[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-249":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},249,35,"Chapter 35: \"He Signed Over Everything\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Noticing the worry etched onto Edward’s face, Marcellus said coolly, \"May I borrow your laptop for a moment?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Though puzzled by the request, Edward nodded and pushed his laptop across the mahogany desk.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus’s fingers flew across the keyboard. A moment later, he turned the screen toward the older man. Edward squinted at the display, his confusion slowly giving way to absolute shock.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What is this?\" Edward stammered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"My security deposit for Evangeline.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You... you’ve transferred your entire net worth to her?\" Edward stared at the screen, speechless. \"You’re giving her total control?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"A husband managing his assets through his wife is simply standard practice,\" Marcellus replied, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The move effectively silenced every argument Edward had been prepared to make. He couldn't find a single fault. One thing was certain: the man was utterly devoted to his daughter, just like he was to his wife. Edward decided right then and there—this was the son-in-law he wanted.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Outside the study, Evangeline was pressing her ear so hard against the doorframe she could practically hear the heartbeat of the house. She paced back and forth, spiraling. Was her father saying no? Was he trying to force them to break up?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Just as she leaned in for one last attempt to listen, the door clicked open. Evangeline stumbled forward, colliding straight into a wall of solid muscle.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She rubbed her nose, which was aching from the impact, and looked up with a sheepish grin. \"Hi, Dad.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward let out a frustrated but affectionate sigh. \"You girl. Did you really think I was going to eat him?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No! I was just… worried he’d say something blunt and upset you.\" She hooked her arm through her father's, winking over his shoulder at Marcellus.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward saw right through his daughter’s little performance and shook his head with a smile. \"Alright, go on. Take him for a walk.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Got it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline let go of her father’s arm and immediately laced her fingers through Marcellus’s, gripping his hand tightly. Watching them, Edward felt a familiar pang of bittersweetness. His little girl was being whisked away by someone else.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As they strolled through the garden, Evangeline looked up at him, her curiosity piqued. \"What did my dad actually say to you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"He told me to love you, cherish you, and keep you safe.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Well, you’ve been doing a pretty spectacular job of that already.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus stopped, turning to look at her with an intensity that made her breath hitch. \"It’s only going to get better from here.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline’s eyes glimmered with unshed tears. She stepped into his personal space, wrapping her arms firmly around his waist. \"Thank you, Marcellus. Thank you for loving me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No,\" he whispered, resting his chin on the top of her head. \"Thank you for coming into my life.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">You brought light to a world that was entirely dark.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh, look at them! How sweet! Isn't it wonderful to be young?\" Marilyn whispered from the shadows of a nearby pillar, her hands clasped in delight.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward tugged at her sleeve, flustered. \"Stop peeping! If they catch us, it’ll be embarrassing.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hmph. Fine, let's go.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marilyn couldn't take her eyes off them. She was thrilled.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Are you that satisfied with him?\" Edward asked, noting how she hadn't stopped smiling since the couple arrived.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"My satisfaction doesn't matter. What matters is that our girl is happy. You can see love in a person's eyes, Edward. When she was with Jonah, when did you ever see her look at him like that?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward paused, retracing his memory. He nodded slowly. \"You’re right. I never did.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">If his daughter was happy, the only thing a parent could do was stand by her side.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">During lunch, the family sat together, laughter flowing freely. It was the first time Marcellus had truly experienced the warmth of a genuine home. It was no wonder Evangeline was like a little sun—she was fueled by this endless, radiant energy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">By the afternoon, Marcellus departed, and Evangeline headed back to C&R Atelier to focus on her contest entry.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi! I'm back!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Jemma Riley pulled Evangeline aside, whispering urgently, \"Remi’s been moping in her office for two days straight!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Really? Let me check on her.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline pushed the door open to find Remi slumped over her desk, looking utterly defeated. \"Remi? What’s going on?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi looked up. Her eyes were bloodshot, and the moment she saw Evangeline, tears spilled over like pearls from a broken string. Evangeline was startled, rushing over to pull her friend into a hug. \"Don't scare me like that! What happened?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi sniffled, her voice thick. \"Evangeline... I think I’ve been hit by a heartthrob.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What?\" Evangeline was completely baffled.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’ve fallen for him!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You like someone? Isn't that supposed to be a good thing? Why are you crying?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s wrong! Everything about it is wrong. We didn't meet at the right time, there was no build-up, no flirting—just a sudden, messy collision. I shouldn't like someone who was so forward with me, but my heart is betraying me!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After a convoluted explanation, Evangeline finally pieced the story together. \"So, you’re saying you think Damian Spencer acted like a total cad, but you’ve actually caught feelings for him, and you can’t forgive yourself for it?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi nodded miserably. \"Yeah.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, Damian isn't the type to be cavalier. Is it possible he’s just as confused as you are?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s not about that! He didn't show me any respect!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline understood, but she knew better than to push. Matters of the heart were messy. \"Look, from what I know, Damian doesn't have much dating experience. Let’s not write him off yet. Just observe him for a while, okay?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi wiped her eyes, looking at her friend hopefully. \"You really think so?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I do. I’m on your side—always. I wouldn't lie to you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Okay.\" Remi felt a weight lift. She realized how exhausted she was; she hadn't slept properly in days. \"Evangeline, I need to crash. You handle the shop this afternoon, okay?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Go on, get some sleep.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline watched her friend drift off, determined to keep a closer eye on Damian. She couldn't let Remi get hurt.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After a long nap, Remi finally emerged, looking much more like herself. \"Evangeline?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Awake? Feeling better?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi leaned against her shoulder. \"Much.\" Her eyes drifted to the sketches on the table, her interest instantly piqued. \"Wait, are we doing wedding gowns now?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline handed her the portfolio. \"This is for the design competition. What do you think?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s stunning. The sheer lace mixed with the heavy satin—it’s dignified, elegant, and yet it still has that soft, youthful touch. The lines are perfect. It’s gorgeous!\" Remi looked at her with pure admiration.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then I’m submitting this one.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Definitely. This piece is going to sweep the competition!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Let’s do it.\" They high-fived, the shared excitement washing away the morning's gloom.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272912202]