Chapter 97
Their eyes met, and Blanche stared at him in shock.
He’s been waiting for her all these years?
But Terrell’s mother only passed away five years ago, didn’t she?
And for all those five years, they hadn’t seen each other, not even once.
In Blanche’s mind, Fernando had always been someone to look up to–almost untouchable, like a figure from a higher realm. Yet now, with every bold, straightforward word he spoke, he was threatening to overload her brain.
“Fernando…” Blanche faltered, embarrassed and at a loss. “I’ve never planned on getting tied up in relationships.”
She honestly didn’t even know how to act around him anymore.
“So, you’re not interested in relationships… which means there’s no one else you like. That’s a pretty good chance for me, isn’t it?” Fernando reasoned, his tone matter–of–fact.
Blanche had always been beautiful and accomplished, and plenty of guys had pursued her before Eddy–some of them even more passionate than Fernando. But once she started dating Eddy, no one else dared get close.
It had just been so long since anyone had confessed their feelings to her with this much warmth and audacity. Maybe that’s why Fernando’s words struck a chord somewhere deep inside her.
“Seriously, Fernando, why can’t you understand what I’m saying?” Blanche frowned, her frustration plain as she looked at him.
Fernando hated to see her upset. He reached out and gently rested a big hand on her head. “Alright, I get it.”
“Strictly business, no personal stuff. Come help me in the lab tomorrow, okay?”
Until she was divorced from Eddy, he intended to stay right by her side. No one was going to swoop in and take her away.
“You’ve been away from your field for six years. A lot’s changed in software engineering–new tech, new tools. Felipa is the best white–hat hacker under the Director–General. She’s got all the latest skills you’ll need…”
“Deal! I’ll definitely be there tomorrow,” Blanche replied at once. Even though she’d
been gone for six years, she hadn’t stopped learning. She’d kept up with the most cutting–edge tech, but hadn’t had a chance to put it into practice. Working with Felipa promised to be an incredible opportunity to push herself further.
Seeing the spark of excitement in Blanche’s eyes, Fernando gently ran his hand through her hair, his gaze brimming with a tenderness he could barely contain.
Thank goodness he’d been smart enough to have the Director–General assign Felipa to him.
All around them, people were watching, their eyes darting between Blanche and Fernando.
Someone raised their phone, snapped a photo, and sent it to Eddy.
Another person forwarded it to Ingrid. Within minutes, headlines about “Mrs. Simmons‘ Affair” flooded the trending topics online.
Downstairs, in the main ballroom of the Summit Grand Hotel, a charity auction was underway.
Eddy and Hedwig sat front row, flipping through the auction catalog.
“Hey, isn’t today the day your wife gets discharged from the hospital? Why aren’t you picking her up? I thought you hated these events,” Hedwig teased, glancing at him. Usually, Eddy just had his assistant show up, buy a few things, and call it a day.
Eddy’s eyes softened as he looked toward the auction stage. “There’s something I want to buy.”
Hedwig followed his gaze. “So you want to get the Ocean Jewel for your wife? That necklace stands for unwavering love.”
“She’ll love it, I’m sure,” Hedwig said with a smile.
Just then, Eddy’s phone buzzed.
He glanced down.
[Mr. Simmons, looks like there’s something going on between your wife and Professor Reese.] Attached was a photo of Blanche and Fernando, gazing at each other a little too closely.
Eddy shot out of his seat, veins bulging on his forehead, blood boiling.
Without a second thought, he stormed out of Ballroom B, leaving the auction behind as he made his way to Ballroom A.
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Chapter 97
More messages kept coming in.
[Mrs. Simmons seems drunk–Professor Reese is helping her to the lounge.] Another photo: Blanche, unsteady, leaning against a sharply dressed man as he guided her away.
[Mrs. Simmons keeps saying she’s hot, tugging at Professor Reese’s shirt. Did someone slip her something?] This one showed the man pushing open the lounge door, Blanche clinging to his collar, looking unwell.
Eddy felt his blood rush to his head–he was about to explode. He burst into the lounge, just in time to see someone sprawled over Blanche.
He ripped the man off her, threw him to the floor, and launched a punch. “You bastard! How dare you touch my wife!”
MQUIET 79
Chapter 98
