Chapter 62 Who Does He Think He Is?
Evelyn got into the car and fell silent. She appeared devoid of energy, moving like a machine with a glitch.
Every time Evelyn remembered the hurtful things Edward had said to her, it felt like she was drenched in ice-cold water from head to toe, shaking with anger.
It never showed that Edward could be so despicable, so vile, and so shameless. Indeed, love may blind people to happiness, but it certainly turned them into blind fools.
"Evelyn, I've released the video as you instructed. Look, Debra, Arya, and Melinda are fighting amongst themselves!" William eagerly showed the phone screen to Evelyn.
Evelyn raised her eyelids slightly and saw the intense fight between the three women on the screen. "These women are really fierce when they fight each other. Debra has some serious fighting skills. She's holding her own against Arya and Melinda. It's a shame she's not in a wrestling match," William chuckled maliciously.
"Their fights only involve slapping each other’s faces or pulling hair, lacking any real technique. It's not amusing." Despite her words, Evelyn's gaze remained fixed on the screen, her mouth expressing disdain while her body was engrossed in watching them fighting, which really helped relieve stress.
"Evelyn, were all the photos really deleted by Edward?" William thought of Edward hugging Evelyn's waist, a behavior that was clearly harassment, making his eyes well up with anger.
But then William sadly realized that Edward and Evelyn were once a married couple, and they had probably been even more intimate than this over the past three years. William found himself feeling like the least suitable person to be angry.
"Edward will definitely delete them. Even if Edward doesn't like Debra, he still has to consider the Wellington family's reputation.
"To put it nicely, Edward prioritizes the bigger picture. To put it bluntly, Edward is ruthless and doesn't care about his relatives."
Evelyn let out a soft sigh and unlocked her phone with the password.
Evelyn hadn't expected that Edward remembered her phone password. Perhaps it was just a single occasion during those three years when Edward happened to witness Evelyn unlocking it, and he had remembered it ever since.
The Edward who had never truly loved Evelyn would never understand what '0923' meant.
Thirteen years ago, Edward saved Evelyn on the mountain. The password was the day they first met.
Perhaps all those thrilling moments in Evelyn's eyes had never held any significance to Edward.
"Evelyn, what do we do next? Edward has destroyed the things we had to balance Debra, and Debra is even less likely to cooperate now," William said, furrowing his brow and sighing in frustration.
Suddenly, Evelyn made a sound of acknowledgment, her round eyes wide open.
Surprisingly, Edward's number was added to her contact list. 'Damn! How cunning! How did Edward manage to slip through successfully?' Evelyn thought.
In the evening, Edward returned to Riverside Villa from the company. Rain continued to patter against the windows, and Edward stared at the glistening droplets, as if seeing Evelyn's beautiful eyes. But each pair of eyes held infinite resentment, adding to Edward's already gloomy mood.
Edward raised his pale neck. The neon lights outlined his sharp jawline, adding a touch of color to his handsome face. He adjusted his meticulously tied Windsor knot, the silky fabric reminding him of Evelyn's slender waist.
Edward gulped unconsciously, trying to push away the image of Evelyn's beautiful eyes from his mind, but to no avail.
Evelyn was becoming bolder. She never dared to hold Edward's hand during their three-year marriage, but now, after the divorce, she was openly provoking him in public. What did she take Edward for?
"Mr. Wellington." Bart timidly called out to Edward from the passenger seat, hesitating.
"Speak." Edward, his mind preoccupied with Evelyn, spoke in an extremely unfriendly tone.
"The incident at KS World Hotel involving Debra has caused quite a stir. People online are criticizing wealthy heirs for their lack of empathy and trampling on others' dignity. What should we do?" Bart expressed his concerns.
"I don't care," Edward replied.
"But if Mrs. Tiffany complains to Mr. Patrick, I'm afraid Mr. Patrick might make things difficult for you." Bart was extremely worried.
Edward's expression darkened, and he smirked, "What are you afraid of? I am not afraid."
Bart's phone rang.
