Chapter 533 Her Intentions, He Understands Best
One sentence, and the atmosphere dropped to freezing point.
Evelyn's beautiful eyes widened slightly, a sour and swelling sense of grievance churning in her chest. "Jennifer, what do you mean by that? Are you saying I'm someone who only cares about my family's safety and doesn't care if others live or die—an extremely selfish person?"
These close relatives, who had always gotten along so well, were now confronting each other for the first time.
Edward's heart pounded anxiously. Caught in the middle, he felt so uncomfortable that his mouth went bitter. He could only gently tug at Evelyn's sleeve. "Evelyn, how could Jennifer possibly think that? Don't take it the wrong way."
"I'm taking it the wrong way? Then let her explain what she meant by that!" Evelyn pulled her sleeve from his anxious grasp.
Edward's heart trembled as he pressed his lips together miserably.
Outside, there were endless insults and accusations, yet she could remain calm. But this time, he could tell she was truly angry.
He knew well that what Evelyn couldn't stand most was being misunderstood by people close to her. That truly caused her more pain and torment than having her flesh scraped from her bones with a knife.
After days of bearing enormous mental pressure and racking her brains, she finally couldn't hold it in anymore at this moment and lost her temper with her most beloved younger sister.
"Evelyn, you still haven't answered my question."
But Jennifer was just as stubborn. She slowly stood up and asked again, word by word, "If I weren't your sister, would you still stop me?"
"If your question is based on you thinking I'm a selfish person, then I won't answer you at all."
Evelyn tried hard to suppress her anger and said to Edward in a low voice, "Edward, go get a car ready and take Jennifer home."
...
The two parted on bad terms.
After Jennifer left, Evelyn ran to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and gulped down an entire bottle of ice water, trying to physically cool herself down.
But it still couldn't put out the restless flames at her heart, or her blood pressure that kept rising.
What the heck! Eric's method for cooling down anger doesn't work at all. Let me try another bottle!
Just as Evelyn was about to down another bottle of ice water, a man's strong arm reached over her head, and his long, powerful hand pressed against the fridge door and shut it with a bang.
Evelyn lifted her face, luminous as a jewel, and happened to look into Edward's deep, charming eyes. Suddenly, even her anger subsided a bit.
"Sneaking cold drinks again when I'm not paying attention."
Edward frowned helplessly, his warm breath spraying on her nose, but his eyes were incredibly soft. "You mischievous thing, don't keep your emotions bottled up inside. Let them out, okay?"
"Never mind two bottles of cold water—right now I wish I could fly to Antarctica and jump in the ocean!" Evelyn pouted indignantly, her porcelain-white arms crossed over her chest as she leaned into his muscular chest.
"You jump, I jump." The man lowered his eyes and kissed her forehead.
"Ha... there you go again. I'm not in the mood for this childish game right now."
Evelyn turned around in his arms, about to speak, when a hot kiss accompanied by heavy breathing covered her lips, swallowing her words.
Their lips and tongues intertwined, playful and lingering.
Evelyn wrapped her arms around Edward's neck, her thoughts gradually consumed, and all her anger slowly melted away.
The two reluctantly parted from each other's lips—after all, if they kept kissing, they'd run out of oxygen.
"Why did you suddenly do that? What if May sees us... How embarrassing." Evelyn pressed her luscious lips together.
"I was afraid you'd really jump in the ocean in Antarctica, so I wanted to help you cool down."
Edward's breathing was still heavy, his voice hoarse. "How is it? Feeling better?"
"I guess... but I still feel wronged and really frustrated." Evelyn felt a tightness in her chest, her eyes were moist, and she sniffled.
This pitiful little expression made Edward's heart melt.
He cupped Evelyn's flushed face in both hands, his palms burning hot with her warmth. "Look how angry you are—your face is as hot as if you have a fever. You two sisters are so close, getting upset over those animals from the Alexander family really isn't worth it. Don't be angry anymore, okay?"
"How could I bear to be angry with her?"
Evelyn lowered her long lashes gloomily. "More than anything, I'm angry with myself. I didn't beat Randy down so badly that he couldn't get back up. I gave him a chance to catch his breath. It's all because I didn't finish the job. Who else can I blame? I can only blame myself."
Edward frowned with concern. "Evelyn, don't say that. It has nothing to do with you."
"Jennifer said I have selfish motives... Yes, I do have selfish motives. I want to get justice for those innocent girls, and I also want to protect my family's safety."
"Jennifer has been too well protected by Charlie and Joyce since childhood. Apart from going to school, where has she seen the darkness of this world or the evil of human nature? She's the Taylor family's daughter—her noble status can help her, but it can also destroy her."
Evelyn breathed heavily, her heart feeling as if it were being pinched by sharp tweezers, the pain piercing to her core. "She didn't consider it, but I've always remembered—she has a dream of being an actress. If in the future she wants to pursue an entertainment career, then being raped will become a shameful brand that can never be washed away. Whenever Jennifer's name comes up in the future, people will only think of this incident. Her name will be forever tied to Randy's name. How will she survive in the entertainment industry then? How will she cope? Words can kill without drawing blood. Randy will be dead and done with it, but she'll be gossiped about for the rest of her life!"
