Chapter 8 Who Gave You the Authority

Upon hearing this, Joseph immediately flew into a rage.

"Who the hell are you calling shameless? You got a death wish or what?"

As he spoke, he raised his fist, ready to strike Luke.

"Joseph," Evelyn quickly grabbed him, "don't be impulsive."

Joseph?

Both Luke and Maggie froze, clearly not processing what they'd just heard.

Evelyn pulled Joseph behind her, the irritation in her eyes no longer suppressible: "This is my brother, Joseph! You think everyone's as filthy-minded as you two?"

Joseph?

Luke certainly knew who Joseph was.

Years ago, when Evelyn insisted on marrying him and cut ties with the Thomas family, Joseph had even sent people to threaten members of the Miller family.

But Luke hadn't taken him seriously.

At the wedding afterward, not a single member of the Thomas family had shown up.

He'd assumed Evelyn would never contact the Thomas family again.

Maggie was completely stunned too, mouth hanging open, unable to utter a word.

After speaking, Evelyn didn't want to deal with Luke and Maggie anymore. She turned to Joseph and said, "Let's go. The atmosphere here is too suffocating."

Joseph glanced coldly at the two standing there, dumbfounded, then gently put his arm around Evelyn's shoulder, his voice softening: "Alright, whatever you say. But before we go home, I need to say something."

He stepped forward, looking at Luke: "Mr. Miller, you don't need to worry about my sister's lab anymore. Instead of wasting time bringing your assistant here to interrogate my sister, you'd better sign those divorce papers soon. So people don't gossip about the Miller Group being ungrateful."

As he finished, he shot a glance at Maggie.

The implication was crystal clear.

"You..."

"Maggie."

Maggie wanted to fight back, but Luke stopped her.

Seeing the warning in his eyes, she wisely shut her mouth.

Joseph gave her one cold look, then walked past Luke with Evelyn, leaving the reception room directly.

Luke stood frozen in place.

He watched Evelyn's departing figure, showing no reluctance to leave, his feelings indescribably complicated.

If that was Joseph, and she was paying him back, and still insisting on divorce—

Could it be she really wanted to end this marriage?

Maggie's expression was even darker than Luke's.

She'd originally wanted to smear Evelyn with an affair, making her look worse in Luke's eyes, but it had completely backfired.

"Mr. Miller," she spoke timidly, trying to salvage the situation, "I didn't know that was Evelyn's brother. I was just worried she was being scammed, with all that money suddenly..."

"Shut up."

Luke snapped, his sharp gaze sweeping over her. "Who told you to come here on your own? I clearly said to hold off on the funding withdrawal. Who gave you the authority to represent the Miller Group and deliver notices?"

Maggie trembled at his scolding, tears immediately welling up.

"I was just trying to help you."

Seeing Maggie cry, Luke felt even more irritated, but thinking about how she'd been taking care of Andy recently, he softened his expression.

"Fine, don't let it happen again. From now on, without my orders, don't come looking for Evelyn."

"...Yes."

Maggie wiped away her tears, but her eyes revealed a vicious glint.

She thought, 'Damn Evelyn, even if you have the Thomas Group backing you, I'll never let you have it easy.'

Meanwhile, Evelyn had already gotten into Joseph's car.

"Are you okay?" Joseph asked while starting the car, watching her through the rearview mirror.

Evelyn shook her head, leaning back against the seat. The nerves that had been tense all day finally relaxed, and exhaustion belatedly washed over her.

"I'm fine. It was an expected outcome."

Joseph's assessment was blunt. "That's Luke's judgment for you. Keeping that kind of assistant around for five years, letting her bully you however she wants? I think he's lost his mind."

Evelyn didn't respond.

Yeah, and she'd put up with it for five years.

"It's good though, a clean break. Saves you from being tangled up with them later." Joseph said, "Don't worry about the lab. I've got your back. Do whatever you want to do."

"Thank you," Evelyn said softly.

