Chapter 49: Evan soft spot

Evan doesn't want to watch the video any longer. He doesn't care what Avery did or said after burning the dog. The point is, she cruelly burnt his beloved pet.

"Maybe Mrs. Howel has her reasons," Robert suggests.

He has never seen Evan so agitated, but he knows how much the dog means to Evan. Evan has had the dog for ten years, and he raised him as a puppy.

"Mrs. Howel crossed the line this time," Robert thinks, "Evan was so thoughtful when he purchased the Zuri Hotel as a gift for her. Why would she throw his kindness in his face like that?"

"Well, we know Mrs. Howel got hurt," Robert said, trying to soothe Evan, "Mrs. Howel has been behaving oddly lately and perhaps she felt the need to even the score with the dog. Maybe it's a good thing—she's about to run the Zuri Hotel and that kind of aggression shows she has the right temperament for it."

Evan scowls at Robert.

"What the hell is the man talking about?" Evan thinks, "Surely Robert knows nothing about managing a hotel. He just babbles on about nonsense to change the subject."

Evan drops his phone on the ground, and walks to the sofa. Lucky retrieves the phone and follows Evan to the sofa, carrying the device gently in his mouth.

"Sir, Lucky picked up your phone," Robert says.

"I'm not blind, am I?" Evan snaps.

Evan takes the phone from Lucky's mouth. The device is covered in dog saliva and he tosses it to Robert to clean. Robert pulls a handkerchief from his pocket, but Lucky snatches the phone out of his hand and takes it back to Evan.

"Give it to Robert," Evan commands the dog.

Lucky ignores Evan and rubs against his master's arm, the phone still in his mouth. Evan takes the handkerchief from Robert and uses it to remove the phone from Lucky's mouth. The surveillance video begins to play again.

"You hurt me and I need to borrow some of your hair, okay?" Avery says coaxingly, "Don't worry. It'll grow back."

Evan stares at the phone transfixed. Avery gently torches a small patch of fur on Lucky's neck and then plucks a few strands of the burnt hair. She applies them to the scratch wounds on her arm.

"Nanny taught me to do this," she tells the dog.

She doesn't believe the superstition, but she figures it can't hurt to ward off bad luck. 

Tinder laughs out, "I can't believe Mrs. Howel believes that silly old superstition."

"Why are you laughing?" Evan snaps.

Tinder stops immediately, "I just find Mrs. Howel's way of treating the dog rather charming and unexpected."

"I thought you just said that my wife was odd and wanted to even the score," Evan growls.

"I'm sorry, sir."

Tinder is amazed when Evan's face broke into a huge smile.

Leonie and Mrs. Florence Howel sit in the elderly lady's sitting room. Leonie sniffles and takes a handkerchief from a servant to wipe her nose.

"Granny, Evan just gave the Zuri Hotel to Avery," she says, "Daddy was planning to give it to Diana as a wedding present. How can Evan just give it to Avery in my sister's absence?"

Mrs. Florence Howel is stunned by the news, "Are you sure about that?"

"Who knows what spells that woman is casting on Evan?" Diana asks, "Zuri Hotel is like Diana's child. I'm sure he wouldn't take it away from her if he weren't under some terrible influence."

Mrs. Howel pats Leonie on her back to console her, "Evan always has his plans. I know he won't treat your family unfairly."

A servant offers Leonie a glass of water, "Here, take this, Miss Summers it has soothing honey in it."

"I know your sister is a businesswoman devoted to her career, but I wonder what she's been doing all these years abroad," Mrs. Howel says.

She overheard Evan talking about Diana when she carried blood pressure drugs to her husband.

"I think she's busy doing research," Leonie answers, "She's visiting almost every five star hotel in the world to learn how to best manage them. To be honest, we're not sure where she is."

Mrs. Florence Howel nods. She knows that Diana came to talk to Francis Howel on the day of Evan's marriage. She wonders what sort of deal the woman struck with him.

Diana has almost vanished in the last few years. Her family claims they don't know her contact information and haven't heard from her in a while. They say that she's so focused on studying and learning, she's cut contact with the outside world.

Mrs. Florence Howel long suspected that Evan might have a soft spot for Diana, but the overheard conversation confirmed it. She realizes her grandson cares for Diana, not Leonie.

"Granny?" Leonie prompts.

"Yes, dear?" Mrs. Florence Howel pulls herself away from her thoughts and explains, "I think Evan did it for your sister."

"For my sister? That doesn't make any—"

Mrs. Florence Howel gives Leonie a solemn look, cutting her off.

"Tell me dear, what would you do if Evan liked your sister and not you?"

Leonie bites her lower lip and her eyes darken.

"If that were true, then I wouldn't do anything to get in the way," Leonie says, "Diana is my sister and I care deeply for Evan. I'm willing to give them a chance to be happy with each other."

As far as Leonie is concerned, her family will benefit if Diana marries Evan. It stings a little that Evan prefers her sister, but Leonie isn't about to admit that to Mrs. Florence Howel.

"You're so kind, Leonie. You do live up to my expectations," Mrs. Howel murmurs.

The elderly lady puts down her mug and beckons for Leonie to come nearer. She whispers something in the girl's ear, and Leonie's eyes widen.

"Are you telling me the truth about Evan wanting that woman to get pregnant?" Leonie asks, shocked.

Mrs. Howel nods determinedly.

"I suppose it makes sense," Leonie murmurs.