"Evelyn, I understand your concerns. But Jennifer is our family. With you and me protecting her, who would dare provoke her?" Edward consoled her in a low, gentle voice.
Evelyn's eyes, brimming with tears, reddened as she shook her head bitterly. "Joyce had Charlie protecting her, too, and what happened? Before Tiffany's downfall and self-destruction, she still lived in a psychological shadow she couldn't escape. I don't want Jennifer to become like that..."
"I also know the situations are different. Joyce was framed, while Jennifer is clearly the victim. For a girl who's been through this to dare stand up as a witness is already very brave. I'm proud that Jennifer has such courage."
"But the pressure behind such courage is terrifying... Countless eyes are watching the Taylor family. Jennifer still wants to live in the spotlight in the future... I don't want her to regret for half her life a choice she made today in a moment of passionate impulse."
"Evelyn, as her family member, you really worry too much." Edward pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.
"Edward... I know I'm being too greedy."
Evelyn pressed her face against his broad shoulder, her throat choking up. "I always hope to find a solution that works for everyone. I always hope everyone can be happy. And I hope even more... to protect the people around me."
"But I've realized I'm just an ordinary person. What I can do... is only this much..."
"It's so good that you can admit you're an ordinary person."
Edward sighed and joked to help her relax. "I always thought I was dating an angel. Now that I know you're human, I feel relieved."
Evelyn didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Evelyn, you've already done great. I'm not even one ten-thousandth as good as you."
"Mr. Wellington, flattering me like this might damage your image."
The man replied in a low, hoarse voice: "In front of you, I only have one identity—your lover."
Evelyn's strong heart instantly broke down. All her emotions surged up, her nose stung, and tears burst from her eyes.
Edward frantically wiped her tears. She cried and punched his chest. "It's all your fault... getting all sentimental for no reason! You made me cry!"
"Crying is good. Crying it out is better than keeping it bottled up inside."
Edward pinched her wet little face. "Tonight, you sisters should both calm down. Tomorrow, when we have time, I'll go with you to see Jennifer and have a good talk with her. We'll definitely find a perfect solution."
Even if the whole world didn't understand her good intentions.
He understood her.
The young lady, transformed into a crybaby, rubbed her eyes and said in a sweet, delicate voice, "I'm hungry. Cook something for me."
Edward placed his right hand on his chest and his left hand behind his back, bowing like an elegant, handsome butler.
"As you wish, my love."
The next day, Edward and Evelyn returned to Hameen to find Jennifer.
But the news they got was that Jennifer hadn't come home at all. She had contacted Joyce, saying she had something important to handle at school and would be staying in the dorm for the next couple of days.
The couple looked at each other, both confused.
Jennifer had already graduated and even moved her luggage home. They couldn't figure out what matter required her to stay at school to resolve.
"Evelyn, what's wrong with Jennifer? Did something happen?" Joyce asked nervously.
"Nothing's wrong, Joyce. Edward and I wanted to take Jennifer out to have fun and relax. We didn't expect she'd still have things to do." Evelyn didn't want Joyce to worry, so she could only make this excuse.
"Evelyn, if you can find time to take her out, I'd really appreciate it."
Joyce's concern was written all over her face. "Ever since Randy was released, Jennifer hasn't been sleeping well these past few days and has barely eaten. She says she's fine, but I know... that child is hurting inside."
Hearing this, Evelyn felt even more upset and guilty, regretting saying such harsh words to Jennifer yesterday.
Beneath her calm exterior, Jennifer was enduring unprecedented torment in body and mind. As a victim, she needed comfort and care more than anyone. Yet she was worried about Evelyn's situation instead. She was really so thoughtful, it was heartbreaking.
"Evelyn, when you see Jennifer, please talk to her for me. Don't let that child get stuck in her own head anymore."
Joyce's tone was gentle but revealed a hint of helplessness. "What's past is past. When you're alive, you have to look forward."
When they left Oasis Villa, it was already evening.
Evelyn felt inexplicably heavy-hearted and took out her phone to call Jennifer.
But after just a few rings, the other side hung up.
"Jennifer... why would she hang up on me?" Evelyn stared at the darkened screen, suddenly feeling panicked.
"Maybe she's busy with something." Edward tried to comfort her.
"That's impossible. If Jennifer were busy, she just wouldn't answer. She would never hang up on my call. This has never happened before."
Evelyn grew more anxious the more she thought about it and grabbed the man's arm. "Edward, I'm scared. What if something happened?"
"If you're worried, we'll go back to Mugden right now. I'll have Bart go check on Jennifer's school first."
Before Edward finished speaking, William's call came through to Evelyn.
"Ms. Taylor! Can you help me contact Jennifer?"
William's voice was hoarse with urgency, as if scorched by fire. "From last night until now, I've called her countless times, and she hasn't answered a single one!"
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