"Silly girl." Joseph glared at her through the rearview mirror. "Being formal with me? Mom and Dad are waiting at home. When they heard you were getting divorced, they were so happy they couldn't sleep all night."

When Joseph mentioned their parents, Evelyn felt a bit anxious.

They'd barely been in touch for five years, and their last conversation had ended in an argument.

The car pulled into a quiet, upscale residential area and stopped in front of a detached villa.

Evelyn followed Joseph into the yard. Before they reached the door, it opened.

Sophia Brown stood there wearing an apron, her well-maintained face showing no particular expression.

She looked Evelyn up and down and snorted: "So you still know how to come home? I thought you'd forgotten where the door was."

Aiden Thomas stood behind Sophia, wearing reading glasses.

He coughed at her words: "Say less. It's good that Evelyn's back."

"Am I wrong?" Sophia said irritably. "For some man, she abandoned her parents, didn't even call once. If your brother hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known my daughter was being bullied so badly out there!"

As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly.

Probably afraid Evelyn would see, she turned and walked inside. "Whatever, come in since you're here."

Evelyn stood there, her nose tingling, nearly bringing her to tears.

"Why are you standing at the door? Come in." Aiden waved at her, his tone gentler. "It's good you're back."

She entered the house. The living room was spacious and bright, decorated warmly and comfortably.

Dinner was lavish, all dishes Evelyn used to love.

Sophia kept piling food onto her plate, though still scolding: "Eat more, look how thin you are. Did they not feed you at the Miller Manor? I told you that jerk was no good, acting all high and mighty just because his family has money, but you wouldn't listen to us."

"Mom," Joseph interrupted her, "let's not bring up the past. Evelyn knows what she's doing."

"If she really knew, would she have let people bully her for five years?"

Sophia said, then looked at Evelyn with heartache. "You should divorce that kind of man as soon as possible! My daughter is so wonderful. Are you afraid you won't find a good partner?"

Aiden nodded too: "Divorce is good. I was angry before because you wouldn't listen, but I was angrier that you didn't know how to take care of yourself. Now that you've figured it out and want to end that toxic relationship, this house will always be your home."

Evelyn kept her head down, pushing food around in her bowl, tears finally unable to hold back, falling in large drops into her rice.

"Why are you crying?" Sophia handed her tissues, wiping her own eyes too. "He's not worth it."

"Okay." Evelyn nodded through her sobs.

The atmosphere eased.

Sophia looked at Evelyn, then at Joseph beside her.

She suddenly changed the subject: "And you, what kind of brother are you? Didn't you say last time you'd keep an eye out for suitable people for your sister? It's been so long, and there's been no movement at all."

Joseph nearly choked on his soup, putting down his spoon helplessly.

"Mom, how is that my fault? Evelyn isn't even divorced yet. If I arrange blind dates for her now, would that be appropriate?"

"By the time you find someone, your sister's hair will be gray!" Sophia said disapprovingly.

"I don't care, you have so many business partners, you must know a few young, handsome men, right? Start keeping an eye out. As soon as Evelyn's paperwork is done, arrange for them to meet her right away! My daughter is so beautiful and excellent, she can't stay single!"

Evelyn felt a bit embarrassed: "Mom, I'm not in a hurry..."

"You're not in a hurry, but I am," Sophia glared. "While you're young, take your time choosing a partner. This time, you must find someone considerate who knows how to respect you. Family background doesn't matter much; character is most important."

Joseph raised his hands in surrender: "Okay, okay, I'll keep an eye out, alright?"

"That's more like it."

Sophia was satisfied, and put another piece of steak on Evelyn's plate. "Eat more, build yourself up. From now on, live at home. Stay as long as you want. When you're busy at the lab, let your brother be your driver, on call whenever you need."

Joseph was speechless.

'So I've become a personal driver now?'

Evelyn looked at Joseph's defeated expression, then at her parents' caring faces. The coldness that had weighed on her heart for so long seemed to finally, slowly melt away in this warm atmosphere.

"Okay." She answered obediently, a happy smile spreading across her face.