Fernando took a punch to the face in a sneak attack, but he barely registered the pain before swinging his fist at Eddy’s jaw.
Fernando had military hand–to–hand training; Eddy was a black belt in taekwondo
Both men were experts.
Neither would back down–they launched into a fierce brawl.
“Stop it! That’s enough!”
It took a swarm of lab technicians and security guards to drag them apart and finally bring the chaos to a halt.
“Professor Reese, are you alright?” Blanche hurried over when she saw blood trickling from Fernando’s lip and quickly offered him a tissue.
Fernando reached for it, but Eddy snatched it away mid–air.
“Laney, I’m bleeding too,” he said, grabbing Blanche’s hand–tissue and all–and pulling her against him.
“You deserved it!” Blanche tried to yank free but couldn’t break his grip. “It’s your own fault for starting a fight!*
“Apologize to Professor Reese. Now.”
“Me? Apologize?” Eddy was so angry he nearly slapped a photo onto Fernando’s forehead. This man clearly knew Laney, yet pretended to be a stranger to get close to her. There was no way his intentions were pure.
“You attacked him without cause. Who else should apologize?” Blanche’s brow knitted, her anger obvious.
Eddy couldn’t stand to see her upset. “Alright, I’ll apologize.”
He turned to Fernando. “Sorry, Professor Reese. I thought you had designs on my wife.” His gaze was sharp as steel.
The nearby researchers started whispering among themselves.
Fernando’s jaw tensed, his fist clenching at his side. “Mr. Simmons, you shouldn’t think so little of me–or distrust your own wife. Our friendly connection is purely for research.”
Blanche flushed with anger and embarrassment. Only someone with a guilty mind
would see guilt in others. “I’m sorry, Professor Reese. My husband must have misunderstood. I’d better go.”
Fernando forced a smile and nodded, not wanting to make things harder for her.
But Eddy stepped closer, his voice dropping so only Fernando could hear. “You knew my wife before this. I will find out exactly why you pretended to be a stranger. Whatever you try, she’ll never give you a second glance.”
Fernando held his ground. He lowered his voice too, eyes shifting past Eddy to the conflicted Blanche. “You should be grateful. When I met her, her heart already belonged to you.”
She frowned because of Eddy; she worried because of Eddy. Whether she loved or resented anyone, it was always Eddy.
That realization stung more than Fernando cared to admit.
He looked Eddy straight in the eyes, stubbornly adding, “But there’s no guarantee the first one in is always the last. If the day comes when she’s no longer Mrs. Simmons-”
Eddy’s hand shot out, grabbing Fernando by the collar. Rage blazed in his dark eyes. “Don’t you dare.”
Everyone gasped. Blanche rushed over, trying to pry Eddy’s fingers loose. “Let go.”
“You’re out of line, Eddy.”
“If you keep this up, I’m done with you.” When Eddy wouldn’t listen, Blanche spun on
her heel and stormed out.
Eddy shoved Fernando away. “Find out what Professor Reese wants for compensation. Pay him.”
A bodyguard nodded and hurried off.
Eddy chased after Blanche, pulling her into his arms as he apologized, pleaded, and
tried to soothe her.
Through the glass, Fernando watched them–Eddy cradling Blanche, her anger melting as she leaned against him. Fernando’s heart hammered in his chest.
A bodyguard dropped a thick wad of cash on Fernando’s desk, along with a business card. “Professor Reese, if that’s not enough, contact me.”
“Money isn’t everything,” Felipa snapped when she caught the guard’s smug look. “Our Professor Reese is just as well–off-” Fernando quickly stopped her.
20-263
Chapter 108
The bodyguard snorted and strode out of the lab.
Outside, Eddy had already managed to calm Blanche. Fernando watched their entwined silhouettes disappear down the hallway. He slumped into his chair, overwhelmed by a hollow ache.
“Professor Reese, let me take you to the hospital for a checkup?” one of the researchers offered. “You and Mrs. Simmons are completely aboveboard. Eddy’s just being paranoid and throwing his weight around–it’s not right.”
“No need. Get back to work.” Fernando didn’t want them talking about Blanche at all, whether it was slander or not. Even a hint of gossip made him uncomfortable. “Felipa, Eddy must have found out about my connection with Laney because I made too much noise coming back this time. Lock down every bit of my old information you can. I don’t want anything leaking out.”
He couldn’t risk Laney’s exposure–not even the slightest chance.
Her world was nothing like his.
She was once a ghost in the digital underworld–a top–tier hacker, once known as the Red Queen.
20.26
