Chapter 42
When Blanche was discharged, reporters swarmed the entire hospital.
Eddy and Loraine kept her shielded in the middle, flanked by bodyguards and house staff as they ushered her to the waiting car.
“Just a minor injury, and yet the matriarch herself comes to pick her up?” one reporter gossiped as they jostled for photos.
“Don’t treat her like any other socialite’s daughter-in-law. She’s Mrs.
Simmons-Mr. Simmons’ beloved wife. He treasures her like the rarest
porcelain. Even Loraine treats her as her own daughter.”
“Vincent’s betrayal was bad enough, but kidnapping Mr. Simmons’ wife? He must have a death wish. I wouldn’t want to imagine what’s coming for him,” another chimed in.
“They’ve already ruined his family’s business, drove the old man to his grave. After all those years as relatives, Mrs. Simmons made it out unscathed-surely they won’t push the Yates family to total ruin? There’s only one heir left,” someone protested.
“And rumor has it, Mr. Simmons himself was the first to cheat. Not just an affair-he’s even got an illegitimate child. His reputation’s just as tainted as Vincent’s. Who is he to destroy someone else’s life like this?”
“Watch your mouth! Keep talking like that and Simmons Group will sue you for slander.”
The reporter was shouted down by the others, but he stood his ground. His source was Miss Marshall, one of Eddy’s close confidantes-there was no way it was wrong.
“You’ll see for yourselves tomorrow at the memorial Mr. Simmons is holding for his mother-in-law.”
“Don’t
say
I didn’t warn you. I’m heading over early to snag the headline of the year.”
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Chapte
The crowd started to stir, intrigued by his conviction.
In the throng, a young boy tugged at his father’s sleeve. “Dad, is Aunt Blanche going to be okay?”
The man bent down and scooped up his son, Terrell, worry etched into his face from the rumors he’d overheard. In recent days, he’d learned a few things about Blanche from the Director-General.
She was planning to give up her current life and return to her old organization. Years ago, she’d left it all behind for Eddy.
Did Eddy really betray her? Was that why she’d made such a decision?
He thought of how frail she’d looked just now, catching only a glimpse from afar. It pained him deeply.
But he had his own orders now. His cover would soon be blown-he couldn’t risk any further contact with her.
“Your aunt is strong, Terrell. She’s capable and brave. I think… she’ll be alright,” he reassured his son, but it sounded like he was trying to convince himself.
Back at the estate, Blanche’s son Healy stood at the front door with the butler, waiting to welcome her home.
After everything she’d been through, her heart ached most for her child. She hurried forward and pulled Healy into a tight embrace.
“Mom, you’re squeezing me too hard,” Healy complained, squirming in her
arms.
Blanche let go immediately, her eyes glistening with tears as she stroked his cheek. “I’m sorry…”
Healy glanced past her at Eddy. “Dad, I’ve greeted Mom now. Can I go watch cartoons?”
His cold detached tone cut right through Blanche. Eddy gave a slight nod,
and Healy dashed off, not sparing her a backward glance.
He never used to act this way. If she so much as stumbled before, he’d rush over to help her up, blowing on her scrapes until she smiled again.
“Honey, I didn’t tell Healy about the kidnapping. I didn’t want to scare him,” Eddy said gently, steadying Blanche as he noticed the sadness in her
eyes.
She felt a little better hearing that. “I’m just tired,” she murmured.
“I’ll go upstairs with you. From now on, I’ll be by your side every day,” Eddy promised softly, reaching for her hand but stopping short.
Loraine appeared, beaming as she waved a tablet. “The Yates bankruptcy story’s been buried. Every headline is about you bringing Laney home from the hospital.”
Blanche ignored her, turning away and heading up the stairs.
She couldn’t help but overhear Loraine’s next words: “Tomorrow is Sheila’s memorial. We need to let the press in, get lots of pictures out there-make sure everyone forgets about the Yates family for good.”
Chapter
