The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn)

The senior representative started to write down Sandy's name. His pen poised to craft the second letter of her name, when Evelyn's voice cut through the air like a sudden gust. "Hold on!" she exclaimed. Then the heavy doors of the family hall swung open with a dramatic clang, grabbing everyone's attention.

The senior representative's hand wavered, and the ink from his brush bled onto the paper, a dark stain spreading like an uninvited guest. His eyebrows knitted into a frown. Patrick, who had also witnessed the scene, felt his temper flare. He shot Evelyn a glare colder than a winter's night, his eyes swirling with barely contained rage.

"How dare you!" Patrick roared, his voice echoing off the walls. In his fury, he snatched up a nearby whip and lashed out towards Evelyn. But Charles stepped in just in time, taking the brunt of the whip across his back. The impact was harsh, leaving Patrick's expression even more sour.

"You should step out first," Charles interjected calmly, yet with a firmness that left no room for argument. "We can handle this after the ceremony." His tone was deep and, if you listened closely, held a touch of gentle persuasion.

Unlike Patrick, Charles wasn't consumed with anger at Evelyn's appearance. Instead, a mix of emotions churned within him, emotions he couldn't quite name. Did her presence here mean she still had feelings for him? She tried to feign indifference, but the thought of publicly declaring his relationship with Dahlia still stirred something within her.

"Charles..." Dahlia's voice broke through, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she stepped forward. "Evelyn, I know Sandy being included in the Jenkins family tree upsets you, but can't it wait until the ceremony's over? We shouldn't miss the time." Patrick was one always mindful of tradition and appearances. He scowled, hating Evelyn even more for causing a scene. With Charles standing in the way, he couldn't do much, so he signaled to the butler with a stern look. "Escort her out."

"Don't make a scene," Charles added, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Sandy joining the family tree is significant. When Charlie returns, she'll be included too."

Evelyn remained unmoved, her lips curling into a cold smile. Her gaze shifted to Dahlia, who had been so smug about Sandy's place in the family tree moments ago. Evelyn's eyes were filled with icy mockery as she pushed past Charles and confronted the elders. "Sir, may I ask, what's the primary requirement for someone to be added to the Jenkins family tree?"

"The bloodline of the Jenkins family, of course," the senior representative replied, his tone softening slightly towards Evelyn, due to his fondness for Rosa.

Evelyn's words hung in the air as she glanced at Dahlia. That glance sent a chill down Dahlia's spine. Had Evelyn figured something out?

"Charles," Dahlia whispered, clutching his wrist in a panic. Charles' expression had turned to ice, and he strode towards Evelyn, grabbing her wrist to pull her away. "Outside, now!"

Evelyn was prepared for this,

dodged his grip and produced

Sandy's paternity test. She placed it squarely before the senior representative. "Let her speak," the senior representative commanded, his voice grave.

Evelyn met Charles' gaze, her words cutting through the room, "Sandy can't be added to the Jenkins family tree because she's not Charles' daughter!" She raised the paternity test report, her voice unwavering.

Dahlia's face drained of color. Evelyn did know the truth! Once everyone recognized the report's authenticity from the Capital's leading center, they rose from their seats, their expressions shifting. Patrick, seeing red, snatched the report from Evelyn and hurled it at Charles. "This is the woman you're so set on marrying!" he spat.noveldrama

Evelyn ignored the shock rippling

through the room, focusing solely on Charles. For five years, he'd never trusted her. He dismissed her words about Charlie's death as madness. But today, she'd brought the truth to light, and she waited for Charles to see the report, to realize Sandy wasn't his daughter, and to feel the weight of his mistakes.

And once the shock and anger set in, she'd be ready to confront him with Charlie's death certificate, leaving no room for doubt.