<h4>Chapter 436: Endless Phone Call</h4>


    At The Valley.


    Since exchanging messages with Axel, Evelyn’s phone had be a relentless source of disturbance.


    It rang so often that the silence she once enjoyed now felt like a distant memory.


    The device vibrated, chimed, and shed without mercy, as if determined to remind her that peace was no longer a luxury she could afford.


    It made sense to silence it.


    Completely.


    Evelyn stared at the glowing screen for a long second before pressing the silent option with quiet determination.


    The room instantly fell into aforting stillness, the sudden absence of noise almost suspicious in its perfection. Her shoulders eased, and a small sigh of relief escaped her lips.


    However, silencing her phone did not silence the world around her.


    No one could stop her family from worrying.


    No one could stop Axel’s family from intruding.


    Persistence, it seemed, ran strongly in both bloodlines.


    Still, for the moment, Evelyn allowed herself the illusion of freedom. She settledfortably onto the sofa in her watching area, pulling the nket slightly higher as she reached for the remote.


    The television flickered to life, bathing the room in soft light. The familiar opening of her favorite drama series appeared, instantly lifting her mood.


    Finally.


    A peaceful night.


    The opening song began, its melody filling the quiet room. Evelyn rxed against cushions, a faint smile forming as she prepared to lose herself in fictional chaos rather than her own.


    Knock. Knock.


    The sound was soft. Polite. Yet impossibly disruptive.


    Evelyn’s brows drew together. She turned her head toward the door, mild confusion crossing her face. It waste. Her maid or Jimmy rarely came to her bedroom at this hour, especially after dinner, unless something required immediate attention.


    Curiosity stirred.


    “Madam…” Laura’s gentle voice followed the knock. “…I apologize if I interrupt your rest. But, may Ie in?”


    Evelyn straightened slightly. “No need to apologize. Please,e in.”


    The door opened slowly. Laura stepped inside.


    And immediately, Evelyn sensed something unusual.


    Her maid looked… hurried. Not panicked, but clearly flustered. A cell phone rested tightly in her hand, and her usual calm expression carried a trace of apology.


    “Madam, I’m very sorry if I’m bothering you,” Laura said, her tone respectful yet tinged with urgency.


    Evelyn smiled reassuringly. “It’s fine, Laura. You’re not interrupting or bothering me.”


    Laura visibly rxed, though her grip on the phone did not loosen.


    “Go ahead. Tell me why you’re here, Laura.” Evelyn calmly asked.


    Laura hesitated briefly before answering. “Well… Ma’am, it’s Ms. Alicia. She has been trying to call you several times.”


    Evelyn’s expression froze. Then shifted into quiet resignation.


    ’She did? Hmmm. Of course she did…’ Evelyn can’t help butugh inwardly, knowing her stepmother will never stop until she speaks to her.


    “And since you didn’t answer…” Laura continued carefully, lifting the phone slightly, “…and that’s why she called me.”


    For a brief moment, Evelyn simply stared. The situation was almost impressive. She had silenced her phone. Yet somehow, Alicia had still found a way.


    “I see,” Evelyn said slowly, amusement flickering behind her eyes.


    Laura nodded nervously. “She sounded very worried, Madam.”


    “I’m sure she did,” Evelyn replied with a faint, knowing smile.


    Laura stepped forward, extending the phone toward her. “She asked me to give this to you immediately. Ugh, well, this is still connected to her. I’m sorry.”


    Evelyn epted the device, shaking her head lightly.


    ’Well,’ she sighed with yful disbelief, ’my family truly refuses to let me disappear even for a second.’


    Laura stepped aside in the corner while waiting.


    …


    “Hi, Alice…” Evelyn greeted her cheerfully.


    “My dear Eve!” Alicia’s voice burst through instantly, filled with frantic concern. “Are you alright? What happens on the inte? Why does the gossip appear about my son-inw? Why didn’t you answer my calls?”


    Evelyn winced slightly at the volume and her never-ending question.


    “Alice,” she said gently, “I’m using Laura’s phone right now.”


    A brief pause followed.


    “Oh.” The shift in Alicia’s tone was immediate and unmistakable.


    “I’ll hang up now,” Evelyn continued quickly. “I’ll call you back on my phone.”


    “But Eve—”


    “I promise.”


    Another pause.


    “…Alright,” Alicia sighed, relief clearly audible. “Call me immediately.”


    “I will.”


    Evelyn ended the call and lowered the phone. For a moment, she simply sat there. Half amused. Half exhausted.


    She turned toward Laura. “Thank you, Laura.”


    Laura nodded politely.


    “You may rest now,” Evelyn added gently. “And turn off your phone.”


    Laura blinked, confused. “Turn it off?”


    “Yes,” Evelyn said with a small, knowing smile. “Before the others decide you’re now my official recement.”


    Laura’s eyes widened slightly. “Oh dear…” she smiled, knowing what her madam was trying to say.


    Evelynughed softly. “Trust me. It’s safer that way.”


    Laura smiled, clearly entertained. “Yes, Madam.” Then, she turned toward the door, pausing briefly. “Goodnight, Madam.”


    “Goodnight, Laura,” Evelyn said while leaning back against the sofa once more, ncing at her still-silent phone.


    Her peaceful night…


    Had officially surrendered.


    Evelyn did not want Alicia to wait any longer. The moment Laura left the room, she reached for her own phone and then pressed Alicia’s name.


    The call barelypleted its first ring.


    “My girl Eve!” Alicia’s voice burst through the speaker with the exact same mixture of sadness, worry, and barely controlled rage. “Are you alright? What is happening on the inte? Why is there gossip about my son-inw? Tell me the truth. Axel would not do something like that to you. And if he did, I swear, I will go to him personally and beat him.”


    Evelyn had to bite her lip, holding back herughter, to hear Alicia sound genuinely ready for battle.


    “Alice…” Evelyn began, her tone gentle but steady.


    “No, don’t ’Alice’ me,” Alicia continued dramatically. “I read everything. My blood pressure nearly hit a dangerous level. Who is that woman? Where did shee from? Why is she so confident?”


    Evelyn closed her eyes briefly, fighting the smile threatening to escape.


    “Alice, calm down and take a deep breath.”


    “I am calm and breathing!”


    “No, you don’t. I could hear it,” Evelyn tries to tease her.


    A brief pause followed.


    admin


    <strong>Olivia Harris</strong> is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.