The moment Blanche saw Eddy, her eyes turned cold.
Before she could say a word, the McCarthy parents jumped right in with a question: She glanced nervously at Eddy, afraid he might say something that couldn’t be
taken back.
The McCarthys looked from one young person to the next, exchanging uncertain glances. Their own son was so reserved, he never gave anything away, and they wouldn’t get much from him either. So Mrs. McCarthy turned her gaze to Blanche. “Laney…”
But before Wilhelmina could finish her question, Ablett’s large, dry hands slid around Blanche’s slim waist, pulling her into his arms.
There was more than eight inches between their heights; he easily lifted her so her feet dangled, tiptoes barely brushing the floor, her eyes meeting his as he leaned in, his handsome, composed face drawing closer.
His lips hovered just a breath above hers.
His scent–subtle, like old books–mingled with the sweetness of her perfume.
He was waiting for her response.
She hesitated, then slipped her arms around his neck.
Their faces were so close now, they were almost touching.
Ablett’s grip on her waist tightened.
Plainclothes officers had already arrived, forming a solid wall around them.
Eddy’s eyes blazed with fury as he watched the woman he loved in another man’s
their kiss ignoring him, erasing his existence. The sight tore through his heart. “Let her go.”
arms,
He couldn’t see clearly, only the outline of their entwined bodies.
He clutched his chest, blood pounding in his ears, and suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Impossible!
His wife couldn’t love someone else; she would never kiss another man. She could
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υπαρισι τεν
only ever want him!
Unbidden, memories flooded his mind: their passionate nights, the way she looked at him–so hurt–when she saw him with Jeannette.
Was that how she had felt? Was this what heartbreak was?
The pain in his head grew so sharp it felt like it might explode.
The lead bodyguard hurried to take him away.
Wilhelmina’s heart fluttered at the sight of her son so hopelessly smitten; finally, no one could say her boy was clueless or wooden.
“Come on, let’s go find my mother and talk about the wedding. Even if we have to push them, they’re not leaving until they’re properly married.” Wilhelmina tugged Gaylord’s arm, glancing back every few steps at the young couple. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement.
But Gaylord’s gaze lingered on the bloodstain on the ground.
“That Mr. Simmons just now… It sounded like he knew our son and daughter–in–law. And there’s something going on between him and Laney.” Gaylord’s thick brows knitted together.
Wilhelmina Lopez just waved it off. “I heard from Patrick. That Mr. Simmons broke his wife’s heart, then lost her and went a little crazy looking for her.”
““Maybe he’s got the wrong person.”
“Maybe.” Gaylord nodded.
They strolled off, chatting cheerfully.
Blanche and Ablett hadn’t actually kissed; they’d just pressed their faces close together.
Ablett inhaled her sweet scent, his hands still firm around her waist, veins standing out on his forehead.
When he noticed his parents had left, he let her go and stepped back.
His heart hammered in his chest, his breathing unsteady–he was worried he’d scare her.
Blanche’s breath came fast; her mind was briefly blank.
It was supposed to be an act, nothing more, but she still felt a little shy, lowering her head to avoid Ablett’s gaze.
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She didn’t see the complex emotions flicker through his dark eyes.
After a moment, they both composed themselves. He moved a little closer.
“Were you looking for me?”
Ablett’s expression was calm and distant again, his tone cool.
“I heard from one of the housekeepers that you stayed by my side all night?” Blanche’s eyes flicked to his hands; her lower back tingled faintly, remembering how tightly he’d just held her.
“You were sick. It was my responsibility to take care of you.”
Ablett’s face remained impassive, but something shimmered in his dark eyes.
In the darkness, he’d watched over her for a long time–long enough for exhaustion to pull him into sleep.
When he woke, they were lying together.
He was holding her, and she was curled up in his arms.
That couldn’t happen again.
“Thank you, Director.”
Blanche gave him a small smile, and Ablett said nothing more.
They lingered by the shore for a while.
Far off, Leda clenched her long fingernails into her palm.
Someone stood behind her.
“Help me one more time.”
“You don’t have a chance, Leda.” The voice belonged to Ablett’s uncle, Patrick.
“I’ve never seen Ablett care about a woman like this. He’s fallen for her.”
“No!” Leda whirled on Patrick. “They’ve only been together a year, but I’ve kno Ablett for twenty years.”
“You don’t want them together either, do you? Otherwise, why would you tell me where to find him?”
Patrick’s eyes were shadowed. “That was my mother’s idea.”
“Just help me. One last time,” Leda pleaded. “If he still chooses her, I won’t interfere
again”
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Chapter 220
Patrick’s face barely moved. He just grunted an assent.
Soon, the assistants came looking for them, and Blanche and Ablett returned inside.
Ablett threw himself into work, while Blanche sat with her laptop, checking the base’s computer department project progress, searching for any trace of Kermit online, and discreetly investigating the bank’s internal staff.
