Chapter 62
“Eddy, my parents are flying in tonight. Can you come out to dinner with us? Even if it’s just for a little while?” Jeannette’s sweet, gentle voice made Blanche pause what she was doing.
Eddy’s expression softened. “Sure, I’ll join you all for dinner.”
“That’s wonderful, Eddy.”
But when Eddy stepped out, there was nobody waiting for him in the hallway.
After leaving the hospital, Blanche went straight back to work at the office. Not long after, Eddy arrived as well.
“Hey, are you feeling alright?” he asked, concern in his voice.
“I’m fine,” Blanche replied coolly.
“Look,” Eddy said, pulling out a photo and handing it to her. “It’s a picture of Lara.”
Blanche’s gaze landed on the birthmark at the back of Lara’s neck—a cluster of small petals. Her eyes darkened. “How is this possible?”
“Lara’s birthday is April 20th, 2021. It’s the exact day we lost our daughter,” Eddy said, his voice trembling with hope as he clasped Blanche’s hand. “Do you think it’s possible? Could our daughter have come back to us?”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Blanche pushed his hand away, picking up the photo for a closer look.
Eddy seemed oblivious to her reaction. “The first time I saw her, it was the birthmark that caught my attention. I just… I worried telling you would only bring you more pain.”
He took a breath. “Let’s adopt her. Please.”
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Blanche studied him, his unwavering gentleness and affection giving nothing away. She replied quietly, “Alright.”
“Let’s do it the way you suggested, at Healy’s birthday party-adopt Lara in front of all the Novandria elite.” For someone usually so reserved, a
rare flicker of warmth touched Eddy’s face.
Blanche nodded softly.
Eddy noticed she was still gazing at the photo, her eyes shining with unshed tears. He assumed she was thinking of their lost daughter, and set the photo down. “Head home after work, okay? I have a late meeting with the overseas team tonight. Don’t wait up.”
Blanche didn’t look at him.
Once the office door shut behind him, Blanche tore the photo in half and tossed the pieces in the trash.
Night fell. Blanche left the building, following the Rolls-Royce’s location on her phone straight to the Summit Grand Hotel, one of the Simmons Group’s flagship properties.
Seated in her Ferrari, she pulled out her laptop and hacked into the hotel’s security system. Soon she had a live feed of the VIP dining suite.
Her cool gaze locked onto Rhoda Doyle, a middle-aged woman wearing Blanche’s mother’s necklace-along with a designer dress her mother had left behind in haste years ago, now paraded around as a trophy.
After her mother took her away from Embermire, she never wanted to return. The family lawyer had handled the property transfer. Blanche never imagined Rhoda would swoop in and help herself to her mother’s things.
Blanche’s grip tightened around the steering wheel. Just then, Jeannette’s voice sounded in her earpiece.
Jeannette entered the private suite on Eddy’s arm. The manager, showing them in, addressed them as “Mr. and Mrs. Simmons.”
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Eddy didn’t correct him. Jeannette, chin high, instructed the manager, “Bring us your best dishes for my parents.”
The manager glanced at Eddy, who offered no objection, and left to carry out her request.
Of course, Blanche thought, the manager of the Summit Grand knows perfectly well who the real Mrs. Simmons is. But after five years, even Eddy’s inner circle seemed to accept Jeannette as part of the picture. The executives had grown used to seeing them together, and quietly ignored the truth.
“Mom, Dad, this is Eddy,” Jeannette announced.
Pollock stood and pulled Eddy into a seat. “Come on, son, join us!”
Blanche remembered when she and her mother first arrived in Novandria. Her mother had been so grateful to the Simmons family for helping them find a place to stay. She’d grabbed Eddy’s hand in excitement, but he’d immediately pulled away, claiming he was a germaphobe.
Back then, he wouldn’t let anyone touch him-except for her.
Now, not only was he sleeping with Jeannette, but he didn’t even flinch at Pollock’s touch.
Eddy sat down calmly, his face unreadable.
Jeannette jumped in, “Dad, Mom, you know your company’s move to Novandria wouldn’t have happened without Eddy. He arranged your office and even found you a home.”
“Thank you, son.” Pollock exchanged a meaningful glance with Rhoda, both of them visibly thrilled.
“Jeannette’s been in Novandria so many years, and it’s thanks to you that she’s been taken care of,” Pollock said with a smile. “You must really think of us as family to go to such lengths.”
Rhoda leaned forward, a pointed edge to her voice. “I hear Jeannette’s
pregnant again. So, when are you two getting married?” She put extra emphasis on the word “again.”
