Rogue

Chapter 129

The person on the bed remained motionless. Evangeline let out bitter smile..

About an hour later, she stood up and said, “Naomi, you rest well I’ll come to see you next time.” With a longing gaze at Naomi, she turned to leave.

As she walked out of the lab, she saw Dexter leaning against the car door, staring blankly at the sky.

She walked over to him, but he didn’t notice.

“What are you thinking about?” She patted him on the shoulder

Dexter snapped back to reality, and his expression instantly returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.

A faint smile appeared on his face as he said, “Nothing much. Got lost in the beauty of the sky.”

Evangeline didn’t press further. As she opened the passenger door and got in, she said, “Let’s go home. You’ve been out for so long; Mom and Dad must be worried sick. Go back and let them know you’re safe.”

Dexter nodded, got into the car, and drove himself. Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

The car moved slowly along the road. An hour later, it entered a sprawling grand manor, larger than some parks.

The manor featured all kinds of rare and valuable plants, as well as rockeries and lakes.

The car drove through the manor for more than ten minutes before stopping in front of a luxurious villa.

A few bodyguards standing outside quickly came over to open the car door as they recognized the familiar vehicle.

“Welcome home, Ms. Castillo and Mr. Johnson.” The servants inside the villa also hurried out to greet the noise.

Evangeline and Dexter got out of the car and walked into the villa.

d

them upon hearing

It was already evening, and Bradley and Laura had just returned from work and were resting in the living room. Evangeline and Dexter walked into the living room.

“Dad, Mom, we’re back,” Evangeline said softly.

Bradley and Laura were both in their early forties, but they were well–preserved and looked like they were in their thirties. Bradley was tall and stern, exuding the authority of a man in power, while Laura was elegant and poised, clearly from a distinguished family.

Dexter sat directly on the sofa and pulled Evangeline to sit down beside him before handing her a mint from the table. Bradley and Laura kept their eyes on Dexter.

Seeing his laid–back demeanor, Laura felt a bit displeased and said, “Why can’t you act properly? You come home without even greeting your parents!”

Her words were reproachful, but her eyes were full of joy and affection. Having missed her son during his absence, she found him even more outstanding than before.

Bradley sternly said, “How could you forget your basic manners after just a short trip?”

Dexter replied indifferently, “I learned it from you.”

1/3

45 Sat, Aug 24

Chapter Jen

Bradley and Laura frowned.

Dexter contlined. “When Evangeline greeted you, you ignored her. Your manners aren’t that great either, so don’t lecture

His parents faces darkened a little. But they were reasonable people and knew they were in the wrong, so they didn’t scold Dester hither.

Laurs looked at Evangeline and smiled. “Evangeline, we ignored you just now because we were too happy. Both your father and I are very happy that you and Dexter returned.”

Evangeline responded softly, “I understand, Mom. You don’t need to explain. I don’t blame you.”

You are just too kind, which is why you always get bullied, Dexter snorted.

Laura scolded. You brat, you’re making it sound like we’ve bullied Evangeline.”

Dexter glanced at her and said, “I know you never beat or scolded her, but emotional neglect is still a form of bullying. If you had treated her better, she wouldn’t have returned to the Gallagher residence and suffered there.

Then in anger, he thought to himself, ‘And she wouldn’t have been separated from me for so long!

Bradley and Laura looked upset. Evangeline pinched Dexter’s arm, signaling him to stop talking. Then she said to Bradley and Laura, “Mom, Dad, don’t listen to Dexter. It was my own choice to go back to the Gallagher residence; it had nothing to do with anyone else.”

Bradley and Laura, having been given an out, didn’t pursue the matter further.

Bradley changed the topic and told Evangeline seriously, “You shouldn’t have hidden from us that you were participating in that foreign variety show. Even though you’re not our biological daughter, you’ve been formally adopted by us. Everything you say and do affects our family’s reputation.

“Your actions in the show ‘Jungle Survival‘ are relatively mild and won’t attract much criticism or cause any issues, but your actions in Xtreme Survival‘ could lead to endless trouble if scrutinized closely.”

The Johnson family’s special status, stemming from its cooperation with certain national departments, meant that any illegal activities from a family member could spell trouble.

Before Evangeline could respond, Dexter said, “The show was filmed abroad, and my sister adhered to the laws of that country. Are you planning to pursue cross–border convictions? Using Clusia’s laws to punish actions that were reasonable and legal in another country?”

Bradley said, “While it may not lead to prosecution, some people might seize the opportunity to stir up trouble and spread

rumors.”

Dexter dismissed it, saying, “That’s their problem. They’re the ones who should reflect on their behavior.”

Evangeline lowered her gaze and said, “If my actions have affected the Johnson family, I can sever ties with you and leave.

“The outside world knows I’m a Gallagher, so they won’t link my actions to the you. If anything, they’d associate me with the Gallagher family.”

Dexter was upset and said matter–of–factly, “If you leave, I’ll leave with you.”

Bradley’s face flushed and then turned pale. He felt deeply frustrated.

He couldn’t believe that in Dexter’s mind, they were actually less important than Evangeline.

Although Laura wasn’t pleased either, she softened her tone to calm her son’s emotions. “Alright, stop saying such foolish

14:45 Sat, Aug 24 D

Chapter 120

things. You two will always be part of this family. Whatever problems we face, we’ll face them together as a family. Why talk about leaving We don’t want Evangeline to participate in such competitions because we worry about her safety.

Dexter snorted.

Bradley said. “Now that you’re both back, stay home and don’t run off again.”

Dexter, you promised me that after this trip, you’d start learning about the family business”

Dexter said lazily, I can’t do it alone. I need Eva with me. Only then can I focus and learn.”

Bradley’s face turned livid as he said sternly. “You’re already twenty years old. It’s time for you to be independent. You can’t keep doing everything with your sister. You’re not conjoined twins Bradley couldn’t stand it anymore.

When Dexter first returned, he was deeply attached to Evangeline because they had relied on each other for everything while they were homeless. Back then, he wanted to do everything with her–eat, go out, and even sleep together. His parents had allowed it. The two of them even shared a room until the age of thirteen.

As they grew older, they had to sleep in separate rooms. Dexter insisted on living next door to Evangeline and even requested a door in the wall between their rooms so he could call out to her at night and receive a response before agreeing to sleep alone. With his request denied, he would sit outside Evangeline’s door all night, looking so pitiful that it broke his parents‘ hearts.

In the end, they had no choice but to agree.

When Evangeline returned to the Gallagher family a year ago, Dexter stopped clinging to her, and his parents thought he was finally becoming independent.

But then, Dexter had a statue of Evangeline made and placed in his room so he could sleep.

Now that Evangeline was back, he was attached to her again.

Bradley and Laura were at their wits‘ end over how to stop their son from being so clingy to his sister.