Chapter 69
“Ma’am, I really can’t explain this to Mr. Simmons!”
“A string of bad debts, leeches bleeding us dry-get rid of them. I don’t know if Mr. Simmons will be pleased, but I’m certain the board will be.”
The head of business hesitated, unable to refuse Blanche outright. He forced a reply, “Understood, Mrs. Simmons,” and hung up. But the moment the call ended, he dialed Eddy.
At that moment, Eddy was still standing outside the apartment door. Blanche’s luggage had just been delivered from the old house by the security team. While knocking, Eddy answered the business manager’s call.
“Mr. Simmons, Mrs. Simmons just pulled our investment from one firm and canceled two partnerships,” the manager began, but Eddy was already losing patience.
“If she says it, it’s as good as if I said it. Do as she asks.” He hung up. Just then, Blanche opened the door.
“Honey, I brought your suitcases over,” Eddy said, attempting to wheel them inside. Blanche didn’t budge, blocking the way.
He had no choice but to leave the luggage at her feet. “I’ll have two security guards stay outside the door, so you can rest easy. I’m heading back-Healy hasn’t seen us all day, and I don’t want him acting up.”
The only answer he got was the resounding slam of the door.
The next morning, Blanche’s visitors were the last people she expected-Hedwig and Tia.
Hedwig’s eyes were red and swollen from crying; Tia’s cheeks bore fresh scratch marks.
“Plan
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have a dad. You have to stand up for her!”
Blanche didn’t have much patience for Hedwig, but Tia was different. She’d watched Tia grow up, and after losing her own daughter, it was Tia’s presence that had eased the ache in her heart. Blanche knelt down and gently touched Tia’s face, her voice softening. “Tia, does it hurt?”
Tia shook her head obediently, but her eyes brimmed with tears.
“Tell your uncle who hurt you. He won’t let them get away with it,” Blanche said, though her mind was already on the press conference she had to attend for Fernando later that day.
But Hedwig clutched her hand, desperate. “Blanche, my brother never came home last night-he’s not answering his phone!”
Blanche pried her hand free. “Send the bodyguards to look for him. They’ll find him.”
She strode toward the elevator. Only Eddy knew she’d moved here, and it was Eddy who’d put Hedwig up to this-bringing Tia along to keep Blanche from attending the press conference.
Suddenly, Tia burst into tears. “Mommy, I don’t want to go to school. Lara will hit me again.”
Blanche stopped in her tracks and turned back to face her. “Lara? Which
Lara?”
Seeing Blanche’s interest piqued, Hedwig led Tia forward. “Just arrived yesterday afternoon-a new kid. I heard her parents are a big deal. No one at school dares cross her.”
“Aunt Blanche, she slapped me so hard. It really hurt,” Tia sobbed. “Healy even helped her. I don’t want to go to school anymore…”
Blanche’s eyes darkened. “We’re going to the school. I want to see who this girl’s parents are, to think they can treat a Simmons like this.”
Hedwig couldn’t help but feel pleased with herself-she’d solved Tia’s
Chapter 69
problem and done her brother a huge favor.
A red Ferrari screeched to a stop in front of the preschool. Tia pointed to a luxury SUV in the parking lot. Lara stepped out, trailed by a small entourage-driver, nanny, and a third adult-all decked out in designer labels. She was a far cry from the shy girl Blanche remembered from the orphanage.
Blanche’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. She hadn’t even set foot in the Simmons home, and this girl was already throwing her weight around-and leading Healy astray!
Blanche and Hedwig led Tia into the school, following Lara inside. As soon as Blanche entered, Lara’s eyes lit up in delight. She ran over, throwing her arms around Blanche’s leg and shouting, “Mommy, did you come to see me?”
Everyone gasped. Blanche pried Lara off and turned to the headmistress. “Expel this child,” she said coldly.
