Chapter 99
Susan wasn't blind to Evelyn's shifting attitude toward her.
After that trip to Seaside City, she must have learned the truth about her real origins.
Evelyn harbored resentment—Susan knew that much.
But she was a kind child, unable to fully commit to that hate.
In the end, she was the one caught in the middle, torn between conflicting emotions. How heartbreaking that must be.
"Mrs. Gray." Evelyn's voice was barely above a whisper. "When I learned what happened to my birth mother, I felt so much anger. So much grief."
"She died so young. I lost her so early."
"I wanted to hate you."
Susan's hands trembled slightly.
"But you're also the reason I escaped Matthew. The reason I safely delivered these two babies." Evelyn met her gaze. "I owe you for that—for me and the children."
"I truly... don't know what to do."
"Eve, I'm the one who wronged you and Emily." Tears spilled down Susan's cheeks. "I'll make it up to you a thousand times over, but Emily... I can never compensate her... Don't feel lost. However you choose to treat me, it's acceptable."
"Even if I hate you?" Evelyn lowered her head, her voice soft.
"Hating me would be natural." Susan clasped her hand. "I should have atoned for what I did years ago."
Evelyn studied her for a long moment.
Susan tucked the blanket more snugly around her. "You just gave birth. Don't dwell on this now. Rest properly, or if you develop complications, I'll blame myself for the rest of my life."
Evelyn nodded and closed her eyes.
After clearing the air with Susan, the tension she'd been carrying suddenly released. She felt exhausted—bone-deep tired.
Outside, sunlight streamed through the window. The sea breeze drifted in gently.
She fell into a deep sleep.
Three years later.
Two major stories rocked the financial world.
First: Wall Street had discovered a new "Financial Goddess".
Her investment instincts were razor-sharp, her trading skills unparalleled. Even Jason—hailed as the Father of Wall Street—couldn't help but marvel.
Recent reports revealed that this Financial Goddess was a woman.
More than that, she was the Gray family heir personally mentored by Susan herself.
The second bombshell: the Perkins Group was being acquired by its own subsidiary, Limbo Inc.
Another explosive development.
Though Matthew had become increasingly ruthless after his serious illness three years ago, using his wholly-owned subsidiary to acquire the entire conglomerate was unprecedented in the industry.
People said this was Matthew's naked declaration of war against the Perkins family.
At the center of this storm, Matthew stood at a business reception.
Crystal chandeliers blazed overhead. Designer gowns swished past. Champagne flutes clinked endlessly.
Matthew stood at the edge of the crowd, drink in hand, expression detached.
"Mr. Perkins is so accomplished for his age!" A red-faced business partner sidled up to him, clearly several drinks in.
His eyes darted behind Matthew. "Are you and Miss Elikin about to announce your engagement?"
Matthew's expression darkened. He opened his mouth to correct him.
"Thank you for your concern." Sloane smoothly stepped between them, clinking glasses with the man. "However, that's Matthew's private matter. I'd appreciate if you didn't discuss it at a business function."
Seeing Matthew's expression, the partner nodded gratefully at Sloane and hurried away.
Matthew suddenly lost all interest in the event.
He set down his glass and turned to leave.
Sloane followed him to the car.
The interior was silent.
Matthew leaned back against the seat, eyes closed, face expressionless.
Sloane studied his cold profile, anxiety stirring in her chest. "Matthew, are you angry with me?"
Three years ago, after Evelyn's death, she'd become Matthew's capable assistant.
To outsiders, she was his secretary.
But only she knew—Matthew never assigned her secretarial duties, much less allowed her any closer.
She'd suggested becoming his actual secretary multiple times. He'd refused.
Still, she'd leveraged his sympathy and guilt to secure a position at the Perkins Group.
She'd proven her worth by playing an indispensable role in bringing down Emma.
Currently, Matthew had her overseeing commercial operations, giving her many opportunities to travel with him.
The media assumed she was his secretary. She never corrected them. Matthew couldn't be bothered to clarify. So the story spread.
Outlets speculated about their "special relationship".
But Sloane knew—she could never truly get close to Matthew.
Because in his heart, there remained a space reserved for that dead woman.
Damn it! Even though she'd humbled herself to imitate Evelyn, styled herself more and more like her. Even though she sometimes made Matthew do a double-take, he still wouldn't let her in.
Sloane didn't understand.
Why was Matthew's love for Evelyn so obsessive?
Even when she'd left him years ago to go abroad, he hadn't been like this!
At Sloane's question, Matthew finally looked at her. "Am I angry? Well..."
Sloane's heart clenched.
"You might want to think about why." His voice was flat.
"Is it those rumors?" Sloane sounded aggrieved. "I never said anything."
"You know exactly how they started." Matthew held her gaze. "Don't forget what happened to Elysia."
Sloane's expression froze. Her wounded act faltered.
Elysia—her best friend, one of the few people she could be honest with.
Just because Elysia had told a reporter "Evelyn was nothing but Sloane's substitute," Matthew had unleashed his wrath.
The Powell family's company, a perfectly healthy publicly-traded enterprise, had formally declared bankruptcy a year ago.
Elysia herself had been convicted of financial crimes. She was still in prison.
Sloane had begged for leniency. She'd even gotten on her knees before Matthew.
He'd simply looked at her coldly, said "Elysia deserved it," and walked away.
Sloane understood—this was Matthew's warning: do your job and don't reach for more.
But how could she accept that?
"Sloane," Matthew spoke suddenly. "Your condition has largely recovered now. I've fulfilled my promise to you."
Sloane's nails dug into her palms.
"I promised Eve that once you were well, I'd cut ties with you completely." His voice remained calm. "She's gone, but I won't break my word."
"Soon, I'll issue a clarification statement."
"I hope you'll move forward too."
"With your background and talents, you'll have no trouble finding a suitable partner."
The car stopped in front of the apartment building.
Matthew got out alone, raising his hand to stop Sloane from following.
"Have the driver take you home. And stop accompanying me everywhere from now on."
Sloane bit her lip hard, watching Matthew head upstairs.
In three years, she'd only been inside that apartment once.
That one time, Matthew had been absolutely furious.
She sat in the car, watching the lights come on upstairs.
Her face reflected in the window glass, blurred and indistinct.
Three years.
She'd spent three years trying, and still couldn't enter that lit apartment.