Chapter 14
Chapter 14:
The live broadcast unraveled fast, and Eleanor was at the center of the mess.
Relief washed over Helena, quiet but heavy. Maybe Alden had seen it coming. Maybe that was why he warned her to stay out of it.
Before she could gather her thoughts, the director leaned in and pulled her aside. “You’re up. You’re replacing Eleanor p>
“Wait, what?” Helena asked, her eyes wide.
“I saw what you did with the script earlier. It was solid work. You’ve got this,” the director said, patting her on the shoulder. “Look around. These people need someone to turn this around p>
Helena raised her gaze. The entire crew was staring, eyes filled with nervous hope.
Nobody said it, but the pressure was obvious. If the segment failed, Laurence would be all over them. Bonuses would vanish. Reprimands would follow. And Helena? She was the backup anchor. This was exactly the moment she was supposed to step up.
Without another word, Helena gave a nod.
She stepped into view, smoothed her jacket, and faced the camera. With a calm tone, she blamed the earlier fiasco on a technical issue, then smoothly shifted the conversation to updates on the area’s redevelopment.
Though the segment only lasted three minutes, Helena delivered it like an expert—composed, steady, and clear.
At the TV station, the male anchor watching the feed gave a slight grin. He had been quietly fuming over Eleanor’s collapse on air, knowing it could drag him down too. Helena’s performance saved more than just the broadcast.
Once the segment was over, everyone who worked on it let out a shared breath of relief.
Applause broke out here and there. The director flashed a thumbs up her way.
It left Helena feeling a little embarrassed.
To her, she hadn’t done anything extraordinary. She just did what she was supposed to do.
With the work finally done, the team started packing up for the night. Late hours and remote locations didn’t mix well, and hailing a cab out here would be nearly impossible.
F𝖎rst 𝒂pp𝓮ared 𝒊n gⲁ𝅘𝓁𝗇𝑜ν𝖊𝗅⩼𝒸𝗈𝗺
Helena, who lived the farthest, had originally planned to ride back with Eleanor. But Eleanor had already curled up in the back seat and muttered something about a headache. She insisted on heading to the hospital.
Paul Torres, the driver, didn’t want to upset Eleanor, but he couldn’t bear to leave Helena behind as well.
Then, out of nowhere, a black Maybach pulled up nearby with its hazard lights blinking.
Helena turned toward it, just as the window rolled down. She spotted Xavier inside.
She turned to Paul and said quickly, “Don’t worry about me, Paul. Someone’s here to pick me up p>
From her pretend nap in the car, Eleanor slowly opened her eyes. One glance at the Maybach behind them, and jealousy flared hot in her chest.
There was no mistaking who was in the car. Dorian. Helena’s mysterious and filthy-rich backer.
She had already embarrassed herself on live TV, with Helena taking all the spotlight. To top it off, a Maybach waited at the curb with someone powerful inside to pick up Helena. That just wasn’t fair.
Helena approached the Maybach, her steps marked by hesitation.
Facing Alden felt like walking into a storm she wasn’t prepared for. Was he still angry with her for interfering? Had she just made things worse by going on-air to report the news?
Disappointment settled in fast as she pulled open the door and found the back seat empty.
She slipped inside and asked, “So this car belongs to Alden too?” Back when she and Alden went to get married at City Hall, Xavier had been driving an old Chevrolet.
Xavier’s chest tightened.
Moments after Helena had called, Alden had ordered him to rush to the development area to ensure her safety.
There hadn’t been time to switch to a cheaper vehicle before rushing off.
Trying to play it cool, he said, “A client lent it to me. I grabbed the keys and drove straight here p>
Even he found it hard to believe his own excuse.
Helena’s eyes shifted to the bundle of yellow roses in the back. “Let me guess. The client left those behind too p>
Seeing those particular flowers at a time like this tugged at her heart.
They were her favorite.
But they weren’t meant for her.
Her thoughts drifted back to a garden near her childhood home. It used to glow with yellow roses, lighting up her world.
Xavier didn’t know how to respond.
Alden had picked those roses for Helena himself. But after all that had happened, would she even believe that now?
With her gaze lowered, Helena let out a dry, humorless chuckle. “Appreciate the ride, Xavier. I’m guessing Mr. Wilson sent you here just to make sure I didn’t ruin his plans.” She wasn’t the type to fool herself.
It was obvious that Rylan’s plan had failed and Alden had already been three steps ahead of everyone.
Also, the police had told her that her call had been canceled by the project manager.
Alden’s plan was detailed and carefully thought out; however, he felt no need to share the specifics with anyone, particularly not with her, to avoid crossing any lines.
In reality, they were not actually married.
Deciding firmly, Helena typed out a text message and promptly sent it to Alden.