Blanche realized that Eddy had been doggedly investigating every detail of the helicopter explosion. She was grateful she’d taken her mother’s advice and never told him about being recruited by the Director General.
When she first arrived in Novandria, Eddy had donated an entire building to Ivycrest University for her sake. At just seventeen, Blanche was admitted by special exception, instantly becoming Eddy’s fellow alum.
Everyone assumed she had gotten in through connections. The scorn she felt from others was palpable.
Determined to prove her worth, she signed up for a prestigious computer science competition and walked away with first prize.
That victory caught the attention of the Director–General, who handpicked her for recruitment and quietly concealed her true achievements.
Originally, she’d meant to tell Eddy everything.
But her mother had stopped her.
Her mother explained that the only reason they’d managed to extricate themselves so cleanly after Pollock’s betrayal was because they kept critical matters tightly under wraps. The more important the secret, the fewer people should know.
Her mother never included Pollock in any major business decisions.
She’d spoken those words with calm detachment, but the pain in her eyes was unmistakable–the pain of betrayal that cut to the bone.
Now Blanche stood before the towering twin buildings. The one on the left was donated by Eddy for her nine years ago; the one on the right, for Jeannette just four years back.
Staring at the two identical structures–one old, one new–standing side by side and collectively called the Twin Towers, Blanche felt a surge of disgust.
She made her way to the president’s office, intent on reclaiming the building her husband had donated.
“Mrs. Simmons, you’re one of our most esteemed honorary alumni. How can you. make such a rash decision? Am I supposed to tear down the building and hand it back to you? People would laugh if word got out.” The university president’s to was stern and more than a little annoyed.
21.45
Blanche met his gaze, unflinching. “My husband donated that building, but it’s our joint property. I have every right to reclaim it.”
The president’s expression shifted, caught off guard.
He
e remembered that when they’d accepted the first building, Blanche’s academic record had been stellar–good enough for an automatic admission. She’d only missed the entry exam because family circumstances forced her to take a year off. He’d never regretted admitting her; after all, she’d later been sent abroad on a government scholarship, bringing prestige to Ivycrest.
The second building, though, had been another story.
Truthfully, he hadn’t wanted to accept it. But they’d opened up slots for talented students that year, hoping to diversify Ivycrest’s programs and maybe even make a splash in the sports world.
“Jeannette has performed well in gymnastics, even won some awards,” the president ventured, alluding to the rumors he’d heard. “Besides, she’s your sister.”
“If we take back that building, she’ll likely be expelled from Ivycrest.”
Novandria wasn’t a big city. And with Eddy’s ongoing feud with Professor Reese at the research institute, things could get complicated. The president couldn’t afford to get caught in the crossfire.
Eddy and Blanche were always in the city’s rumor mill. No matter how hard he tried to avoid gossip, he still heard more than he wanted.
Just then, the office door opened. Eddy strode in.
Blanche frowned slightly at the sight of him, her gaze turning icy. “I want you to expel her.”
Eddy went straight to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “Honey, calm down.”
The president turned to Eddy, his voice rising in frustration. “Mr. Simmons, thank goodness you’re here! Mrs. Simmons wants to take back the second building you donated. In all my years, I’ve never seen someone try to reclaim a donated building. You have to reason with her!”
He was visibly shaken.
Eddy’s large hand gently massaged Blanche’s shoulder, his tone soothing. “Hu the second building-”
Blanche pushed him away. “Was it for Kelvin?”
21:45
Grapier!
After hearing so many lies, she could lie just as smoothly herself.
She let out a bitter, incredulous laugh, fixing him with a cold, unwavering stare. “Her mother ruined my mother’s marriage. Her father kidnapped me. She’s corrupted my son. And you donated a building so she could get into Ivycrest? Eddy, do you even have a conscience?”
C
