By the time Evangeline stopped, Edward had been badly beaten. He lay paralyzed on the ground, unable to get up.
Evangeline clapped her hands. "Okay, I'm done. Go on," she said, then turned and went upstairs, leaving completely.
"My poor son" Bethany cried, her heart breaking. She and Samson helped Edward up and rushed him to the hospital.
George and Meghan were alone at home. Meghan bit her lip and said softly, "Dad, what should we do? If we don't do as Evangeline said, our affairs will be exposed. We'll be social outcasts, and the Gallagher family business will be ruined."
George's face darkened. He looked as if he wanted to kill Evangeline.
Meghan continued sadly, "I don't care about myself, but I don't want to see you die, Dad. The Gallagher family can't survive without you. If Gallagher Group loses you, our foundation will crumble. How can you face our ancestors?"
George's heart pounded; panic filled his eyes. The Gallagher family had been Hofcaster's wealthiest for decades, but their fortunes had declined since he took over. In recent years, they'd lost their top spot. He already felt shame before his ancestors. If he destroyed the family, he'd face them in disgrace. Therefore, he couldn't die, and his secret with Meghan couldn't be revealed.
"Dad," Meghan whispered, "when Edward recovers, persuade him to post the evidence that framed Evangeline. If he does, she'll let us go."
George shook his head sullenly. "No way. He won't admit to framing her."
"Dad," Meghan pleaded, "if you won't make Edward confess, are you willing to let us die in his place? You can risk my life, but not yours! The Gallagher family needs you…"
George wiped Meghan's tears. He said in a deep voice, "Edward's actions restored the Gallagher family's reputation. If the truth about him forcing Pamela's death to frame Evangeline comes out, our reputation will be destroyed again. People will boycott us, and the Gallagher family will be finished!"
"Then what do we do?" Meghan asked.
A cruel glint entered George's eyes. "We let him die. Evangeline said she won't pursue it if the evidence isn't made public. It's a small price to pay to save the Gallagher family. Besides, people feel sorry for him now. If he dies, they'll sympathize and support our business!"
At that moment, in the entrance hall, Bethany overheard George's words. She felt a chilling shock. George is a monster! she thought. He wants to kill Edward to save himself and that viper, Meghan! How could he be so cruel to his own son?
Bethany covered her mouth to stifle a scream. Luckily, she'd left her phone inside and returned to get it, which is why she overheard their plan. Otherwise, she wouldn't have known they intended to murder Edward. They'd been so hasty leaving for the hospital that they hadn't closed the door. Bethany entered silently, unnoticed by George and Meghan.
She listened, hatred burning in her eyes, as the callous pair plotted Edward's murder. She wouldn't let them hurt him! If anyone died, it would be those monsters, George and Meghan! Bethany clenched her teeth, burying her rage. She didn't retrieve her phone but quietly left the mansion.
After leaving the Gallagher residence, Evangeline went to a barbecue restaurant, ordering numerous skewers and several beers. She was in a celebratory mood. After her food and drinks arrived, she removed her mask and began to eat, finishing a bottle of beer in one gulp. She belched, then ate a lamb skewer. This is great, she thought.
Someone secretly filmed her. Evangeline noticed and smiled, removing her hat. The person, speechless at her beauty, gasped, She's breathtaking! He fled, uploading the video online.
A post appeared: "Sports Student, 20 Years Single: I think I just saw Evangeline at a barbecue place. Wasn't she arrested for murder? Why is she here?" The video was attached.
The video quickly went viral, sparking outrage among netizens. Their angry comments nearly crashed Twitter.
Comments included: "Did Evangeline escape or get released?" "She must have been released. If it was a prison break, she wouldn't be so brazen." "Evangeline murdered someone, and they let her go? Is there no justice?" "Hofcaster Police Station, explain yourselves!" "What's Evangeline's background?" "If I were there, I'd kill her and avenge Pamela!"
People at the restaurant, alerted by friends, checked the internet and glared at Evangeline. Her phone rang.
"Evangeline, this is the Hofcaster Police Station. Why are you out in public? Didn't you say you wouldn't show your face? The news is blowing up; reporters are storming the station! Someone's organizing a mob to get you! You're amazing; you caused all this chaos in hours!" The policeman's voice was furious but also concerned. "Where are you? We're coming to get you."
"Don't come," Evangeline said. "I'm fine. Release the video now."
"Okay," the policeman said, stunned. "Even if you don't agree, we have to. Otherwise, Hofcaster will be a riot tonight." They spoke briefly before disconnecting.
Many people surrounded Evangeline. "You murderer!" one shouted. "You killed someone and are out partying!" another yelled. "The law can't control you, but we will!"
They were about to attack when Evangeline said calmly, "I know you're angry, but check the Hofcaster Police Station's Twitter first."
They did, their expressions shifting from fury to shock, remorse, and regret.
"We're sorry, Evangeline," one said. "We were misled." Apologies came from all sides.
Evangeline waved for silence. "Apologies are boring. How about you pay my tab as an apology?"
"Okay," someone said, stunned.
"Start with ten bottles of Macallan," Evangeline said.
They bought the whiskey. Under Evangeline's direction, the tables were joined. Strangers were now drinking and laughing together, until the early hours. Evangeline, slightly drunk, said, "I'm going home. Bye." She fell and crawled away, followed by others who started crawling too.
Passersby, witnessing hundreds of people crawling and screaming, were terrified. "Oh my god, is Halloween early this year?" one said. "Hundreds of ghosts crawling" another whispered.