Chapter 243
Finn used to call her playful names like “beautiful” or “gorgeous,” always with a teasing smile, or else he’d address her formally as “Miss Whitmore” or “Ms. Whitmore.” It was rare for him to say her name so seriously.
Evangeline paused, caught off guard by the solemnity in his voice.
Finn wrapped her hand gently in his, his tone earnest. “I lied about the eyedrops just now. But everything I said at your family’s estate was the truth p>
He meant it—he liked her. He thought she was pure-hearted. That, too, was real.
Evangeline gazed at his serious expression, and as she realized what he was saying, her cheeks grew inexplicably warm.
“But… why?” The question slipped out before she could stop herself.
As soon as she said it, she realized it was too broad, too vague a question with
a thousand possible answers.
Why had he lied to her?
Why had he been so kind just now?
Why suggest being together in the first place?
But she couldn’t quite pin down what she truly wanted to ask, nor did she want to examine her own motives too closely.
Their relationship had started with mutual benefit in mind; feelings were supposed to be the least of their concerns. Yet Soren’s relentless pressure today had made her suddenly want to care-just a little.
Surprised by the clarity of her own thoughts, Evangeline gradually calmed down.
But Finn seemed to understand exactly what was running through her mind. “I know you have a lot of questions about me,” he said, “and I have plenty about you, too p>
“So, how about this-we play a game tonight p>
After leaving the Whitmore estate, Soren climbed into the back seat of his car. “Mr. Fawkes, the arrangements have been made. Mr. Wellington’s company is built on shaky ground-the profits look good on paper, but they won’t last the week,” Gregory reported from the driver’s seat, his tone respectful.
“I heard The Lockridges are making moves as well,” he continued. “Seems like they’re helping us this time. If nothing unexpected happens, Wellington’s company will go under in about three days-drowning in debt p>
Gregory couldn’t hide his confusion. The Lockridge family had never lifted a finger for the Fawkeses before. Usually, whenever the Fawkes family made a move, the Lockridges would jump at the chance to make things harder for them.
So why get involved in something as trivial as taking down Wellington’s company this time? It just didn’t add up.
Soren, however, wasn’t surprised to hear The Lockridges mentioned.
He just hadn’t expected Finn to actually use Lockridge family resources for Evangeline’s sake.
He let out a cold, mirthless laugh.
He could still see, clear as day, Finn and Evangeline’s hands clasped together, and he replayed Evangeline’s recent declaration “I like him”-in his mind.
A fresh wave of anger surged in his chest, but he quickly forced himself to calm down.
The Lockridge family was a tangled mess, rife with infighting. There was no way Finn and Evangeline could ever really end up together.
Soren had never doubted that for a second.
But watching Evangeline, so naïve and trusting, being led around in circles by Finn-it was more than he could stand.
“Find out everything you can about Finn,” he ordered after a moment, his voice cold. “I want a full report on my desk within three days p>
Gregory nodded. “Understood p>
“Mr. Fawkes, should we head back to the office p>
Things had been tense lately between Soren and Miss Yates, ever since the incident with Evangeline’s miscarriage. Soren had been spending his nights at the office, only returning to the house when absolutely necessary.
Soren rubbed his temples. “No. Take me home p>
Some things just couldn’t be avoided forever.
He’d given Evangeline seven days to decide, and he’d use those same seven days to take care of what he needed to do.
When Soren arrived at the house, he hadn’t even made it to the front door before he heard Macy’s hesitant, almost pleading voice inside. “Miss Yates, Evangeline usually handles all this. I have no idea what to do p>