The CEO Gets What He Wants

Chapter 607

Chapter 607 Not This Time

The glow of dusk was picturesque.

Smooth, elegant piano music was playing softly in the café near Trident Group, but it did not interrupt the quiet conversations of the guests.

Avery was familiar with that café, as she had been there more than once. Both the ambiance and the service were top-notch, making it an ideal place for serious discussions. In fact, she had previously negotiated some deals there.

This time, however...

Avery stirred her steaming coffee, but she was not in the mood for a sip.

After hesitating for a moment, she began candidly, “I asked you out today because I wanted to ask you something, Evangeline.”

Evangeline, who was seated across from Avery, had light makeup on.

Too caught up in the excitement of the reconciliation that was going to take place the following day at that moment, she failed to notice Avery's unusual mood.

Instead, she glanced at her watch with a hint of impatience. “Just speak your mind if you have something to say, Avery. Mom wants me to get home quickly after work today. She's going to take me to the store to pick out a dress.”

Avery turned pale. She tried hard to keep her voice steady. “Are you sure you're their daughter, Evangeline? Have you ever considered the possibility that... there might be a mistake?”

Evangeline gave a start, jerking her head up to look at her friend as if her secret had been seen through. She looked somewhat embarrassed.

Yet, she continued to feign surprise by giving a nonchalant laugh. “How could there possibly be a mistake? My parents personally sought out the most reputable detective agency in Ackleton to investigate my background, and everything matched up. Even if there were errors in the investigation, you should at least believe in modern technology; the DNA test results have confirmed that I am the biological daughter of William and Claire. How could there still be any doubt?”

Avery wanted to suggest that DNA test results could easily be tampered with.

However, when she saw the hopeful look in Evangeline's eyes, she swallowed the words she wanted to say.

After a few moments of racking her brain, Avery made another attempt at persuading her friend. “Nothing is absolutely certain, Evangeline. There might have been a mix-up. The Lambert family might invite many reporters when they announce your identity at the reunion banquet tomorrow, and if by any chance there is a mistake, the Lambert family will become a laughingstock, and your situation will become very awkward...”

Being previously lackadaisical with happiness, Evangeline suddenly grew alert and wary. Her voice, too, became displeased. “What do you mean by that, Avery? Do you think I'm pretending to be a daughter of the Lambert family?”

Avery set down the spoon in her hand and said patiently and politely, “You misunderstood what I meant, I just—”

Evangeline set down her coffee. “I will warmly welcome you if you come to my reunion banquet tomorrow, Avery, but please stop saying things that might lead to misunderstandings. My parents have already confirmed and acknowledged the fact that I am their biological daughter, and it seems to me that you, an outsider, do not have a say in this. Besides, whether or not I am their daughter is none of your concern. Why are you so worked up?”

Avery lowered her gaze in silence and stared blankly at the dark liquid in the coffee cup, with agony gnawing at her heart.

She did not know how to explain it to Evangeline.

Should I just show her the DNA test I've conducted and tell her that her previous test was a sham?

She was certain that Evangeline would never believe her and might even question her motives; their friendship would undoubtedly shatter if she were to bring this matter to light. It was a risk she was not willing to take.

Evangeline realized that her emotions had gotten the better of her when Avery fell unnaturally silent. She composed herself, and her tone became meek once more. “I'm sorry for my outburst, Avery, but I'm sure you know that I've spent many years searching for my real parents. The heartache and bitterness I've experienced during this time is something only I can truly understand. Now that I've finally met them, nobody knows how much I cherish everything I now have. I don't want anyone to spoil my newfound happiness. Could you understand what I'm going through? All right, we'll talk anotherProperty of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

day. I'm going home to try on my dress. You should be getting back, too.”

Without another word, Evangeline rose from her seat, gave Avery a wave, and scuttled out of the café.

Avery closed her weary eyes. The thought of Evangeline's reunion banquet looming ahead made her increasingly gloomy.

People are strange like that.

If she did not know that William and Claire were her biological parents, the reunion banquet might not have moved her.

Now that she knew they were her family and that they were acknowledging another girl as their daughter, it caused a sour twinge in Avery's heart despite not being close to them.

It felt as if something that originally belonged to her had been usurped, and it left her with an inexplicable discomfort.

Cayden was done with work for the day when Avery arrived back at his office.

He saw her walk in, looking utterly dispirited, and immediately stood up, went over to her, and asked with concern, “What's wrong? You look pale.”

Avery shook her head and sat down on the chair. “I just had a talk with Evangeline and hinted that she's not the Lamberts' daughter. I don't know if she was playing dumb or if she's genuinely kept in the dark. She simply won't believe what I say...”

Cayden walked up to her, gently ruffled her hair, and said, “Silly girl, if you confront Evangeline head-on like this, of course she wouldn't believe you if you tell her the truth. If you ruin her family recognition banquet over this, she might even resent you. I understand the torment you're going through right now. It doesn't matter whether or not the Lambert family has the reunion banquet tomorrow. The truth will eventually come to light, and when that day comes, they will be the ones to regret it. Of course, if you don't want the Lambert family to host the banquet, I have ways to stop it. Honestly speaking, I don't really want you to reconcile with them. You might face a lot of backlash once you become one of them. The entanglement between Nicole and me is also a thorn in Mrs. Lambert's side. I'm more worried that she will try to keep us apart.”

Avery was feeling torn. “I really don't know what to do now.”

“It's all right,” Cayden consoled her. “I'm here with you. Trust me, the reunion banquet tomorrow will not succeed.”

Avery looked at him in astonishment. “Why?”

Cayden gave her a mysterious smile. “It's a secret. You'll find out tomorrow.”

In fact, he had, in secret, discovered the truth about Evangeline's DNA test matching with William and Claire's and that it was Nicole who was up to mischief again.

As he thought of the results of the investigation, an unprecedented chill passed over his beady eyes.

It seems that Nicole still hasn't learned her lesson. I'm not going to let her off so easily this time.