Chapter 8
Hugo tossed his phone aside and strode into the office. “Get that 3–million deposit ready,” he barked at his team.
No way was he taking any risks. Evalina’d been acting all weird lately, like he didn’t even know her. And he realized he didn’t–not at all.
“Hugo, you made it!” his friend Jasper Blackwood charged in, grinning. “I saw this amazing sketch in the design department. You’ve been trying to find someone to design Tranquil Heights, but nobody would bite. Well, a studio just took it on.
“That project that’s been stuck for ages can finally get going. I’m dying to see how your nosy uncle will try to mess with you now.”
But then he noticed Hugo’s face – pure fury, as he rummaged through some files.
“Shut it,” Hugo snapped, cutting off Jasper’s chatter.
“Whoa, what’s the matter?” Jasper finally picked up on the vibe.
Hugo sneered, “I need to find Evalina. She wants 3 million, right? I’m taking it to her myself. I wanna see if she’s got the guts to take it.”
“Evalina? Your wife? What’s going on? She’s just a sweet, innocent little thing. How’d she suddenly tick you off so bad?” Jasper had never seen Hugo this angry before.
“She wants 30 million to agree to a divorce!” Hugo snapped.
Jasper was totally shocked and got to say after a pause, “This woman’s something else. So money–grubbing. I totally underestimated her greed.”
Hugo’s fists clenched tighter and tighter, like he was picturing Evalina’s head in his hand.
“Mr. Hayes, we found Mrs. Hayes,” the subordinate reported, all out of breath.
“Where?” he asked.
“Grace Hospital,” replied the subordinate.
For a second, Hugo’s usually unflappable face froze.
Evalina finished her IV, feeling a bit better as the fever started to drop. She checked her messages and saw the cash from Walden. The client was cool, giving her a big chunk–1 million.
Added that to the 10 million Hugo was supposed to give, and she was good for a bit.
She knew Hugo would throw her some cash. Maybe not all the 10 million at once, but he’d cover the deposit. He was all about Olive and wouldn’t want anything to mess up her good name.
“Evalina, you need to get that D& C procedure done. Like, now. If you don’t, you could get a bad infection and those fevers might hit again,” the doctor said, looking serious.
Evalina knew she needed it, but she’d been putting it off with no one around to sign off.
If Mom finds out about… well, the situation, she’ll go straight to Hugo and cause a scene. And if Hugo finds out… Evalina snorts a little. ‘Hugo would feel sorry for me? What am I thinking? Nah, he’ll just taunt me about it.
Suddenly, Hugo’s voice startled Evalina, making her heart race. “Evalina,” he said.
There he was, appearing in his usual black attire, standing out amidst the hospital’s sterile colors. His face was hard to forget, and the doctors nearby couldn’t help but gawk, wondering what brought Hugo to their hospital.
