“Somebody, get these three out of here.” The command fell with a chill finality.
Just then, the property manager rushed in. “Mr. Simmons, Mrs. Simmons, this estate belongs to Mr. Anderson. We… we can’t have them removed.”
Eddy turned to his wife, his tone gentle and conciliatory. “Darling, Kelvin intends to bring Jeannette and her daughter back to the Andersons, to acknowledge them as family. He’s been my friend and brother for so many years–we owe him that much. Let’s just let bygones be bygones, all right?”
His wife’s voice was sharp. “And what about the birth certificate?”
Eddy raised a hand. One of the bodyguards immediately produced a pale green document from inside his jacket. “It’s all been taken care of. The Andersons will officially register Lara as one of their own soon.”
He really had thought of everything to keep up the charade.
Blanche, utterly disheartened, clutched her Ocean Jewel purse and strode to the front door. Then, a sudden mischievous spark lit her eyes. She turned back to Jeannette. “Since we’re all such old friends, and the Andersons are having a family reunion, I suppose we ought to send a rather spectacular gift.”
Eddy nodded, his expression unreadable. “You’re right, dear. Something truly memorable. What did you have in mind?”
“The bigger, the better,” Blanche replied coolly. “We wouldn’t want anyone doubting your sincerity.”
Kelvin was shouldering such a scandal for them–the least they could do was repay him handsomely.
“Let’s throw them the wedding of the century,” Blanche said, her eyes glinting coldly. “After all, she is my half–sister. The world already knows she’s pregnant and being forced to marry into a wealthy family. Her disgrace reflects on me, too.”
“We’ll handle the dowry as well.”
A chill ran down Jeannette’s spine as she absorbed Blanche’s words.
Blanche was determined to cement her marriage to Kelvin, shutting the door on any possibility that Jeannette might one day become Mrs. Simmons.
Damn it.
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Jeannette shot Eddy a desperate look, silently pleading for him to refuse.
“What’s the matter? Not willing?” Blanche turned her gaze on him. “I’ve already picked the date.”
Eddy’s dark eyes were fathomless, his presence suddenly suffocating. He drew Blanche’s hand into his, caressing it gently. “My wife doesn’t go out of her way for just anyone.”
Jeannette lowered her head. “I’m willing,” she murmured, though her fingernails dug so hard into her palm she broke the skin.
Eddy asked softly, “What date did you choose, love?”
“Eighteen days from now. On Healy’s birthday. Two celebrations on one day–what could be better?” Blanche replied, then strode over to Lara, her hand reaching for the child’s cheek.
Lara immediately slapped her hand away.
Eddy’s face darkened at Lara’s lack of manners.
“You do look so much like the daughter I lost,” Blanche said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “But you can’t be her, can you? You’ll never be the Simmons family’s heiress. Soon enough, though, you’ll be the Anderson family’s little princess.” Her tone turned mocking. “Once your mother marries Mr. Kelvin–no, not Mr. Kelvin anymore. You’ll have to call him Daddy.”
“When they’re married, you’ll be Miss Anderson. And then you can go to Healy’s school. Our families go way back, so you can call Healy by his first name, too.” As she spoke, Blanche reached into her purse and pulled out a birth certificate. She ripped it in two before everyone’s eyes. “But don’t forget your place. You’re not Clara, and you’ll never have the right to use my daughter’s name.”
Her gaze swept over Rhoda, Jeannette, and Lara, savoring the bitterness and humiliation in their eyes. Good, she thought. Let them burn.
“Darling, you’re not feeling well. Let’s get you home,” Eddy said, stepping forward to put an arm around Blanche.
She shook him off and swept out the door without a backward glance.
Eddy didn’t linger for another second. He hurried after her.
Watching her father leave with another woman, seeing how he tolerated someone who had struck her mother, seeing him abandon them all–Lara’s heart shattered. Tears welled up and rolled down her cheeks. Suddenly, she rushed forward, her
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Chapter 105
voice trembling with fury. “Mr. Kelvin isn’t my dad! My mom isn’t going to marry him. He—he’s my dad! My mom is supposed to marry him!”
