Chapter 196 - 24 (1/2)

Three days passed after Evangeline last saw Eric, and she found herself flying straight to BlackPine after her release from the hospital. The news of Marcos Cole's incident and that he was calling for his grandchildren couldn't be ignored anymore.

”I don't understand why you wouldn't punish those girls?” Asher grumbled beside her.

Evangeline rubbed her temple. She didn't know how many times she was asked that question by the same man over and over again.

”As I said before, I already ruined their life. No point in ruining it more. It's already enough that they paid their crimes in jail.”

Asher snorted, ”You've become merciful, Eva. Know that for just even laying their dirty gaze on you, it's already enough reason to gauge their eyes out.”

Evangeline rolled her eyes.

”Girls like those. If you don't instill fear, they'll just do it again.” Asher's eyes turned to slit, and his hands were clenched so tight above his legs. ”And if they even think of doing it again, I swear, not even you could stop me from taking actions into my own hands.”

Evangeline just shook her head. She was not merciful. It's just . . . if she could put her feelings into simple words then . . . guilt? Remorse? Even if they meant only to scare her by locking her in the storage, putting their family in bankruptcy was too much. She changed their future. Ruined it. She couldn't blame them if they wanted revenge.

”The doctor said that grandfather's legs were affected by his second heart attack, and therapy wouldn't do good with his age, so he'll be in a wheelchair for the remainder of his life.”

”Is that so,” Evangeline said, bored, phone in hand. Eric might call or text.

Asher looked at Evangeline at the side. ”You seemed unconcerned.”

”I grew up not knowing him,” she answered and faced Asher with a slight smile on her face. ”So why should I be concerned?”

”. . .” Asher just sighed and looked ahead. He knew that Evangeline still blamed the Cole for not rescuing her mother. Not that he could blame her.

”Whelp. We're here,” he said instead.

----

”Eva, how are you. We're glad you came,” Alex Cole greeted the moment Evangeline and Asher entered the Cole's mansion.

”I'm fine, Mr. Cole,” Evangeline replied without an inch of a smile.

Alex beamed. ”Call me uncle.”

”We're not that closed for me to call you uncle.” Then Evangeline made her way inside, feeling at home.

Alex's smile dropped while Asher snickered at the side.

”It's alright, old man,” Asher said as he tapped his father's shoulder. ”If it makes you feel better, Eva is like that to all except for me, of course. Since she and I are very close.”

Alex just brushed his son's hand and followed Evangeline around.

”By the way, Eva. Alvaro said that he wanted to talk to you first,” Alex said. He wanted to create a conversation to get close but the aloof nephew of his made it impossible.

”Is that so? Lead the way then,” Evangeline said and roamed her gaze. ”Where's Alexis?”

”With your grandfather. Your grandfather is very ill, and Alexis is taking care of him at the moment.”