Bradley was speechless, his face livid with anger. He pointed at Dexter, who remained calm and composed, but after a long while, could not utter a word.

"Do you have anything else to say?" Dexter asked lightly. "If not, I'll head back to my room."

Bradley waved his hand in resignation. "Forget it, just go."

Dexter immediately stood up and left the study. A while later, the door opened, and Laura entered.

Noticing Dexter's absence, she walked further in and asked, "Honey, have you sorted things out with Dexter?"

Bradley sighed and shook his head. "I brought up the idea of helping Evangeline find a partner, and although he didn't oppose it, he said that if he couldn't bear it, he would end his own life. How can I possibly introduce someone to Evangeline now?"

Laura's expression changed. She hadn't realized Dexter's dependence on Evangeline was so deep that he would say something like that.

"How did it go on your end? If Evangeline agrees, we need to tell her not to consider finding someone for now," Bradley said.

Laura responded gloomily, "She didn't agree. She said she hadn't thought about dating or marriage, and she even threatened to cut ties with us if we forced her."

Bradley nodded. "That's great."

Laura frowned. "But what if they develop romantic feelings for each other? What if something happens between them? They're twenty years old, yet they're still inseparable almost every day. Their rooms are even connected. I'm worried"

Bradley shook his head. "Let things run their course. We can't risk losing our son over this."

Laura looked conflicted. "But Evangeline has no social standing or family connections. If Dexter really chooses her, she won't be of any help to him. It's the worst possible option. Moreover, she's still our daughter in name only. If they end up together, it would ruin our reputation."

The more she spoke, the more distressed she became. Bradley sighed. "All of that only matters if Dexter is alive. If he doesn't even want to live, what's the point of worrying about any of this?" Laura fell silent. Bradley continued, "Evangeline isn't as bad as you make her out to be. We watched her grow up. Even though she's straightforward and doesn't understand the art of flattery or business intricacies, she has a good character and treats Dexter well. She also has high combat ability and can protect Dexter, ensuring he won't fall victim to schemes. In a family like ours, danger is always looming. Having someone who can ensure his safety is invaluable. If someone had been there to protect Dexter seventeen years ago, he wouldn't have been kidnapped and suffered for seven years."

Remembering the past, Laura felt a wave of pain, her eyes turning red. Dexter was their only child. When he was kidnapped at nearly three years old, they were thrown into despair. Her prolonged search for him, combined with her grief, damaged her health to the point she can no longer bear children. Dexter became their everything. Now, they were terrified of anything happening to him. As a result, over the years, they had fulfilled any of his requests.

Laura wiped her tears and said in a choked voice, "But Evangeline is too unforgiving and intolerant of even the smallest mistakes. No matter how close someone is to her, if they make a mistake, she holds a grudge. If the mistake isn't serious, she might give a second chance. But once they cross her line, she treats them like strangers or enemies. We're her adoptive parents, and we only wanted to introduce her to potential partners, yet she calmly threatened to sever ties with us. She's too cold-hearted. If she and Dexter end up together and he ever upsets her, she won't make an exception. She'll distance herself, maybe even treat him as an enemy"

Evangeline had friends growing up. She was beautiful and good at fighting, attracting other children. But children are often mischievous. Whenever they made mistakes, Evangeline would cut ties with them immediately. Apologies didn't work; if they pestered her, she'd beat them until they were too scared to approach her.

Laura knew that Evangeline's attitude stemmed from her harsh upbringing, and it had helped her survive. But this personality wasn't suited for high society or the business world. Dealing with people from high society, with their pretense and diplomacy, and the business world, with its deceit and rivalry, requires wearing masks and feigned cordiality. Evangeline would never be able to do that. She was intolerant even of her family, let alone outsiders.

Bradley said, "Given Dexter's dependence on Evangeline, he won't do anything to anger her. Stop worrying."

Laura gritted her teeth. "Everyone makes mistakes. Dexter might not make any now, but that doesn't mean he won't ever."

Bradley looked at her seriously. "Do you want to lose Dexter now?"

Laura didn't reply, her face flushed with frustration. She knew that interfering might lead Dexter to end his life. If they didn't interfere, at least Dexter would be safe for now.

"Fine, let's leave it be. As long as I see Dexter living well before I die, I won't ask for anything else," Laura said, resigned.

When Dexter returned to his room, he opened the connecting door to Evangeline's. She was searching for clothes, preparing to bathe. When she heard the door open, she glanced back briefly.

"Eva, what did Mom say to you?" Dexter asked.

Evangeline answered honestly, "She wanted to introduce me to potential partners, but I refused. I told her that if she forced me, I'd cut ties with them and leave."

Dexter chuckled. "Good job, Eva. If you ever leave the family, I'll leave with you."

Evangeline raised an eyebrow. "This is your home. Would you really leave?"

Dexter replied earnestly, "Wherever you are, that's where my home is."

Evangeline glanced back at him. Dexter, cheerfully, said, "Wait a moment, Eva. I'll run the bath for you."