secret lover 161 Summary
Evelyn watches quietly as her husband and Oscar interact with tension, then leads Alicia and Ste to inspect the birthday decorations in a beautifully set party hall overlooking a serene mountain andke view. The women share lighthearted moments, with Ste’s enthusiasm and focus on food bringingughter to the group. Their rxed conversation shifts when Ste reveals a dramatic family incident involving their father, William Walters, who shamelessly begged their grandfather for help and tried to marry a woman, leading to a humiliating confrontation where their grandfather physically reprimanded him.
The sisters react with amusement and satisfaction at William’seuppance, sharingughter over the vivid retelling of the event. The mood turns more serious when Evelyn asks Alicia about her decision to proceed with the divorce. Alicia confirms she has hired awyer and intends to fight for what she deserves, reassuring her daughters that she will be fine and that any settlement will benefit them. Evelyn declines to im anything herself, emphasizing that this is Alicia’s battle to win.
The conversation lightens again as they joke about Alicia’s new affection for her grandson Oliver, agreeing that he will be spoiled and cherished. Theirughter fills the room, creating a rare moment of peace and familial warmth amid ongoing tensions. However, this calm is interrupted when Axel, in the living room, receives a message that Joseph Carter has arrived, causing his demeanor to change and signaling that newplications may be approaching.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
161 He Deserved That!
For a while, Evelyn quietly observed as the three of them engaged in conversation, her gaze lingering on her husband and Oscar as they interacted like uneasy allies forced into an alliance. There was a tension between them, a reluctant cooperation that made Evelyn’s lips curl into a faint, knowing smile.
After a few moments, she turned to Alicia and Ste. “Come on, let’s go check the birthday decorations in the back. I want to make sure everything is absolutely perfect before the other guests start arriving.”
Alicia rose gracefully, her posture elegant andposed, while Ste followed eagerly, her usual bright enthusiasm evident in every step. The three women moved together down the hallway, leaving behind the cheerful sounds andughter echoing from the living room.
The party hall that awaited them was nothing short of stunning. A long dining table stretched across the room, bathed in soft, natural light filtering throughrge windows. The table was dressed in crisp linen and adorned with fresh, fragrant flowers that added a touch of delicate beauty. Gleaming golden cutlery was carefully arranged beside fine porcin tes, each element meticulously ced. Beyond the ss windows, a breathtaking panorama of mountains and a shimmeringke stretched out, making the scene look like a masterpiece brought to life.
“It’s absolutely beautiful,” Alicia breathed softly, her eyes reflecting a gentle warmth as she took in the view.
Evelyn smiled proudly. “Thank you. I wanted something calm and peaceful. Oliver loves this view; he says it looks like a painting.”
Ste nodded in agreement as she drifted toward the window. “It really does. Honestly, I’m half tempted to just stay here forever.”
Evelyn chuckled lightly. “You wouldn’tst two days without your city life, Ste.”
“True,” Ste admitted with a cheerful grin. “But I could visit all the time—especially if the chef keeps making those truffle sandwiches.”
Aliciaughed softly, shaking her head at her younger daughter’s predictable focus on food. “You’re really only thinking about the food, aren’t you?”
“Hahaha, you know me too well, Mom,” Ste teased, wrapping an arm around Alicia’s waist affectionately.
They settled into the cozy seating area tucked away in a quiet corner, away from the busy staff still bustling about, makingst-minute adjustments to the decorations and arrangements. For a moment, the conversation was light and easy, filled with softughter andfortable silences.
But soon, Ste leaned in closer to Evelyn, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Sis, you won’t believe what happened to Dad.”
Evelyn’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “What now? Did he try to hurt you both again?”
Alicia sighed quietly, bracing herself for the story. “Ste, please don’t make it sound like a scandal.”
Ste grinned mischievously. “It’s not a scandal… yet. But it’s close.”
Evelyn exchanged a nce with Alicia, amusement and curiosity flickering in her eyes. “Should I be worried?”
Ste sped her hands dramatically. “He actually went to meet Grandpa and begged to help him. Can you believe it? He wanted to marry that woman… the nerve!”
Evelyn was momentarily speechless, stunned by William Walters’s shamelessness. Without realizing it, she muttered, “That old man must be insane.”
Alicia pressed her palm to her forehead, exhaling deeply. “He’s lost his mind. I swear that woman brainwashed him. Or maybe she ate half his brain.”
Ste shrugged casually. “Maybe Lana’s got some ck magic tricks up her sleeve to manipte him. Who knows?”
Alicia and Evelyn exchanged wide-eyed looks at Ste’s suggestion.
Shrugging again, Ste added, “Ugh, well, my foolish father knows he could lose everything, but he still refuses to leave that woman.”
Evelyn’s curiosity deepened. “So, how did Grandpa react to all this?”
“That’s the best part, Sis,” Ste said, her grin stretching from ear to ear. “Grandpa called all his children together and pped Dad—right in front of Aunt and Uncle. Not just a p, he actually beat him.”
Evelyn’s eyes widened briefly before a slow, satisfied smile spread across her face. “He deserved that.”