"Mr. Wellington, the surveillance footage you requested is ready." Edward glanced at it and took the phone. The video showed the complete confrontation between Evelyn and Debra, capturing Debra's disrespectful behavior toward Edward and her subsequent defeat by Evelyn.
There was a deep frown on Edward's face, and the earlier emotions were just a minor skirmish; now, he was truly angry.
After changing his clothes, Edward was called to the study by Patrick.
"Dad! You have to help me! I'm so wronged! This is just so miserable!" Debra cried, throwing herself onto Patrick, her face not only wet with tears but also bearing the handprint left by Arya Winter and Melinda Evans from the fight in the afternoon, with a cut on her lip, looking extremely pitiful.
Patrick sat on the sofa, observing Debra, who always appeared refined in public, in such a sorry state. He reached out to comfort her.
"Edward is back. I'll ask him what really happened when he arrives," Patrick said.
"Things are getting tense. I've received several calls today inquiring about Debra. I don't know how to respond to them." Tiffany, deeply concerned about Debra, had tears in her eyes.
"People online are criticizing Debra harshly. How can she show her face in public next time? What will the other wealthy families think of us?" Tiffany was on the verge of fainting.
"Tiffany, don't worry. I won't let Debra be wronged." Patrick furrowed, slightly irritated.
It had been twenty years, but every time Edward saw Tiffany and Patrick's affectionate scenes, he felt a deep sense of discomfort. Patrick had never mentioned Edward's mother in these twenty years, nor had he visited her grave. The woman who loved Patrick deeply seemed to have never existed in his life, a level of hatred and resentment that was even more cruel than pure hatred.
"I'm fine, Patrick." Tiffany leaned against him, coughing lightly. "I lost control of my emotions earlier. I was too agitated. Edward, as the CEO of the Wellington family, has a lot on his plate. I shouldn't trouble him over this matter. But I'm afraid, does Edward still hold a grudge against me? After all, I'm not Edward's biological mother. If that's why he's reluctant to help, Patrick, don't blame Edward. I understand him."
Edward looked coldly at Tiffany's pretense, having seen it for twenty years, feeling annoyed. He couldn't understand why Patrick never grew tired of it.
"Tiffany, don't overthink it. Regardless of whether Edward acknowledges it, you are my Mrs. Wellington, and therefore, you're Edward's mother!" Patrick's words incited more anger, pointing accusingly at Edward's indifferent face. "You need to come up with a solution immediately! By tomorrow morning, the negative publicity surrounding Debra and those videos must be suppressed! Otherwise, I will make things difficult for you!"
"I've already thought of a solution, and I've informed Debra." Edward's tone was cold as he lowered his eyes.
"Dad! What kind of solution has he come up for me? He's pushing me into a dangerous situation!" Debra's distress was evident as she heard her name mentioned, getting angry. "He actually wants me to apologize to that waitress! Who does she think she is? Why should I apologize to her? And today, Lily came to the boutique and slapped me in front of everyone! I can't face anyone now!"
Tiffany and Patrick were shocked. "What? Lily Brown slapped you?"
"Look at the handprint on my face. Do you think I’m faking it?" Debra pointed to her swollen face, tears streaming down.
"This is outrageous! Edward, what kind of vicious woman did you marry?!" Tiffany, seeing Debra being mistreated, couldn't contain her anger, her gentle expression turning slightly fierce. "Lily dared to hit Debra. I must sue her! I won't just let it slide!"
"Debra was the one who tried to attack Lily Brown first, so Lily acted in self-defense," Edward stated firmly.
"So, you mean Lily really hit Debra?" Patrick's gaze darkened as he questioned.
Edward nodded.
"Call Lily now! Make her apologize to Debra! And, have you not finalized the divorce proceedings with Lily yet? Tomorrow, you must go to court and complete the divorce! From now on, I forbid you from having any contact with Lily!" Patrick ordered sternly.
Edward frowned. Although the divorce had been decided, he felt uneasy for no apparent reason upon hearing this.
Almost instinctively, he replied, "No."
