Chapter 85
“Is that so, Mr. Simmons?”
As one of Novandria’s wealthiest men, Eddy was no stranger to the front page of every financial journal and business magazine. His reputation for doting on his wife was practically legendary, so the officers recognized him instantly.
Pollock and Rhoda craned their necks, eyes hopeful as they looked at Eddy. “Mr. Simmons, I know Laney is your wife, but you can’t cover up the truth. A woman as vindictive as her–just because of a falling out between us and her mother years ago–she tried to harm her own half–sister. You shouldn’t be protecting her.”
“My daughter and her baby are still fighting for their lives…”
Blanche saw the hesitation flicker across Eddy’s face. She took two shaky steps backward and collapsed onto the sofa, her face drained of color.
Then another voice echoed across the room.
“My daughter–in–law is a good woman. She would never do something like this!” Loraine entered with Vesta, having just heard the commotion. She strode in from the hallway, placing herself firmly between Blanche and the others, her words sharp and unwavering. “My daughter–in–law did not push anyone.”
She turned to her son. “Isn’t that right, Eddy?”
Eddy finally spoke. “My wife didn’t push anyone down the stairs. Please, investigate properly.”
Pollock and Rhoda’s faces fell at his response. They glared at Eddy, as if they could tear him apart on the spot.
At that moment, a nurse hurried in.
“Where are Jeannette’s family members?”
“Here–we’re right here!” Pollock and Rhoda shouted in unison.
“I’m very sorry, but we couldn’t save the baby.”
The news hit like a thunderbolt. Eddy’s face darkened, and he spoke in a low, commanding voice. “No matter the cost, save the mother.”
All eyes turned to him in shock. Loraine quickly explained, “She’s a distant relative of ours, after all.”
Blanche, who had been listening to the mother and son’s performance, could no
longer hold back. “Mother–in–law, she’s my father’s illegitimate daughter with another woman. How is she your distant relative?”
“Back then, after my mother found out my father had cheated, she brought me to Novandria and sought help from you. You berated my father, said a man like that deserved to be chased out of every town he set foot in. You know exactly what my mother and I went through.”
“Now, his illegitimate daughter is suddenly your distant relative? You arranged for her to be my son’s tutor, and now my son calls her ‘Mommy‘ instead of me?”
“And Rhoda–Jeannette’s mother–walks in and accuses me of pushing her daughter down the stairs out of jealousy, just because she thinks her daughter is about to take my place as Mrs. Simmons!”
“What exactly are you hiding from me?”
She turned to Eddy, tears streaking her red–rimmed eyes as she looked straight into his frightened, uncertain gaze. “Eddy, was Jeannette really Kelvin’s girlfriend? Or was she someone else to you?”
Her voice trembled as she forced out the words.
“Laney, you’ve got it all wrong, I’m just worried for Kelvin,” Eddy stammered, panic written all over his face.
“That’s right, Laney, Loraine jumped in quickly. “This is all Kelvin’s fault, He begged me to find Jeannette a position. She seemed like a nice girl, smart and polite, so I let her tutor Healy. I had no idea she was hiding her identity, corrupting Healy behind our backs.”
“Laney, you have to believe me and Eddy. He would never betray you.”
Watching Loraine and Eddy twist the truth, refusing to even acknowledge Jeannette and putting all the blame on her, Rhoda began to worry. With the baby gone, there was no guarantee the mother and son wouldn’t turn their backs on her too.
She couldn’t let that happen, When she heard Blanche’s wavering voice-“I believe…“–Rhoda’s nerves snapped.
Blanche was just like her late mother, Sheila: stubborn, proud, and never willing to swallow a single injustice. When she found out Pollock had cheated, Sheila had packed up and left that very night, never giving Pollock a chance to beg or explain.
If Blanche learned the truth, she’d be just as ruthless.
A sense of desperation took hold of Rhoda, and she blurted out, “My daughter is
Chapter 85
carrying Eddy’s child!”
