
Edward felt her anger and was distressed. "Evelyn, I hate to say this, but Gilbert was obsessed with you before. He might not marry Jennifer."
"If he wants to take you, he won't accept the marriage. And with Randy crippled, Mr. Taylor won't let Jennifer marry him. This engagement might end up being canceled."
"Even so, Gilbert is crazy when he gets desperate. Who knows what he'll do?"
Evelyn rested her head on his chest and sighed. "Maybe this is part of his plan. By accepting the marriage, he can pressure me, make me feel guilty, and make it hard for me to be with you."
"Don't worry, Evelyn. We'll face this together and find a solution."
As soon as he finished speaking, thunder rumbled in the distance, and lightning split the sky.
A few seconds later, heavy rain began to pour.
Edward quickly opened the car door, and they climbed into the back seat.
Maybe it was the confined, warm space of the car that heightened their emotions. They embraced and kissed passionately, more intensely than the storm outside.
Breathing heavily, Evelyn was kissed until she felt dizzy, fumbling with his tie.
Edward's eyes were filled with a burning desire. His large hand hooked her silk nightgown strap, letting it slide down to her waist, revealing a swath of smooth, delicate skin that made him lose control.
"Evelyn..."
He couldn't hold back any longer and leaned down over her.
Through the rain-blurred windows, their entwined shadows moved together.
The car was too cramped for this, but even so, Evelyn felt like she was floating on a cloud, her face flushed, melting under him.
After their passionate encounter, the rain gradually stopped.
Evelyn, feeling weak all over, was nestled in Edward's arms, her hair a mess from sweat.
"Next time... Mr. Wellington, can you get a room? My back is killing me."
Edward chuckled mischievously. "And getting a room will make your back feel better?"
Evelyn blushed and playfully punched his chest.
"Evelyn, there's a party this weekend. Almost all the prominent families from Mugden will be there."
Edward's expression turned serious and sincere. "I want to announce our relationship publicly. Is that okay?"
Evelyn's eyes widened, staring into his intense gaze, speechless for a moment.
He mistook her silence for reluctance and squeezed her hand. "Actually, I want to propose to you. But I'm afraid you're not ready, and I don't want to rush you and make you feel pressured."
"Why... that day?"
"Because I can't wait any longer."
Edward's voice choked with emotion. "I can't wait to tell everyone that I belong to you."
---
William dragged his exhausted body back to the Flynn family.
He had heard from Evelyn that Jennifer had been crying and had called her countless times, but she hadn't answered once.
In the end, she even turned off her phone.
He couldn't understand why, after being so close during the day, she suddenly didn't want to see him at night.
What had happened... his head was about to explode!
"My dear brother, how was your date with Jennifer from the Taylor family today? Enjoyable?"
Gordon's mocking voice reached him, and William turned to face him coldly.
"Doesn't seem like it was very enjoyable, judging by your face."
Gordon walked over, shaking his head in mock sympathy. "What, did the fortune you were about to secure disappear?"
"I wondered who it was. Turns out it's the Wellington family's lapdog." William sneered, ignoring his taunts.
"I'm a dog, but at least I earn my keep."
Gordon was shameless as he continued to mock. "Better than you, a useless guy who climbs up by relying on women. Couldn't get Evelyn, so you settled for Jennifer, all to marry into a wealthy family. Impressive!"
William finally couldn't take it anymore. His fist, hard as iron, was ready to strike Gordon's nose again when Isla arrived just in time. "William! Stop!"
But William, in his rage, wouldn't listen and was already in Gordon's face!
Gordon shivered and quickly covered his nose!
"William! Are you really going to hit Gordon over that bitch? Are you trying to drive me to my grave?" Isla scolded, her heart aching.
"Mom, Jennifer is the woman I love most. Please don't insult her like that!" William shouted back, his eyes red with anger.
Isla was stunned, her heart aching.
Her youngest son had always been the most filial and considerate.
In twenty-eight years, this was the first time he had dared to defy her, and it broke her heart.
"I want to be with Jennifer. I want to marry her."
William's blood was boiling, and he spoke each word with determination. "I don't want anyone but Jennifer!"
"So you don't want your family, don't want your mother?" Isla cried.
"If you still want me as your son, please don't speak ill of Jennifer or try to stop me from loving her. Of course, even if you try, you won't succeed."
With that, William turned and headed upstairs.
"William! Stop right there!"
Isla shouted at his back. "Are you trying to kill me? I tell you... I will never let the daughter of a mistress from the Taylor family join our family! Not unless I'm dead!"
William paused.
Isla felt a glimmer of hope, thinking he had changed his mind.
But he only said coldly, "Gordon, I advise you to stop trying to get Tiffany off the hook. Otherwise, I don't know what I'll do."
"You little punk, are you threatening me?" Gordon sneered, angered.
"So what if I am? I'm a guard dog. Push me too far, and I'll tear out your throat."
William left without looking back.
Gordon stood there, shivering with fear.
---
Ever since the two families discussed the marriage, Randy had been having dreams about Jennifer for two nights in a row.
Even though she was just Joyce's daughter and couldn't compare to Evelyn in status, Jennifer was undeniably pretty and delicate.
But that wasn't the most important thing.
The most important thing was that, in his current fallen state, he desperately needed the Taylor family's support. He couldn't let Gilbert trample him!
That night, he called Helen to the wine cellar.
When they were kids, the three siblings loved playing in their father's wine cellar. As they grew up, it became their place for private conversations.
"Randy, you want to marry Joyce's daughter? That's a bit beneath you."
Helen, who had always been closest to Randy, felt it was beneath him. "You're Dad's favorite son. Joyce is nothing, just a mistress with an illegitimate daughter. The Taylor family has five children from the first wife, including Evelyn. Donna, the second wife, has a son and a daughter. The Taylor family fortune won't go to Joyce and her daughter. What do you gain from marrying her?"
"No, the Taylor family is different from other wealthy families. Mr. Taylor values his children, even if he doesn't care about the women."
Randy took a bitter swig of wine. "And in my current state, do I have any other choice? I have to take what I can get!"
Helen had nothing more to say and asked, "So what's your plan? You must want my help."
"You high-society ladies always have some tricks up your sleeves. Help me get Jennifer first, so Gilbert can't compete with me." Randy leaned in, his expression grim.
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