Chapter 99
Blanche reached out to take the file, but Eddy caught her hand and gently pulled her behind him. “There’s no need for Professor Reese to trouble himself. My wife is my responsibility–I’ll protect her,” he said firmly.
Just then, Hedwig hurried over.
“Hedwig, have you figured out who’s behind this?” Eddy asked.
Hedwig looked uneasy. “Bro, the rumors online have been completely wiped–whoever did it left no trace. Our people couldn’t find a single lead.”
As his words faded, a hush fell over the room. The guests began whispering among themselves, some clearly impressed by Fernando’s team’s efficiency, others taking the opportunity to jab at The Simmons Group.
“I thought The Simmons Group had the best IT team in Novandria?”
“Why haven’t they found anything, then?”
“You don’t get it. There’s always a higher wall between real experts.”
“We’re talking government–level researchers here, after all.”
Eddy’s jaw tightened, clearly agitated by the murmurs.
“Bro, maybe we should accept Professor Reese’s help. Catching whoever hurt Blanche matters most,” Hedwig suggested quietly.
Eddy hesitated, but finally relented and reached for the file.
But before he could take it, Fernando pulled the file back. “It seems Mr. Simmons’s team isn’t as effective as rumors claim. Perhaps I should see this through myself.”
“I am Laney’s husband. No one else is qualified to interfere,” Eddy replied icily.
“My ability to resolve this is not for you to question,” Fernando shot back. “Since you know who’s been slandering my wife, Professor Reese, hand over the file. I promise, once I catch them, I’ll show my gratitude.” He wrapped an arm possessively around Blanche as he spoke, making his claim clear.
Fernando’s eyes flashed coldly at the gesture, but after a moment, he extended the file to Eddy. “No need for thanks. But what exactly does Mr. Simmons plan to do with the person who slandered Mrs. Simmons?”
Eddy took the file, but Fernando didn’t let go right away. The two men’s grips
tightened.
20:33
“Obviously, I’ll go to the police,” Eddy said through clenched teeth. “I’ll see to it she loses everything.”
“Good. I hope you’re a man of your word, Fernando replied, finally releasing his hold.
The file slipped from Eddy’s grasp and fell open on the floor. A photograph, along with a name–Jeannette–was clearly visible.
A wave of surprise rippled through the crowd. “Who is that? She looks a little like Mrs. Simmons, doesn’t she?”
The guests, a collection of politicians, business leaders, and high–profile personalities, exchanged puzzled glances. No one recognized Jeannette.
Hedwig quickly stooped to pick up the report, flipping through the pages. “Bro, we tracked the poster’s IP address. It led us to Jeannette’s social media account.”
“This woman tried to push Blanche down the stairs at the hospital two days ago. Now she’s slandering her online. She’s absolutely vile!” Hedwig exclaimed, his anger fueled by what he’d heard from Loraine about the hospital incident.
“How could someone be so despicable!” The guests clamored. “Mr. Simmons, call the police! She needs to pay for this–make sure she loses everything!”
Blanche looked up at Eddy as he accepted the file from Hedwig. In that instant, she caught a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.
“Why aren’t you calling the police, Mr, Simmons?” Fernando pressed, his tone sharp. “Having second thoughts? There’s another interesting detail in this file.”
“Jeannette has a daughter, Clara. On Clara’s birth certificate, the father’s name is yours, Mr. Simmons.”
“Don’t you think Mrs. Simmons deserves an explanation?”
—
Before Eddy could respond, Blanche snatched the file from his hands and flipped to the last page. There it was the birth certificate. No matter how much she’d tried to prepare herself, seeing the names spelled out together–Eddy, Jeannette,
Clara–lined up in black and white hit her like a physical blow.
She looked up at Eddy’s stormy face, and all the anger she’d tried so hard to contain finally erupted. “Eddy, you betrayed me!”
