The Queen Returns—And She's Unforgiving

After finishing his sentence, Lucas removed his tie and was getting ready for a bath.

As he passed by her again, he couldn't bother to bat another eye at Evelyn. It was as if looking at her for even one more second would be considered an act of disloyalty toward Tiffany.

But whenever he looked at Evelyn, she always reminded him of those pale- skinned patients with terminal illnesses.

She barely regained her composure but quickly picked up on what he meant. Her face immediately flushed red. Beneath her embarrassment was an overwhelming sense of humiliation and shock.

Did he really think she wanted to sleep with him?

"Don't get the wrong idea." She took a deep breath and added, "I'm sleeping in the guest room tonight!"

Lucas turned his head around, his chiseled face devoid of expressions.

She had already left the room.

At least she was straightforward.

Thinking about it, it was a valid reaction. She must have felt embarrassed after being rejected.

A faint smirk tugged at his lips, and he then walked into the bathroom.

Judging by the clean bathtub, he could tell she hadn't filled it with hot water.

He stared at the bathtub for a long time before he decided to use the shower head instead.

Evelyn didn't sleep well that night as Lucas' sudden return disrupted her plans. She got out of bed and was getting ready for the day. As she stepped out of her room, she unexpectedly bumped into him leaving his room as well.

He was talking to someone on the phone with his usually cold but gentle tone. "Sure, I'm free. Let me know when you've made the arrangements."

She avoided making eye contact with him and went downstairs.

With such a tender voice, anyone could have guessed that he was talking to Tiffany.

She didn't expect the both of them to actually be this close.

She was also surprised to find Maria already there when she came downstairs. Maria smiled warmly and waved at her as she came down. "Good morning, Evie! Why are you up so early?"

She then saw Lucas who was following closely behind Evelyn down the stairs. She was pleased to see them.

Evelyn was taken aback. "Grandma! Why are you here this early?"

Maria had some of her servants take out the thermal food containers for them. "I heard you've recently switched to a new job. Lucas told me you have been super busy that you can't even spare time to come back and visit with him.

"Since no one's cooking at home, I thought I could prepare your favorite dishes and bring them over."

Evelyn glanced at him. Is this what he told her?

He'd rather tell Maria that she was so occupied with work that she barely came back home, and not the fact that they were getting a divorce?

She was quite confused. When would he tell Maria and the rest of his family the truth?

"Come on, Lucas. Come sit next to Evie," Maria said cheerfully.

Lucas didn't budge despite hearing what she said. Unhappy with his reaction, she shot him a glare.

"What's the matter? What's with that expression?"

He reluctantly sat down. "As long as this makes you happy, Grandma."

Evelyn didn't say a word.

Maria did most of the talking when they were dining together. She kept instructing Lucas to look after Evelyn at the dining table. "Here, Lucas. Take this and peel it for Evie. She likes steamed crab legs."

She knew that Lucas wasn't too happy with doing all this for her. "You don't have to-"

He had already picked up a crab leg before she could finish her sentence. He showed no emotion as he carefully peeled the shell off the crab leg and gently placed it onto her plate.

She was slightly dumbfounded and surprised.

Back then, she was the one who used to do these things. He would never dirty his hands with such tasks, nor had he ever peeled a crab leg for her.

Now, however, he could do it so effortlessly. He must have done this for Tiffany so many times that he became very familiar with it.

So, he was capable of taking care of someone all along.

It was ironic that she, as his wife, had to rely on someone else's influence just to experience his kindness for once.

Maria grew helpless and anxious as she watched them being so distant from each other. She always believed that Evelyn was a good person, and being the granddaughter of her late husband's ally only made her feel more responsible.

Seeing Lucas treat her with such coldness filled Maria with guilt.

"Isn't New Year's Eve just around the corner? Why don't you bring Evie with you on vacation to spend some time together?" Maria glanced at him with a hopeful look.

Evelyn turned to him, hoping he would finally tell her the truth.

Lucas slowly wiped his hands and said, "I have other plans that day. I won't be free."

"You little!" Maria slammed the table in anger. "Then, make time! You're a human being, not a machine that only follows a single routine all the time. Is work more important than spending time with your wife?"

He turned to Evelyn and asked in a monotone voice, "Do you want to go?"

He was asking Evelyn if she wanted to go with him. More accurately, he was giving her a warning to not say anything stupid.

She clenched her grip on her fork and said to Maria, "Grandma, I think I have other plans as well on New Year's Eve. The vacation is not necessary."noveldrama

Lucas had no intention of spending time with her. Besides, it sounded like he had already made plans with Tiffany during the phone call earlier.

He'd rather spend time with Tiffany instead.

Evelyn was always given endless excuses of him not having enough time.

Tiffany, on the other hand, would get all her requests granted by him no matter what.

Maria opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something else, but eventually gave up and let out a long sigh, dropping the subject altogether.

Since Evelyn's car broke down, Maria had him offer her a ride.

Lucas didn't seem too reluctant this time.

Evelyn didn't make a fuss about it either. She went to her car and carried the books that she packed into a box last night, then quietly got into Lucas' car.

"I'll have a mechanic take a look at my car soon. I'll come back and pick it up when he's ready."

He glanced at her and softly responded, "Suit yourself."

It felt like there was a huge gap between them. His eyes were glued to his navigation screen as soon as he got in his car. It was as if she was only a puff of air next to him.

Evelyn was distracted by all the thoughts racing through her mind right now.

After much hesitation, she decided to finally ask him when he was going to tell his family about their divorce.

"Mr. Grant, care for a quick chat?"