Chapter 8
Eddy didn’t answer. Instead, he slammed his foot on the gas pedal.
The car shot down the road, racing straight to the club.
He was the first to stride into the private lounge, shoving the door open. Without a word, he grabbed Kelvin Anderson by the collar, landed a hard punch across his face, and tossed a pair of women’s underwear at him.
“What the hell did you do with my car yesterday?”
“How do you explain a woman’s underwear turning up in the back seat?”
Blanche arrived just as Kelvin was reeling from the blow. Their eyes met–his were wide with shock.
Kelvin instantly caught on, clutching his face and begging, “I messed up, man. I’m sorry.”
“Last night, I had too much to drink, got carried away, and, well, it just… happened in your car…”
Hearing that, Eddy released his grip and shoved Kelvin away.
Kelvin scrambled on hands and knees to Blanche’s side. “Blanche, I’m so sorry. Please, don’t misunderstand Eddy. I swear, I’ll never borrow his car again.”
The room was full, men and women lounging on sofas with their drinks. Every eye was now
fixed on Blanche.
She didn’t say a word.
Sensing her silence, Kelvin fumbled for his phone, pulling up a video. As he hit play, the room filled with the unmistakable sounds of heavy breathing and muffled moans.
People rolled their eyes or sneered in disgust.
“You idiot, how could you mess around in Eddy’s car? Don’t you know Blanche is a neat freak?”
“Blanche, don’t let him off the hook. Let Eddy teach him a lesson.”
Blanche’s lips tightened; she frowned. “That’s enough. Turn it off.”
Kelvin seized on her words like a lifeline. “So you forgive me, right?” He gripped her hand, but the moment Eddy’s gaze flicked over, Kelvin let go, pale and trembling.
Blanche gave a curt nod. Relief washed over Kelvin; he looked like he’d just dodged a firing squad.
There was an unspoken rule among their circle: cross Eddy, and Blanche would plead for leniency; but offend Blanche, and Eddy would make sure you regretted it. That’s why, even though Kelvin was Eddy’s closest friend, he’d never risk getting on Blanche’s bad side.
“Blanche, you’re a paragon of grace.”
Chapter 8
“Beauty and kindness, that’s our Blanche.”
The chorus of flattery made the rounds. Blanche managed a gentle smile.
She’d been with Eddy for ten years, and his friends had always treated her with respect. But as she thought about it, several companies were vying to partner with The Simmons Group on the new smart parking project. The Anderson Group’s offer wasn’t the best, but giving them the deal wouldn’t be the worst idea–considering Kelvin’s loyalty all these years, maybe this could be her parting gift.
Blanche looked at Eddy. “Healy’s waiting outside. I’ll go ahead.”
Before Eddy could reply, she slipped out of the room.
The family’s butler was already waiting by a new car.
“Where’s the van?”
“Sir had it sent off for scrap.”
“Mom, my toy’s still in there! My favorite Transformer!” Healy’s voice rose in protest. “Mom, I want my Transformer!”
Blanche sighed and turned back toward the lounge, intending to ask Eddy to call the garage and retrieve the toy from the old car.
The door was slightly ajar. As she reached for the handle, she heard laughter and jeering from
inside.
me on, what was on that video? Play it for us!”
in, let us have a peek!”
Just porn, no big deal,” Kelvin said, grinning as he pulled up the video again. The suggestive Moises filled the air. “Don’t tell me you guys have never seen this stuff.”
“Isn’t that clip from that famous movie? Blanche is so gullible.”
“If she’s that clueless, you know she must be no fun in bed. Poor Eddy, suffering all these years.” Kelvin laughed. “Honestly, she doesn’t hold a candle to our little Jeannette–looks, brains, you name it.”
Kelvin’s words struck Blanche like a slap in the face. So they’d all known about Eddy’s affair. They’d been hiding it from her, playing her for a fool–calling her “Blanche” and Jeannette “little Blanche,” all while laughing behind her back.
Eddy sat in the middle of the room, legs crossed, his face shrouded in shadow. He didn’t interrupt Kelvin, didn’t say a word to stop any of it. His silence was permission.
Blanche’s hand clamped down on the doorknob, her heart twisting in pain.
She couldn’t get the image out of her head: Jeannette’s slender body wrapped around Eddy, her lips brushing his ear, voice low and sultry. “Eddy, who do you like more–me or Blanche?”
10:31
Eddy said nothing, just let Jeannette press closer, their bodies entwined.
Jeannette laughed, triumphant. The answer was obvious.
It was one thing to see betrayal on a security camera. It was another to witness it firsthand.
Blanche’s heart felt like it was bleeding. Grief and fury threatened to overwhelm her. She shoved the door wide open and strode into the room.
“What are you doing?”
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