“You really picked yourself a fine daughter–in–law, didn’t you? Who would have guessed all of Eddy’s shares in The Simmons Group are under her name now.”
A deep, hearty laugh echoed from the other end of the line. “In that sense, he takes after me. Loyal to a fault.”
“It’s just a shame he’s fallen for such a naïve woman.”
“Unlike you–so clever, always changing your face, keeping yourself hidden right under Loraine’s nose.”
Serena practically glowed from the praise.
As soon as Blanche stepped out of the law office, a bodyguard reported her movements straight to Eddy.
“Sir, it was Serena, a commercial lawyer from Seaborn Legal Group,” the security chief said after his background check. “Shall we look into what services your wife requested?*
“No need,” Eddy replied, gazing out from the top floor of the tallest building in Novandria, looking down at the city below. “She probably wants to transfer some real estate to Healy as a birthday present. For Healy’s birthday party, make sure you coordinate with PR–make it grander this year. I want my wife to enjoy herself.” “As long as my wife doesn’t meet with Fernando, nothing else needs my attention. Just keep her safe.”
Eddy hung up and turned to the man across from him. “Go on.”
The detective dropped to his knees with a thud, trembling. “I’m sorry, Mr. Simmons.” “When I was investigating the Silverwood earthquake case, some dangerous people from the dark web found me. They tried to make me reveal who was behind it all–and what their motive was.”
“I swear, I didn’t say a word. But they hacked my phone and computer, and that’s how they found out about you.”
“It’s my fault your wife was kidnapped by that unknown group,” the detective. sobbed, voice breaking. “Sir, I never betrayed you. I swear it.”
“What did you find out?” Eddy’s tone was icy.
Realizing this was his only shot at redemption, the detective quickly replied, “I tracked down the person who took that photo years ago.”
“He recognized the man–it’s Fernando, one of the world’s top scientists. And the girl he marked as ‘mysterious‘ in the photo is actually your wife. From their conversation, he gathered that she could control missile signals.”
Eddy’s brow furrowed, his dark eyes cold and skeptical. He clearly didn’t buy it.
The detective himself sounded doubtful. “Sir, maybe the guy was just trying to scam me for money, or maybe he misheard back then–it was a long time ago. But he seemed so certain.”
“After all, it’s not exactly something you’d forget, someone who can control missile signals.
“He said that just two seconds before the earthquake, your wife appeared out of nowhere, dropped to her knees, and wailed at the building. Later, she sobbed to Professor Reese, blaming herself for everything–saying it was her fault people died.”
“The way she to
life and death hanging in the balance–it sounded like she and
Professor Reese had a very close relationship.”
Eddy’s chest tightened. He remembered the agony on Blanche’s face when she saw that old, faded photograph, and how composed she was in the kitchen last night, fingers flying over the keyboard in a way he’d never seen before.
Suddenly, Ingrid’s words echoed in his mind–Laney had left the old house on her own. The knots she’d tied in the sheets were a method he himself had taught her. The security cameras hadn’t recorded anything because their positions had been changed.
If Laney really was a tech genius, she could have pulled that off without breaking at
sweat.
A wave of unease washed over Eddy. It was the same darkness that had haunted him since Blanche left to study abroad eight years ago–a feeling he’d never shaken, not even lying beside her every night. He still had nightmares about the night Laney was taken by helicopter, waking in a cold sweat, clutching Blanche just to reassure himself she was still there.
He pulled out his phone and called the house manager. The new security cameras. in the kitchen were something he hadn’t had time to mention to Laney “end me last night’s kitchen footage.”
21:44
Chapter 139
Laney had spent two years overseas.
Whatever she was doing, wherever she was–Fernando would know.
Maybe they’d been together that whole time.
The thought made Eddy’s skin crawl.
He stood and strode toward the door. “Did the research institute send someone today to discuss the Al–designed drug collaboration?”
His secretary hurried over. “Yes, Mr. Simmons. Professor Reese brought his team personally–they’re in the business department right now.”
Eddy’s voice was cold. “Bring Fernando up here. Now.”
Chapter 140
Chapter 140
