Chapter 574 Ruin Her?
Gilbert's face went rigid.
Charlie hadn't mentioned his name, but every word was aimed at him. Anger surged from deep within, making his pale face burn.
"Mr. Taylor, everything Edward's doing now is just to win Evelyn over!"
Gilbert's fingers clenched tightly, his nails almost digging into his flesh, his desire to get rid of Edward undying. "If he really loved Evelyn, after three years of marriage, spending every day together, how could any normal guy not fall for her? But he still heartlessly dumped her in the end, proving he was never sincere!"
"Not love?" Charlie raised an eyebrow.
"Have you ever thought about when Edward started showing interest in Evelyn? Wasn't it after the divorce, when he found out the wife he had ignored for three years was the heiress of the Taylor Group?"
Gilbert's eyes were filled with anxiety as he spoke earnestly, "Everyone knows Edward isn't the legitimate son; his status is like that of a bastard. If it weren't for the eldest son's poor health, how would he have ended up managing the Wellington Group? His relentless pursuit of Evelyn now, is it really pure? Doesn't he have any intention of using the Taylor Group's power to change his awkward situation?"
"He forced Evelyn to divorce; his behavior is despicable to the core. Once unfaithful, aren't you afraid there will be a second, third time? Are you really willing to gamble your daughter's future on Edward's character?"
Hubert listened quietly, his brows slightly furrowed, observing Gilbert without a word. He hadn't realized before how formidable Gilbert's debating skills were.
"Gilbert, you seem to know more about my daughter's affairs than I, her own father."
Charlie still had a smile at the corner of his eyes, but his tone carried a hint of coldness, "If Edward is really as you say, a gold-digger, then he shouldn't have accepted my daughter hiding her identity. He should have directly married a wealthy heiress; wouldn't that have been easier?"
Gilbert was rendered speechless.
"I'm old, I can manage her for a while, but not for a lifetime. She chose her own path, and she has to walk it herself. If she gets hurt, that's her own doing; I can't monitor her every moment."
Gilbert's face twisted with hatred, his pale lips trembling, "Mr. Taylor, you..."
"If you're still not over Evelyn, you can compete with Edward fairly." Charlie withdrew his gaze, his lips curling coldly, "But don't come to me with this again. I have many children; if I worried about each one like this, I wouldn't live long."
With that, Charlie and Hubert turned and walked into the villa.
The door closed heavily, and a cold wind hit Gilbert like a slap in the face.
...
After talking with Gilbert, Charlie's steps felt inexplicably lighter.
"Gilbert's debating skills are quite impressive," he mocked.
"Indeed, you don't see some people's true abilities until a critical moment," Hubert agreed with a smile.
"Wasn't Edward quite eloquent at business summits, switching between languages, speaking fluently? But in front of me, all he does is swear and apologize, saying 'I'll treat Evelyn well,' tongue-tied." Charlie shook his head in disdain.
Hubert smiled knowingly, "But he has one good point. Gilbert is Ms. Taylor's childhood friend and rival. Have you ever heard Edward speak ill of him?"
Charlie looked at him suspiciously, "Seems like you quite admire Edward."
"You misunderstand, I'm just stating facts. Ms. Taylor grew up under my watch., I genuinely hope she marries happily."
"Your words are still praising him!" Charlie snorted.
Hubert dared not speak further.
Suddenly, Charlie stopped, standing by the window looking out. Hubert followed his gaze; this angle just allowed them to see outside the door.
They saw Gilbert angrily throw the dessert box to the ground, stomping on it, crushing the delicate desserts into pieces.
"Quite a temper," Charlie sneered, turning to leave.
Hubert watched Gilbert's face, now a stark contrast, relieved that Evelyn hadn't chosen this hypocrite.
Previously, the only one who faced rejection from Charlie was Edward. Now, Gilbert found himself in the same position. For someone with such a strong sense of pride, this was a tremendous humiliation.
"Mr. Alexander! Please calm down!" Curtis nervously cleaned up the mess on the ground. "Mr. Taylor has always admired you. He must have been upset by Ms. Taylor tonight and took it out on you. Once he's calmed down, he'll remember your good qualities."
"This time... it's different."
Gilbert's bloodshot eyes gleamed with a sinister coldness. "Charlie has clearly approved of Evelyn and Edward... he won't help me anymore."
His greatest support and strongest weapon had failed. Even with all his cunning, he was now at his wit's end.
Back in the car, Gilbert's face was as pale as a collapsing iceberg. He trembled as he pulled out his phone, dialing that man's number.
When the call connected, his usual pride and arrogance were gone, replaced by a humble tone:
"Sir... Charlie has approved, he won't help me anymore."
The voice on the other end was filled with undisguised mockery. "I told you before, to win Ms. Taylor, you need to use force. You kept trying to play the good guy, waiting for her to change her mind. So foolish it hurts. If you can't have her, then destroy her, don't let Edward benefit."
Destroy her?
She was his true love; how could he bear it?
"Have you decided? What's your next move?" The man's lazy voice carried a threat.
"Sir, give me one last chance!" Gilbert's face was pale and green, a sinister aura emanating as if from hell. "Your lab is developing a drug that can cause heart paralysis, right? Can you... give me a dose?"
"Oh? What do you plan to do with it?" The man laughed mockingly. "You wouldn't use it on yourself, would you? That drug hasn't passed clinical trials; it's very risky."
"I know, but this is my last gamble, I need to bet everything." Gilbert's eyes were bloodshot, his sanity teetering.
"Not on myself." He took a deep breath, his gaze dark. "Compassion and guilt are the hardest human weaknesses to overcome. Evelyn is too kind; I need her to owe me forever. Only then can I keep her... by my side."
Meanwhile, after talking with Evelyn, Edward returned to his room.
Eric knew his wife was already asleep at this hour, so he reluctantly headed to the study to handle some work.
He had truly changed.
Before, nothing could interrupt his sleep. Now, he couldn't sleep without finishing his work for the group. All his efforts were for Abigail's bright future.
"Sir."
Ellen's voice came from behind. Eric turned, "Not resting yet? I told you not to worry about me, just take care of the lady."
Ellen bit her lip, speaking softly, "There's something I must report tonight. You need to keep an eye on Peter from the Taylor family. He came today and interacted with the lady quite a bit while I was distracted. Though it wasn't love, I sensed he had a strong liking for her."
She didn't dare mention Molly mistaking Peter for him and hugging him, fearing Eric would confront him with a knife.
But even so, it was like a spark in a barrel of oil. Eric exploded, rushing towards the bedroom.
"Sir!"
Ellen hurriedly grabbed him. "The lady is already asleep, you'll wake her! Besides, her heart is full of you; she has no interest in him, don't take it out on her!"
Eric stared at her anxious face, his anger replaced by a helpless smile. "Ellen, do you really see me as such a petty person?"
Ellen's expression clearly said, "What else?"
"You know how much I love Molly, don't you? I trust her, unconditionally, forever." Eric sighed, thinking of the girl's clear doe eyes, his gaze instantly softer than the moonlight. "I haven't seen her all day. I miss her. I'll just kiss her, nothing more."
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