When Winston came to the door, he could just barely make out voices murmuring outside, but he couldn''t catch what they were saying.


    He opened the door, puzzled. The moment he saw Finn standing there, surprise flickered across his face.


    Finn?


    What on earth was he doing here?


    At thest family gathering, Winston had overheard Finn say he and Evangeline were dating. But as far as Winston knew, Finn swapped girlfriends more often than he changed shirts-he''d never imagined those two wouldst.


    He certainly hadn''t expected Evangeline to actually bring Finn home to the Whitmore estate.


    Evangeline caught the uncertainty in his eyes but didn''t bother to exin. "The photos," she said, her tone brisk. "I''m here for them."


    Winston''s brow furrowed as he feigned a look of wounded affection. "After all this time apart, is this really how you greet your own father?"


    Evangeline was about to reply, but just then, another figure squeezed out from the


    room.


    "Evangeline, you''re back."


    The voice was oily and thick, and a momentter, a plump, familiar face


    appeared, its beady eyes sweeping over her from head to toe.


    Evangeline stiffened.


    "You?"


    It took her a moment to ce him.


    The charity g at the Lockridge Foundation-the man who had tried to drug her drink that night.


    Winston gave a thin smile. "So you already know Mr. Wellington. No need for introductions then."


    He tried to act nonchnt, but Evangeline caught the flicker of guilt in his gaze.


    Clearly, Winston had known about that night all along.


    She realized now that Mr. Wellington seeking her out at the g was no ident -Winston, or perhaps Hazel, had likely been behind it.


    "Evangeline remembers me? I''m honored," Mr. Wellington beamed, his smile spreading wider.


    But Evangeline felt a chill run through her.


    She understood Winston''s intentions instantly.


    In truth, she''d already suspected that his sudden summons had something to do with her divorce from Soren.


    She''d guessed he''d try to push her into some arranged date, urge her to remarry, tell her to think of her mother and help rebuild the Whitmore name.


    But she hadn''t expected it would be Mr. Wellington.


    Mr. Wellington was older-divorced, at least fifteen years her senior, and notorious for his sleazy reputation. He was the same man who had tried to force her to drink that spiked wine.


    The memory of that night still made her skin crawl.


    If she hadn''t run into Soren that evening-if Soren hadn''t intervened...


    She clenched her fists, icy dread creeping from her scalp all the way down to her toes.


    Sensing her distress, Finn gently patted the back of her hand in reassurance. To her own surprise, Evangeline actually began to calm down.


    Now more than ever, she was grateful she''d brought Finn with her. Without him, she wasn''t sure she could handle whatever was about to happen.


    As expected, Winston said, "Well, since you''re here, why note in and have dinner before you go?"


    Evangeline didn''t move. "Is this really dinner, or are you just trying to sell your daughter off? You know perfectly well which it is."


    Winston''s face darkened. "What are you talking about?"


    "You know exactly what I''m talking about." Evangeline''s voice was icy as she stared him down. "Keep your dinner. I''m only here for the photos. I''vee, now hand them over and I''ll be on my way."


    With infuriating calm, Winston reached into his pocket and produced a


    photograph, handing it to her.


    It was a portrait of her as a small child.


    Evangeline frowned. "You know this isn''t the one I want."


    "The rest are inside," Winston said. "Once youe in, I''ll get them for you."


    Evangeline let out a coldugh. "You''re as despicable as ever."


    "You-!" Winston spluttered, his face turning red with anger.