Chapter 51
“Genius?” Eddy murmured under his breath.
“That’s right. Word is, his background is anything but ordinary, and his talent-well, that’s even more impressive. The Dean and the Fellows from Ivycrest University drop by now and then just to pay their respects,” the property owner said with a hint of pride.
They were wealthy, influential businesspeople, but even they couldn’t help but feel small in front of someone like Eddy, who came from old money. Yet, even Eddy’s kind paled in comparison to top-tier scientists and
military minds.
After all, the direction of the country was being shaped by brilliant minds in science, and men like Eddy were simply along for the ride.
It was a rare chance to chat with Eddy, and even rarer to bask in Fernando’s reflected glory. The property owner flashed a self-satisfied grin, relishing this fleeting moment to show off before a titan of industry.
“I’ll leave you and Mrs. Simmons to your privacy.”
Eddy nodded slightly, slipping an arm around Blanche’s shoulders. “Honey, weren’t you supposed to be at your mother’s wake? What brings you here?”
Blanche shrugged off his hand, a look of distaste on her face. “I came to ask if you found out who vandalized my mother’s urn. Instead, I found you here. I tracked you down using the Rolls-Royce’s GPS.”
“Shouldn’t you be at the office, dealing with that crisis overseas?”
“So why are you here?”
Eddy didn’t doubt a single word Blanche said.
Seeing the storm brewing in her eyes, the way she frowned and all but ignored him, he realized she was worried about him. “Sweetheart, my
Chapter 51
mother hasn’t been taking care of you the way she should. I thought since the house here in Northshire is sitting empty, I’d fix it up for you and Healy to move in.”
“I don’t want to live here-it’s a toxic place.” Blanche’s mind flashed back to Ingrid’s betrayal a few days ago, and the pain still lingered. “Remember the night the four of us had dinner? Ingrid left early, said she had something to do. I was worried, so I followed her-ended up here.”
Her expression didn’t change. “Do you know what I saw?”
“What did you see?” Eddy’s face grew more serious.
“Jeannette is living in the biggest villa in this whole neighborhood. She’s just a fresh college grad-how could she afford a place like that? And not just any place the best one. Must be Kelvin who bought it for her.” Blanche strolled out to the driveway, her steps long and determined. “I’m guessing Ingrid got wind of it that night, came here to catch her husband’s mistress in the act.”
“But instead of a confrontation, she and Jeannette seemed to get along just fine.”
“Strange, isn’t it?”
“I’ve been so swamped, I never got a chance to share this with her. But now that you’re here too, it’s the perfect time.” Blanche pulled out her phone, sent Ingrid the location, and recorded a voice message: “Kelvin didn’t get rid of Jeannette-she’s still here. Eddy and I will keep an eye on her for you. If you need revenge or answers, we’ve got your back. No one messes with my girls.”
She hit send, and almost instantly, Ingrid replied with a simple “OK.”
Blanche glanced up at the second-floor window, meeting Jeannette’s defiant stare through the glass. Her own eyes went cold. “I already gave her a chance to walk away from Kelvin. She refused. Sometimes, you have to be ruthless with women like her-it’s the only way they learn to be afraid.”
Eddy instinctively drifted closer, brushing a lock of hair from Blanche’s forehead, his gaze soft and full of affection. “No matter what you do, I’m with you.”
For a brief moment, Blanche’s heart fluttered.
Ingrid arrived soon after, flanked by a few society ladies. They stormed upstairs, and soon the air was filled with angry shouts and screams.
Blanche followed, her eyes scanning the room until she spotted a leather belt on the floor.
One of the women gasped, “Isn’t that the belt Mr. Simmons wore today at Mrs. Blanche’s mother’s memorial?”
