Chapter 158
Eddy saw that Blanche was truly angry now, and his tone softened. “Alright, I’ll just wait out here, then. Whenever you’re ready to forgive me, just let me in, okay?”
The bedroom door closed firmly. Blanche walked to the bed, pulled back the covers, and grabbed the whole bottle of prenatal medication, forcing the pills into her mouth.
Her face was cold as marble as she pressed her hands tightly against her abdomen.
Dr. Smith had told her she wouldn’t feel any symptoms, but that stabbing pain just now had been unbearable.
She spit out half a pill–maybe the medicine hadn’t kicked in yet.
Downstairs in the guest room.
“Mr.
smmons, I’ve received an offer from a research institution overseas to serve
their medical consultant,” Dr. Smith said. “I wanted to ask for your thoughts.”
“I won’t stand in the way of your career,” Eddy replied coolly, “but when I need you. here, you must return.”
Dr. Smith nodded.
A bodyguard slipped a check for a million dollars into Dr. Smith’s coat pocket.
Dr. Smith simply inclined his head and left with his family.
In the backseat of the car, Mrs. Smith clutched a bright red pill in her palm. At last, the anxiety that had been gnawing at her all night began to ease.
The night was heavy and black, the moon slowly giving way to sunrise.
Early that morning, Healy demanded to see Lara, so Eddy asked Lauren to take him
to the ballroom.
Eddy waited in the living room, sitting on the couch, while Blanche got ready upstairs.
The maids stood in a neat row in the master bedroom, each holding an evening gown or a box of jewelry.
Blanche sat at her vanity, eyes fixed on a livestream playing on her phone.
The Simmons Group and the Anderson Group were uniting through marriage, and it
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just so happened to be the heir’s birthday, making it a day of double celebration.
The Simmons Group was pulling out all the stops for the gala, turning it into the city’s most talked–about event.
Every local TV station and influencer had flocked to the entrance of the Summit Grand Hotel. The entire boulevard outside was lined with red carpet and banners, ready to welcome the city’s elite.
On the livestream, a reporter gasped in awe.
“Wow! I heard this party cost upwards of ten million. Only someone as devoted as Mr. Simmons would be this extravagant for his wife.”
Someone else scoffed, “Devoted? Please. Believe a man and you’re bound to get hurt. Didn’t I send you that clip from yesterday?”
Suddenly, the tone in the livestream chat turned from envy to gossip.
[Mrs. Simmons, what a tragedy.]
[Tragedy? I think she’s got it all! The house, the car, the kids… and a husband who almost never comes home.]
[Don’t talk nonsense. Mr. Simmons would never cheat on her! They’re my relationship goals!]
Blanche scrolled past the stream, and another one immediately popped up.
A fleet of black sedans sped down the city’s main avenue, each adorned with sparkling international flags, gliding through green lights and empty streets.
Blanche’s eyes brightened for a moment as she read the headline: the Global Computer Programming Challenge was about to begin, with dignitaries from around the world arriving in Novandria.
Back in the living room, Eddy’s phone rang.
“Mr. Simmons, the official Global Computer Challenge has been moved up,” his secretary said nervously. “The opening ceremony is today.”
“As president of the Novandria Chamber of Commerce and head of the Computer Association, your presence is essential.”
If you a
and give a word of encouragement to our team, it’ll help us attra new talent and connect with foreign officials. This could push The Simmons Group’s international business even further.” The secretary knew full well that Mrs. Simmons always came first for Eddy, and couldn’t help rambling on in hopes of
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persuading him.
“The ceremony will be at the sports center, just around the corner from the Summit Grand Hotel.”
Eddy called out to the maid who was about to leave. “How much longer will my wife
be?”
“Sir, she’s only just started her makeup. It’ll be at least two hours,” the maid replied.
“Alright. Let her know I’m attending an opening ceremony nearby. I’ll wait for her at the hotel,” Eddy said, folding his newspaper and heading out of the house.
As he stepped out into the garden, he felt an odd sensation and looked back, catching Blanche’s gaze as she stood by the window on the third floor. Their eyes met in silence.
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