Chapter 603 Thank You for Your Courage
Edward's hand paused as he was combing through Evelyn's hair, and he also looked at the phone screen.
"Evelyn, do you recognize this number?"
"No, I don't."
"Are you still going to answer it?" He frowned slightly.
Evelyn actually never answered calls from unknown numbers, and rarely received calls from unfamiliar numbers.
But this time, her heart was beating with anticipation. If she didn't answer this call, she felt like she'd be missing out on something huge.
"Hello," Evelyn answered, her voice warm and gentle.
"Hello... hello."
From the other end came a timid, soft, delicate girl's voice.
Evelyn and Edward exchanged glances. She immediately put it on speaker and started recording. "May I ask... who's calling?"
"Is this... Evelyn?" the girl asked quietly.
"Yes, I'm Evelyn."
"I'm... Anna."
Both of them tensed up instantly, especially Evelyn. Her heart pounded like a drum, her fingertips trembled, and her palms were sweating.
Edward gazed deeply at Evelyn, holding his breath. He took her slender hand and pressed it against his chest, giving her a sense of security that no one else could provide.
"Anna, you finally called me."
Evelyn's voice was soft and warm. To close the distance, she didn't call her Ms. May. "I've been waiting for your call every day, and finally you reached out."
Edward's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Evelyn's barely contained excitement.
She said she'd been waiting for Anna's call all along, which meant she must have had a chance to meet Anna and communicate with her. Otherwise, where would these words come from?
But when did they connect? How did he not notice at all!
"Every day... waiting for me?"
Anna paused, her voice weak. "Ms. Taylor, what if I never contacted you?"
"Then I'd still be willing to wait. Whether to contact me is your choice, but whether to wait or not is mine." Evelyn's eyes were determined, every word filled with firm resolve.
There was another long silence on the other end.
But Evelyn gave her all the patience in the world. She didn't speak, just waited quietly.
Edward sometimes really admired this side of Evelyn—her ability to stay calm. To achieve her goals, she could humble herself, endure hardships, and build up her strength. She never acted superior because of her privileged background or showed any arrogance.
This kind of patience—he only had it for her. With others, he really didn't have her level of patience.
"Ms. Taylor, I'm contacting you because I want to tell you... I'm willing to be a witness and testify that Randy raped me!" Anna's throat choked up, her trembling words seeming to be forced through gritted teeth!
Edward's lashes fluttered heavily, his heartbeat accelerated, his jawline tense and cold!
At this moment, Evelyn's lips trembled slightly. She barely managed to control the urge to cry and said softly:
"Okay, as long as you're willing. Mr. Wellington from the Wellington Group and I will always support you."
The man's heart felt like it had been hit hard, contracting violently, swelling with emotion.
His impoverished childhood and broken family made it hard for him to open his heart or empathize with anyone except those he loved.
Yet at this moment, this intense trembling in his heart, accompanied by bitterness and sadness—wasn't this empathy?
"Right now... my mom watches me very closely. Even when I go out, she has to come with me. I basically have no privacy. But I can sneak out to meet you after my mom falls asleep at night."
"Anna, tonight Mr. Wellington and I will pick you up downstairs from your place. Don't worry, we won't let anyone find out." Evelyn's heart was pounding as she promised earnestly.
"I'm not afraid of being found out. That's just the only time I can get out." Anna sighed in frustration.
"We're picking you up mainly for your safety."
Edward's voice was low and serious. "It's very likely that the Alexander family is monitoring your every move right now. If you go out rashly and the Alexander family notices, they might harm you."
Anna was startled. "Ms. Taylor, who is this..."
"Anna, don't be afraid. It's Mr. Wellington. He's here with me." Evelyn gently raised her delicate hand toward her face.
Edward leaned in, like an elegant butler serving a queen, bringing his strikingly handsome face close to hers until their noses touched.
Evelyn paused, blinking her bright eyes.
But at that moment, the man kissed her lovely lips.
His tongue teased slowly, and just when he had Evelyn feeling dizzy, he pulled away.
So bad, getting worse and worse!
"Mr. Wellington? Really, Mr. Wellington?"
Anna suddenly brightened up, her previously dejected voice becoming clear with excitement. "Mr. Wellington! I... I really admire you! You're my idol!"
Edward frowned slightly, and after a moment, replied expressionlessly: "Thank you."
"I... I think you're very handsome, more handsome than any celebrity. I really like you!"
"I already have someone I love, and that's Ms. Taylor." Edward's expression was indifferent as he put his arm around Evelyn's shoulder.