“Absolutely,” Alicia agreed, chuckling softly. “He’s old enough to know better. Getting pped by your father at his age? That’s downright humiliating.”
Evelynughed, shaking her head at the thought. “I wish I could have seen his face. He must have looked like he’d swallowed a lemon.”
Ste chuckled. “Maybe it was more like durian. Grandpa didn’t even let him say a word. The moment Dad tried to exin, Grandpa snapped, ‘Shut up before I break your leg!’”
Aliciaughed until tears formed at the corners of her eyes.
Even Evelyn couldn’t hold back her giggles, picturing her father so arrogant and cold, yet reduced to such humiliation. It must have been deeply embarrassing for him.
As theughter died down, Evelyn nced at Alicia, concern softening her voice. “So… you’re really going through with the divorce?”
Alicia’s smile remained, but there was a bittersweet edge to it. She nodded firmly. “Yes, definitely. I’ve already hired a goodwyer. This time, William won’t walk away with anything.”
She paused, her eyes moving between her daughters. “Don’t worry, girls. I’ll be fine. Whatever I get from this messy divorce will be for both of you.”
Ste’s mouth fell open in surprise. She blinked rapidly before blurting out, “Wait, are you serious?”
Evelyn raised a hand, shaking her head gently. “No, Alicia. I don’t want anything. This is your fight, not mine. You earned it.”
She meant every word. The money, the estate, the family name—she had walked away from all of it once before, and she had no regrets, especially after what William had done to her.
Alicia tilted her head with a knowing smile. “If you don’t want it, I’ll give it to my grandson then.”
Evelyn sighed dramatically, shaking her head in mock disbelief. “Oh my god, Alice, you’ve only met him for a few minutes, and he’s already stolen your heart?”
Aliciaughed, her cheeks glowing with happiness. “What can I say? He’s my new entertainment. Finally, someone in this family who doesn’t give me a headache.”
Ste nodded eagerly, grinning at Evelyn. “She’s right, sis. Let Mom spoil her grandson however she wants.”
Evelyn tried to sound stern but couldn’t suppress a chuckle. “Fine. Just don’t teach him to manipte you with that adorable face. He’s already too good at it.”
Alicia waved her hand dismissively. “Please. That boy’s charm is natural. Besides, he’s not maniptive—he’s smart. Just like his mother.”
Leaning closer to Evelyn, Ste whispered yfully, “What Mom’s trying to say is… little Oliver is going to be spoiled rotten.”
All three burst intoughter again, the sound light and free, almost unfamiliar after the tension that had hung over them for so long.
They continued chatting, mostly about William’s meltdown and the chaos that followed the p. Ste animatedly reenacted the scene, mimicking Grandpa’s thunderous expression and Dad’s trembling hands. Even Alicia couldn’t help but giggle as she recalled how she calmly sipped her tea throughout the entire confrontation, as if watching a soap opera unfold.
Theirughter echoed warmly in the room, filling it with a rare sense of peace. For a moment, the troubles of the past seemed distant, reced by thefort of shared stories and family bonds.
But outside that bubble of calm, the peace was fleeting.
In the living room, Axel’s rxed demeanor shifted the instant his phone vibrated. He reached for it, his eyes scanning the screen with little thought until a message caught his attention.
His brow furrowed deeply.
“Joseph Carter just arrived.” The message was from Liam.
Axel’s thumb hovered over the screen for a long moment, his jaw tightening as the easy calm he’d worn earlier slipped awaypletely.Conclusion
The chapter gently unfolds theplexyers of family dynamics, revealing moments of vulnerability, humor, and resilience among the women as they navigate the turbulent aftermath of William’s actions. Evelyn, Alicia, and Ste find sce in their sharedughter and mutual support, a poignant reminder that even amidst chaos, the bonds of family can offer a sanctuary of understanding and strength. Their interactions underscore themes of loyalty, forgiveness, and the quiet determination to protect one another, highlighting the emotional depth that ties them together.
Yet, beneath this fragile calm, the story hints at the lingering shadows that continue to loom, embodied in the subtle shifts of Axel’s demeanor and the arrival of Joseph Carter. This juxtaposition of warmth and tension captures the delicate bnce between hope and uncertainty, leaving readers with a sense of anticipation while cherishing the fleeting moments of peace the characters have carved out for themselves. The chapter closes on this note of guarded tranquility, a testament to the enduring spirit of the family amid the storms they face.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the simmering tensions that have been quietly building beneath the surface. With Joseph Carter’s unexpected arrival, Axel’sposed facade begins to crack, hinting at unresolved conflicts that could soon erupt. The delicate bnce of alliances and rivalries among the characters is set to be tested, and the emotional stakes are bound to rise as hidden motivese to light.
Meanwhile, the women’s moment ofughter and camaraderie may soon face challenges as the fallout from William’s humiliation and Alicia’s firm decision to proceed with the divorce ripple through the family. The evolving dynamics between Evelyn, Alicia, and Ste will continue to revealyers of loyalty, strength, and vulnerability. As old wounds reopen and new threats emerge, the next chapter will keep readers on edge, eager to see how these intertwined rtionships withstand theing storm.
Sara Lili
<strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.