The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover (Evelyn) novel Chapter 74

74 Paparazzi Are Sniffing Around

Toby faked a dramatic sigh of disappointment, clutching the muffin bag as if he’d just been rejected by destiny itself. 1

“Ah, she’s married. My would-be love story ends before it even begins. Tragic.”

The barista chuckled. “Hope our muffins can ease your heartbreak, sir. Enjoy.”

Toby walked back to the table, his grin splitting ear to ear. Dean eyed him suspiciously.

“Well? Did you get the barista’s phone number, or did you just embarrass yourself for nothing?” Dean asked mockingly.

“Oh, I got something much better.” Toby dropped into his chair, savoring his secret like a fine wine. “Confirmation. That was Evelyn Walters. Alive. Breathing. And, apparently, hiding in plain sight.”

Dean nearly spat out his coffee.

“You’ve got to be joking! Right? Th-The Evelyn Walters? Heiress-turned-scandal-queen? Man, if you’re wrong, this is gonna be

scandalous for us. Maybe the end of our career, man!”

“Psst…!”

Toby raised his finger to his lips to quiet Dean from speaking loudly. He can’t risk another team reporter from a different company

overhearing them.

“Ups, sorry…” Dean speaks in a whisper.

Toby tapped his phone screen, revealing the blurry yet unmistakable photo.

“Well, my dear friend, we are about to get rich.”

Dean leaned closer, skeptical, but the moment his eyes focused on the screen, his voice filled with sarcasm.

“Oh, here we go again. Whenever you say the word rich, it usually ends with me bailing you out of trouble…” He froze, blinking hard.

Then his jaw dropped. “Holy hell. That’s her… Evelyn Walters?”

Toby chuckled, savoring every second of Dean’s astonishment. “Get your wallet ready, my friend, because trouble just walked back into

town… and she brought a kid.”

Dean dragged his gaze from the photo. “She’s married?”

“Yes!” Toby grinned, leaning casually in his scat. “But we need more proof. We will follow her. Find out who the husband is, where she’s

living The whole picture, literally”

Dean didn’t argue. He simply nodded eagerly at the news to be revealed.

“Now,” Toby went on, his eyes shining, “we can return to the capital without shame. No more boss breathing down our necks about not

catching Axel Knight’s picture”

Dean snorted.

15.14

1/4

<

74 Paparazzi Are Sniffing Around

“Axel Knight is slipperier than an cel. The man spends one night in this dump, and by dawn, he’s already back in the capital. Total waste

of time coming here.”

“Not anymore. Toby’s smirk grew sharper. “We might not have Axel, but we do have Evelyn Walters. She’s a bigger media target. So many people try to find out where she is now, and we hit the jackpot.”

Dean raised his coffee cup in mock salute. “To scandal magnets.”

Toby clinked the muffin bag against it.

“Now, hurry up and finish that brew. We’ll wait outside. If she notices us lurking here, she’ll run away again.” He began packing up his

laptop with quick, efficient movements, driven by his pumped adrenaline.

Outside, the small town buzzed quietly, unaware that two gossip reporters had just uncovered its darkest secret.

Meanwhile, inside Martha’s house, Evelyn remained blissfully unaware that Toby and Dean were already plotting her exposure.

She couldn’t leave yet, not when Martha’s worried gaze followed her every step. Martha had been tense all morning, ever since the news

spread that Axel Knight had been seen in town. The news unsettled her deeply.

Evelyn tried to stay calm, to smile, to pretend her world wasn’t trembling beneath her feet.

Oliver was happily distracted in the playroom, his laughter a bright sound in the tense air.

“Eve, come, let’s talk over there…” Martha gestured for her to follow her to the living area.

Evelyn slipped into the rhythm effortlessly, helping Anna and Dina work like mad, juggling trays and steaming pitchers. Relief flashed in

their eyes when Evelyn appeared.

“Mrs. Evelyn, thank goodness,” Anna panted, sliding her an order slip. “We’re drowning. They come in a few groups and order takeout.”

“Breathe, Anna,” Evelyn teased. “We’ll get through it.”

For the next hour, Evelyn helped them manage the storm. She makes coffee for the customer. Her calm presence was enough to calm

them.

When the last wave of customers finally settled, Anna leaned against the counter with a sigh.

But her eyes darted nervously to Evelyn. “We heard something this morning. People said… reporters are in town. Asking questions about

Mr. Axel Knight.”

Dina leaned closer, “They wouldn’t come here, would they? To our café?”

Evelyn straightened, her smile warm but firm. “Girls, stop worrying about it.”

“But what if…” Anna began.

Evelyn stopped her, “If you two keep frowning like that, our customers will think I’m mistreating you. So, please, stop worrying about

him…

Both baristas laughed, easing some of the tension. Evelyn softened her tone, “Listen… you don’t need to mention Axel to anyone. If you

keep quiet, you’ll be fine. No one will ever find out he comes here…

They nodded quickly, but Dina, ever curious, tilted her head. “But… boss, can I ask you? What is your relationship with Axel Knight?”

“My husband: 1

15:14

74 Paparazzi Are Sniffing Around

66

Please vote with Power Stones and Golden Tickets to help this book rise in the rankings! Thank you!

PurpleLight