He’s angry!
“Is Professor Reese still downstairs? Maybe he found it–it’s possible.” Even though the hotel’s security footage had been hacked, all it showed was them leaving the lounge; nothing captured them coming out of the kitchenette.
Jeannette’s explanation sounded plausible–at least on the surface.
Eddy’s long, elegant fingers traced the curve of his thigh, his touch cool as it hovered along the slit of her dress. The contrast of his pale skin and the veins standing out on his wrist sent a shiver through the air. His breathing grew shallow, hot and dangerous, charging the room with tension.
“How would he have found your bracelet?” His tone was skeptical.
Blanche caught the desire burning in his eyes. She placed her hand firmly over his, trying to still his restless fingers. Frowning, she muttered in annoyance, “Aren’t you the one who insisted I go clear things up with him because you were jealous?”
The words had barely left her lips when Eddy’s eyes curved into a smile. He wrapped his arms around her waist and swept her up as if she weighed nothing. “Since when are you so obedient, darling?”
Startled, Blanche curled up against his chest, but relief washed over her. He
believed her.
Still, she kept up her defiant front, “Shouldn’t you be happy I’m listening to you?”
ו”
get it–I was wrong. I won’t get jealous over nothing again.” Eddy gently laid her on the bed and held her hand. “I’ll make sure things stay quiet downstairs so you can.
rest.”
“I’ll apologize to Professor Reese too.”
“Mm,” Blanche murmured, turning away and feigning sleep, her eyes drifting closed. Eddy tucked her in, sitting by her side for a long time before finally leaving on tiptoe. when a friend sent the housekeeper to fetch him.
Blanche slowly sat up, remembering with a jolt that she’d left her mini laptop in the kitchen in her rush. Quickly, she called Felipa, needing to coordinate their stories with Fernando too–anything to avoid a slip–up.
Thinking of Fernando brought back memories of that moment in the bunker–his
Chapter 135
confession, the charged atmosphere. The memory of how both Fernando and Eddy had touched her ankle made her toes curl.
She sucked in a shaky breath, unable to tell whether the flutter in her chest was for Fernando or Eddy, or just a reflex her body couldn’t help.
Still, she knew she had to be clear with Fernando: she wasn’t going to fall in love again, and she didn’t plan on sharing her life with anyone.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed–a message popped up.
It was Ingrid, sending a photo.
Laney, I’ve looked into it.
Do you know why Eddy chose you instead of me back then?
And how The Simmons Group survived that financial crisis?
Laney, I can’t stand seeing you kept in the dark!
He never really loved you!
Blanche tapped the photo open. The words “LIFE INSURANCE POLICY” jumped out at her in bold letters. The policyholder’s name–Sheila Harvey–made her heart
clench tight.
Another photo arrived.
Take a look. Eddy is listed as the beneficiary!
He’s been lying to you from the very start, Laney!
Blanche’s breath caught; her heart skipped a beat, then twisted with a deep, relentless ache.
She pressed a hand to her chest, her face draining of color. Barefoot, she rushed out the door, stumbling down the stairs. “Eddy?” she called out, desperate and
shaking.
“Ma’am, Mr. Harvey’s driven out,” a staff member answered.
“Blanche, don’t worry. He just had a bottle of brandy, but Eddy can hold his liquor, and the butler is driving. Someone mistook her panic for concern over Eddy’s safety.
Blanche didn’t even glance at them. She pushed past, staggering out o straight into the warmth of someone’s arms.
_house,
“Laney, where are you going? You look awful. You need to rest,” Fernando said gently, concern etched on his face.
Blanche clung to the front of his shirt, summoning all her strength. “Take me to Eddy. Please–just take me to him.”
“Alright, don’t worry!” Fernando couldn’t refuse her. Seeing she could barely walk, he lifted her into his arms and carried her out to the car, settling her in the passenger
seat.
The sedan sped through the city, following Blanche’s directions, until they pulled up outside another villa.
Inside, Eddy had already stormed in, his desire for Blanche simmering from earlier, now fueled by alcohol and threatening to boil over.
He barely made it through the door before pressing Jeannette up against the hallway cabinet, unable to contain himself a moment longer.
Blanche saw it all through the open doorway–her eyes stung with tears, her heart felt as if it were being torn apart. She stumbled out of the car and down the path, her voice breaking. Her mother would never agree to sign those papers. “Eddy, what did you do to my mother?”
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