Chapter 99

She spoke her mind openly, catching Helena off guard.

Helena remembered the old Poppy as proud and self–assured–someone who would never have admitted to weakness like this.

Helena quickly recovered, letting out a cold, dismissive laugh. “Don’t think that saying all this will make me go easy on you. Soren is a married man. You have no right to interfere in their marriage p>

Poppy paused before replying, “I figured you’d see it that way. But Evangeline leaving the house had nothing to do with me. She was already gone before I moved

in p>

“If you don’t believe me, you can ask Macy p>

Macy realized then that she’d miscalculated–she hadn’t gotten the full story, nor had she grasped the real dynamics between Poppy and Helena.

Now her own well–being was tied to Poppy’s. If Helena thought she’d helped Poppy bully Evangeline, Macy knew she’d be in serious trouble.

So, as soon as Poppy spoke, Macy rushed forward, her eyes welling up as she pleaded, “It’s true, ma’am. Back then, Evangeline and the young master had a falling out. She was crying and insisted on leaving p>

“Both the young master and Miss Yates tried to talk her out of it. I did, too, but she was set on going. There was nothing we could do p>

“After she left, the young master was furious and worried sick. He barely ate for days–he only had a few bites once Miss Yates returned. He even lost weight during that time p>

“Oh, and when the young master went back to the Fawkes estate, I’m sure you noticed how he looked then p>

Helena listened to Macy’s emotional explanation, her gaze darkening.

She’d been preoccupied with Flora’s affairs lately and hadn’t paid much attention to Evangeline’s situation. In just a few days of neglect, the entire household had been turned upside down.

She didn’t fully trust Macy’s account, but the story gave her something to think about.

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11:40

Chapter 99

Five years Macy had cared for Evangeline, and now, the moment Poppy returned, Macy was already speaking in support of her instead–casting Evangeline in a negative light.

The thought reminded Helena of her recent phone call with Evangeline.

Evangeline had abandoned the house and her husband, running off to chase some pointless job. How could someone so weak and small–minded ever be trusted with the Fawkes family’s future?

What bothered Helena even more was the creeping sense that Evangeline was slipping beyond her control–becoming increasingly difficult to rein in.

But if it were Poppy instead…

Helena looked at Poppy, who still stood there, patiently, holding out the teacup.

She hadn’t taken the cup earlier, and Poppy simply waited, arm extended.

After several long minutes, Helena finally accepted the tea, pretending not to notice how Poppy flexed her wrist. She blew on the steam and said, “If you want to stay with the Fawkes family, it’s not impossible. As long as you can accomplish the task I set for you, we can discuss this further p>

Poppy’s eyes lit up for a split second when she heard Helena finally relent, but she quickly schooled her expression.

“I’m listening p>

When Evangeline woke again, her head was still heavy and pounding.

She pressed her aching temples, trying to steady herself.

As her senses returned, she glanced around, relieved to find herself in her familiar

apartment.

But she remembered–last night, after being drugged, Mr. Wellington had brought

her to a hotel.

How had she gotten home?

Slowly, the memories trickled back. She seemed to recall encountering Soren.

Did Soren bring her back?

Fragments of memory–half–dream, half–reality–floated through her mind, muddled

and unclear.

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11:41

She remembered being with Soren in the bathroom…

At that thought, she instinctively glanced down. Her clothes from last night were gone; she was now wearing pajamas.

She and Soren were married, after all. They’d been intimate before–more than once. So if it happened again, it wasn’t exactly surprising.

But she had a vague memory of being sick last night–throwing up–and Soren not only changing her clothes, but also helping her drink water when she was parched.

The place looked tidier, too.

It all felt… strange.

The Soren she knew had never been so patient.

Even as the thought crossed her mind, a gentle knock sounded at the bedroom door.

11-41