Unmasking the Heiress

Chapter 9

The New Year holiday brought a stream of visitors to the Gordons'. The estate was ablaze with lights and festive cheer. In the living room, a circle of society ladies chatted, with her mother-in-law Aría playing the gracious hostess.

Evangeline's gaze landed on the familiar mother-daughter duo sitting beside Walter's mother Aria-Julia and her mother.

Lydia Carlson, Julia's mother, was all dolled up in a pink dress that still showed off her timeless grace, with bold and striking makeup. Julia was decked out in a fancy yellow gown so grand that everyone would think she was the bride at a wedding.

Julia fluttered around Aria like a butterfly, laying on the charm thick. "Mdm Gordon, it's been three whole years, and look at you-more gorgeous and youthful than ever. If we hit the town together, people will swear we're sisters."

Aria's smile was wide enough to light up the room, her eyes twinkling with fondness for Julia. "Oh, Julia, you've had it rough while you were away. It warms my heart that you're back and thinking of me. Now I've got my chat buddy again." "Mdm. Gordon, please... Walter and I... It just wasn't meant to be."

"Poppycock! Not meant to be? You two are sweet to each other. If it hadn't been for someone sticking their nose in, you'd be over the moon with happiness!" Aria exclaimed. "I heard Walter threw you a welcome home bash last night. After Evangeline and Walter split up..." Evangeline overheard the whole exchange, but she did not let it show.

She strode through the living room, not bothering with pleasantries, making a beeline for Trey's place.

Aria spotted her, and her mood flipped. "Evangeline, hold it right there! Where on earth were you all night? You come back and don't even greet anyone? Your mother and sister are here, and you just ignore them?"

That stopped Evangeline in her tracks. She turned, hands casually in her pockets, and said with a hint of defiance, "My mother has been gone for ages. What mother are you talking about?"

""You!"

Lydia stepped in with a soothing tone, "Easy, Aria. The kid has always had the wrong idea about me. I'm not holding on to any grudge."

"Misunderstanding? What could I be confused about? You think you're not the homewrecker? Trying to clear your name or throw dirt on me and my mother?"

"No, Evie, you've got it all wrong! I didn't mean that..." Lydia tried to

look the part of the devoted wife and mother. "We didn't mean to upset you today. Your dad said it's been ages since you've been home, and we couldn't reach you by phone. Your sister just got back, so I thought I'd bring her along." Evangeline almost laughed, but she could not be bothered with them.

She stood on the steps, her gaze distant and aloof, towering over Lydia. "Home? Remember how you were the ones who threw me out? Told me I'd never be welcome again? Forgot your own words, have you?

Chapter

It was not long after her mother died that Lydia and Julia waltzed right into her life, taking over her mom's house and bedroom. They tried to pin the blame on her for Julia's pool accident, just to get rid of her. On a stormy night, they tossed her but like yesterday's trash.

Back then, it was her grandpa's contact info her mother had given her that saved her. The elderly man took her in, and since she moved to Avalon City with the Gordons, she had not stepped foot in that house again. Truth was, Evangeline was done being Andrew Rearden's daughter. Even when Andrew tried to cozy up to her, seeing her as the Gordons' young lady, she never gave him or Lydia the time of day.

A cheater and his mistress? They would never get her forgiveness. Especially not after their lovey-dovey act drove her mother to her grave.

Evangeline had carried the weight of her mother's bitter secret alone for years.

Her mother's last wish was clear: "Keep the truth hidden from your grandpa and uncles." She did not want them to know the depths of her unhappiness.

Yessica, the once-revered daughter of the enigmatic Foster family from the South, had given up

everything for love. She had fallen for Andrew, a boy with empty pockets, and chose him over her family's approval.

To protect her mother's legacy, Evangeline had kept silent about Andrew and Lydia's shameful deeds, avoiding any mention that might lead to a scandalous revenge.

Alas, fate had a cruel sense of humor. Their daughter, Julia, just had to stir up trouble.

As if history was repeating itself, she found herself walking in her mother's footsteps. Enough was enough.

"Oh, don't think I've forgotten-the house belonged to my mother. It's time for you to leave!"

Lydia, Julia, and Aria's faces turned pale at her words.

Aria slammed her palm onto the table. "Evangeline! Are you even speaking like a civilized person? I swear you can't teach class to someone who has none! It was common knowledge-you were the one who couldn't stand your sister, nearly drowning her in the pool! And your mother's affair, carrying another man's child, that's Lydia's fault too?

"I regret ever opening my door to you! If Walter had chosen Julia from the start, I wouldn't be dealing with this disgrace every single day!"

She stood tall, her face contorted with rage. "You're planning to leave Walter, aren't you? Then leave now! I can't stand the sight of you! Mrs. Smith, pack her things. It's time for her to go!"

Lily Smith, the housemaid, stood frozen, unsure of her next move.

In that household, Trey's word was the final say, and the young mistress Evangeline was the darling of the patriarch.

"Madam, Mr. Trey Gordon himself sent for Mrs. Walter Gordon to return. He's eagerly awaiting the coffee

only shoe how to make," she said.

Julia bit back her envy and finally rose to comfort Aria, "Mdm. Gordon, please don't hold a grudge against Evangeline! I'm sure it wasn't intentional... Don't let my issues come between you and her. Besides, she made it clear that even if she and Walt split up, I shouldn't even dream of becoming a Gordon, so I've let that go."

Her words only stoked the flames.

"What is she? A nobody about to be kicked to the curb! Can she really stop Walter from marrying you?!" With a forced smile, Julia said, "Please, don't be mad at her. Let me just talk to her, just us."

She approached Evangeline, gazing up at her, and murmured, "Evangeline, if I were you, I'd be too ashamed to ever walk through the Gordons' door again. Your husband doesn't love you, your mother-in- law despises you, and you'll always be a country girl out of her element. Clinging to the Gordons-what's the point?"

Evangeline's gaze turned icy. "Are you asking for trouble?"

"Go on, hit me. I bet you don't have the nerve!" Julia taunted.

In the next instant, a sharp slap echoed as it met Julia's cheek. "Ahh!"

"Need another slap, or was one enough?"

With that taunt, Julia's other cheek puffed up from a second strike.

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She swayed, tears brimming, hands cupping her reddened cheeks, looking ready to burst into right down the stairs.

"Remember, I didn't push you," said Evangeline. "If you fall, it's on you."

Julia's face went pale, then her eyes flicked to the doorway where a tall, striking man stood. She bit her lip, her voice trembling, "But I just wanted you to come see Dad, you know? Why'd you strike me?" She wobbled, as if about to lose her balance, but then froze, spotting the newcomer. "Walt? Your back?"