Chapter 17
The moment Blanche saw Eddy, her expression changed and she instinctively tightened her grip on her bag.
Had he overheard anything just now?
But Eddy looked as calm as ever.
It was then she remembered-her office had been designed by Eddy himself, with the same soundproofing materials as the CEO’s suite. She’d never heard a thing from outside while sitting at her desk..
Relief washed over her.
Then, out of nowhere, Ingrid spoke up. “Eddy, what’s going on between you and Jeannette?”
Blanche’s face went pale.
“Me and Jeannette?” Eddy gave Ingrid a curious look, his expression unreadable.
Blanche quickly grabbed Ingrid’s hand, cutting in before the conversation could go any further.
“Ingrid-Kelvin’s affair with her, you already know about it, right?”
She forced a shaky smile. “Since you’re Jeannette’s distant cousin, shouldn’t you keep her in line?”
Ingrid looked momentarily confused, then caught Blanche’s anxious glance-the way her lips trembled and realized what was happening.
Blanche clearly didn’t want Eddy to know she was aware of the affair.
As a loyal friend, Ingrid jumped in to help cover for her.
“Come on, we’ve been best friends since preschool,” Ingrid said, feigning indignation as she shot Blanche a knowing look. “Whose side are you on, Eddy?”
Blanche finally managed to breathe. Eddy pulled her gently into his arms, his voice low and soothing against her ear. “Sweetheart, of course I’m on your side.”
“However you want to deal with Kelvin, it’s fine by me. I promise I won’t interfere.”
“Please, don’t be upset anymore, okay?”
He held her tightly, his words a mixture of comfort and pleading, as if nothing mattered more than her happiness.
Day after day, year after year.
Since they’d first met as teenagers, he had always treated her this way-cherishing her, gently pulling her out of the wreckage of her broken family, helping her survive the grief of losing her mother.
He had been the brightest part of her youth, the anchor that steadied her when everything else fell apart.
And yet, he betrayed her. Betrayed every promise they had ever made to each other.
She still couldn’t accept that he had fallen in love with someone else.
A wave of grief threatened to swallow Blanche whole. She pressed a trembling hand to her aching chest, her voice icy and hoarse as she forced the words out.
“Cut her off. End it completely. Make her leave and never see her again. Forget her.”
Her bloodshot eyes fixed on Eddy, that look of helpless pain stabbing straight through him.
Why did she seem so heartbroken? Why did it sound as if she was talking about him?
A flicker of panic crossed Eddy’s face, as if something precious was slipping away from him.
Blanche turned away from his worried gaze. “Can Kelvin do that?”
“Yes. Jeannette needs to leave Novandria. If I ever see her again, I’ll never forgive Kelvin. I mean it-I’ll make sure he regrets it every time.”
Ingrid’s sharp voice cut through the heavy silence.
“I promise Kelvin won’t have anything more to do with her. I’ll make sure she leaves Novandria.” Eddy’s voice was serious, his words meant only for Blanche. “As long as you’re happy, I’ll do whatever you ask.”
Blanche gave a noncommittal nod.
He had always kept his word with her.
Now, maybe she could finally have some peace.
Later, Eddy invited her out for dinner. Since Ingrid was there, they called Kelvin to join them.
A private room at an upscale restaurant.
Kelvin had pleaded with Ingrid for ages, and with Eddy adding his support, he was finally forgiven.
Blanche had no interest in their little performance. She excused herself and slipped out to the
restroom.
Ingrid followed her.
“Laney, is it true? Did Eddy really get involved with that woman?”
“He betrayed you?”
“How is that even possible?”
“Maybe it’s all just a misunderstanding?”
Not only Ingrid-Blanche knew that in Novandria, unless people had seen it with their own eyes, no one would ever believe Eddy could betray her.
Blanche splashed cold water on her face, trying to calm down, but as soon as she opened her mouth, a sob caught in her throat.
Seeing her so upset, Ingrid panicked and handed her a tissue, gently wiping away her tears.
“I saw it myself.”
Blanche couldn’t bring herself to go into detail-the pain was bad enough already. Even saying those four words took all the courage she had.
Ingrid gasped in shock. “How could he? How could he do this to you?”
“Laney, why didn’t you let me tear into him earlier?”
