Chapter 66
Blanche pulled her phone from her bag and dialed. “Since Eddy invited you all here, I’ll just call him right now.”
“Let’s have him tell me himself-who is really Mrs. Simmons, wife of the Simmons Group CEO?”
Jeannette watched, trembling with nerves as Blanche pressed the call
button.
Every argument with Blanche had ended badly for her; she was terrified. “No, no, that’s not necessary. We’ll just go.”
But the call connected.
“Hey, sweetheart?”
Eddy’s voice came through, sounding tired and lazy.
“Get to the Summit Grand Hotel’s VIP lounge right now,” Blanche said, her voice cool and sharp. “There are people here claiming to be your in-laws and your wife. They say you invited them for dinner.”
Everyone in the room held their breath, straining to catch every word.
Even Jeannette couldn’t help hoping for a miracle. After all, she was pregnant. Surely Eddy would care about that, wouldn’t he?
“Darling, who’s been spouting nonsense and making you upset? I’m in the middle of an international meeting; I really can’t get away. Please handle it for me, will you?” Eddy’s voice softened, as if he were speaking to her
alone.
“Gotta go, love you.”
The call ended, leaving the room in stunned silence.
Pollock and Rhoda stared at each other in disbelief. Jeannette nearly collapsed against them, her face drained of hope.
Chapter 66
Manager Francis, watching Blanche’s expression carefully, barked, “Well? What are you waiting for? Get them out of here-don’t let them sully Madam’s eyes!”
“Yes, sir!”
At his command, security swept in and ushered the three out of the hotel. “You can’t do this!”
“I really am Mr. Simmons’s guest!”
“Help-someone stop them! This is outrageous!”
Pollock and Rhoda were dragged out, lamenting their fate. Jeannette’s eyes filled with bitter tears as she glared back at Blanche, resentment etched in every feature.
With the spectacle over, the crowd dispersed.
Blanche suddenly caught sight of a tall figure in the thinning crowd. Her lips parted, ready to call out, but then she remembered where they were. This wasn’t the place. She forced herself to stay silent.
But he walked toward her anyway, his dark eyes shining with a thousand unspoken thoughts, reaching right into her heart.
He stopped in front of her, reached into his suit jacket, and handed her a
tissue.
“Mrs. Simmons, are you alright?”
Blanche hesitated, then took the tissue. Her eyes, already swollen and sore, turned bright red at his gentle concern.
Together, they headed into another private lounge. Inside, the room was filled with renowned academics, all of whom looked up in surprise as Fernando entered with a young woman.
Recognition dawned on one of them. “Professor Reese, how do you know
Chapter 66
Mrs. Simmons?”
Blanche glanced at Fernando. After being recruited by the Director-General, her very first assignment had been to block all electronic communication and help Fernando escape danger.
Fernando answered smoothly, “By chance, I ended up saving Mrs. Simmons twice.”
“Ah, what a coincidence, then,” another man remarked. “Our research institute is actually discussing a project with the Simmons Group. We were hoping to collaborate more closely.”
“I’ll handle the negotiations,” Fernando said bluntly, catching everyone off guard.
“Professor Reese, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself with such a minor matter,” an older gentleman protested.
But a younger colleague nudged him and grinned, “We’d be thrilled to have Professor Reese involved. Since he and Mrs. Simmons share such
a connection, I’m sure the talks will go even better.”
“Absolutely,” the others agreed, exchanging glances. “Mrs. Simmons, please, take a seat inside.”
Fernando led the way to the inner room, and Blanche followed close
behind.
