Chapter 79
She had a code name no one could crack: Cipher.
Long before he ever met her, he’d already fallen for her brilliance.
But when they finally met in person, it wasn’t just her mind that stunned him-it was the fierce, infectious energy of her youth, the unwavering fire in her eyes for her dreams. He was shaken to his core.
“When the day comes that you don’t have to wander the world and are finally called home to serve, I’ll already be a legend in my field,” he’d teased, cocky but supportive.
“See you at the top, senior,” she’d replied, eyes shining brighter than any
star.
But now-
Fernando’s gaze snapped to the giant screen, to the scene unfolding at the press conference. There she was, held tightly in Eddy’s embrace. The spark in her beautiful hazel eyes had faded, replaced by the raw mark of pain.
That pain was reflected in Eddy’s own shattered expression. He helped her to her feet, frantic hands scanning her for injuries. “Baby, where did you go?”
“Who hurt you?”
“Was it Fernando?”
“I swear, I won’t let him get away with it.”
Eddy’s voice, tight with worry and love, struck her heart like a blow.
Blanche clenched the chip in her palm, tears streaming down her cheeks-one after another.
Ten years ago, Eddy had rescued her from kidnappers.
Chapter 79
They’d been inseparable ever since.
Six years ago, he proposed to her live, on a global broadcast.
She dropped everything and ran back into his arms. They were married.
Five years ago, their daughter, Healy, was born. He’d given her everything he owned.
He made her believe she was his entire world.
Even now, he was still spinning dreams for her.
Blanche opened her hand to Eddy, and as his eyes widened in shock, she let the chip fall from her palm-like she was letting go of everything they’d ever shared.
She would shatter this illusion herself.
Her voice, thick with tears, sounded utterly broken-like she’d just lost her whole world.
“You tracked me without telling me?”
“You don’t trust me?”
“No, no, that’s not it, sweetheart.”
Eddy grabbed her arm, panicked, watching her red-rimmed eyes, her crumbling composure. He was desperate. “I was just worried about your safety-I couldn’t bear the thought of another kidnapping.”
“Everything I did was for you.”
He pulled her close, as if holding her tight enough could keep her from slipping away.
Eight years ago, after Blanche went abroad, she vanished without a trace. He’d searched everywhere, spared no expense, but she’d disappeared from the face of the earth.
Chapter 79
For two years, he survived on nothing but her monthly emails, clinging to every word, longing for her return.
He missed her so much that he proposed to her on a global broadcast, begging her to come back.
After she finally returned, he secretly had a chip implanted in the ruby necklace her mother had given her.
But even that wasn’t enough to soothe his fears. He threw himself into expanding The Simmons Group, buying up every form of transportation that could take someone out of Novandria-planes, trains, ships, all of it.
Now, knowing he controlled every possible way she could leave the city, Eddy forced himself to steady his racing heart. “I promise, I’ll never put a tracker on you again-not without your consent.”
“I keep my promises to you.”
“Please, don’t be mad at me, okay?”
Blanche pushed him away. “Was it you who arranged for Lara at the kindergarten?”
“She hurt Tia yesterday.”
“A child like that doesn’t deserve to be my daughter.”
“Even if she has the exact same birthmark as our Healy.”
Eddy, seeing her softened tone, pulled out a tissue and gently wiped her tears. “Okay, we won’t adopt her. Whatever you say, I’ll listen.”
“Whatever you want, I’ll support you.”
“I’ll take you home. This press conference has been dragging on forever, and honestly, it’s probably just another academic fraud with a fancy front. We shouldn’t waste our time listening to people like that.” He was
eager-almost desperate-to get her away.
Blanche didn’t want Eddy and Fernando to cross paths. Especially not
after Fernando’s confession.
But as she turned to leave, a voice called out behind her.
“Mrs. Simmons, you dropped your hair clip.” It was Fernando
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