"No, no! Don't misunderstand!"
Anna hurriedly explained in a panic. "I admire and respect your talent and appearance. I don't mean anything else!
And... actually, I'm a fan of both you and Ms. Taylor! I... I think you two are super, super perfect together!"
"Mr. Wellington has been trashed so badly online, and all they say is he has good looks and nothing else, yet he still has fans. Looks really are everything these days."
Evelyn teased Edward on purpose, but the pleased smile in her eyes couldn't be hidden.
"No, that's not it. Even though Mr. Wellington often gets criticized... I believe that Mr. Wellington and Ms. Taylor truly love each other."
Anna spoke sincerely. "I also decided to take this step because... I like you both and trust you."
"Anna, thank you for liking us, and thank you for your courage."
Evelyn smiled warmly. "Stay safe. See you tonight."
After hanging up, Edward couldn't wait to ask: "Evelyn, what magic did you work? That girl is actually willing to testify? Tell me quickly."
"Actually, it's nothing. I just got her email address and occasionally sent her a message or two with my contact information, saying I'd be waiting to hear from her." Evelyn was so happy she could jump, though her tone was casual.
But Edward knew that in the process, in places he couldn't see, she must have put in a lot of effort.
Evelyn wrapped her arms tightly around the man's neck, her soft body practically hanging on him as if melting into his chest. "Prophet! You really are a prophet! You said it yourself—until the very end, there's always a chance for things to turn around!"
Edward, praised by Evelyn, beamed with joy, his eyes sparkling. "Evelyn, I'm no prophet. If you hadn't been planning behind the scenes, how would things have taken a turn for the better?"
Evelyn shook her head stubbornly. "No, I say you are, so you are."
"Evelyn, I used to be a very pessimistic person. When I joined the defense forces and faced death, I never even thought about coming back from the battlefield alive.
It's because of you. You influenced me and made me optimistic. When we were attacked on the South Island, even when life and death were uncertain the next second, thinking of you gave me strength and kept hope alive in my heart."
Edward's heartfelt words made Evelyn's eyes well up with tears as she planted a loud kiss on his lips.
The man's mood lifted, and with his large hand on Evelyn's incredibly slim waist, he easily lifted her and spun her around.
"Ah! Oh no!"
Suddenly, Evelyn felt a chill. The only thing covering her—the towel wrapped around her waist—had somehow come loose and flown off.
The spring scene that made a man's blood boil was now fully visible.
"I think this is just right."
Edward grinned mischievously, scooping Evelyn up in his arms and kissing her as he walked toward the bedroom.
"What... what are you doing? I just took a bath!" Evelyn's alarm bells were ringing as she pounded on his chest, though her body was turning an enticing peachy pink.
Edward murmured in a husky voice, his eyes tinged with red. "I'll help you wash again in a bit. Let me recharge first."
Finally, night fell. Evelyn and Edward, bringing only Bart, came to Anna's building again.
The couple sat in the car while Bart stood at the entrance, vigilantly looking around, waiting for the girl to appear.
Before long, a pretty figure in a simple T-shirt and jeans walked out.
Evelyn and Edward, sitting in the car, finally relaxed when they saw Anna appear. They wanted to greet her personally, but three people would be too conspicuous and attract too much attention.
"Anna?"
Bart paused, calmly sizing up the fresh-looking girl before him.
Anna was fair-skinned and pretty—no wonder Randy had targeted her!
But she did look somewhat mature, not quite like a seventeen-year-old girl.
"Yes... I'm Anna." Anna blinked her big eyes, timidly looking at this well-dressed man.
He had a refined manner and elegant bearing, completely out of place in this poor neighborhood.
She felt self-conscious and took a small step back.
Bart smiled warmly, making a gentlemanly gesture. "Mr. Wellington and his wife are waiting for you. Please come with me."
"Wife... wife?"
"That's Ms. Taylor."
Anna, thinking she was about to meet the important people she admired, was so excited her eyes sparkled.
She followed Bart toward the black car.
Bart then noticed that the girl was carrying a white cartoon plush toy backpack that looked like a rabbit or maybe a bear—cute in an odd way.
"That's really cute."
"Th... thank you."
Bart paused. "I meant your bag. It's really cute."
Anna realized she'd been presumptuous and blushed to her ears. "Oh... well, thank you too. Thank you."
The black car quietly left in the thick darkness of night.
At that moment, a sneaky shadow emerged from around the corner of the old apartment complex's wall, coldly watching the direction they drove off in, and pulled out a phone.
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