Chapter 27
Chapter 27:
After night had fully settled, a cool breeze swept through the air, accompanied by a steady drizzle of rain.
Helena stood, soaked and cold, rummaging through the dumpsters. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t find the necklace Frida had given her. She was drenched, covered in dirt, and felt utterly defeated. The only thing that broke her from her state of despair was the sudden ringing of her phone.
She remembered Alden had mentioned earlier that he would pick her up today.
Holding her phone, Helena hesitated. She had no idea how to explain any of this to Alden.
As she hesitated, the ringing stopped.
Just then, someone tall appeared beside her, holding an umbrella to shield her from the rain.
“Now you won’t even pick up when I call?” Alden asked, his voice calm and steady as he angled the umbrella to protect her.
With cheeks smudged and clothes caked in dirt, Helena’s face reflected nothing but defeat, her gaze downcast like a stray kitten that had lost its way.
Alden’s expression tightened. “What happened to you p>
“Don’t come near me! I’m a mess!” She stepped backward, but he moved forward and gently grasped her.
Looking into his eyes, Helena felt her nerves tighten further.
Trying to collect herself, she stumbled through an explanation about the missing necklace. Shame crept into every word, and soon her eyes began to shimmer.
“I honestly didn’t mean to lose it. I’ll find it, I swear. We should go—I’ll explain everything to Frida p>
Alden’s free hand remained firmly on her shoulder, and for a moment, something soft flickered in his eyes. “We’re not going anywhere tonight p>
Helena’s worry grew at his words. “We have to. Frida will be worried if we don’t show up p>
Leaning closer, Alden offered a quiet smile. “And don’t you think she will worry even more if she sees you looking like you’ve been through a war zone p>
Helena pressed her lips together.
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She was well aware of the differences between Alden and his family, and that made her even more determined not to give anyone an excuse to criticize him. But now, she had not only missed the gathering but also lost the necklace that Frida had given her.
Instead of going to the event, Alden drove her back to their home.
While on the road, he dialed Frida’s number.
Her warm, loving voice immediately filled the phone. “Den, are you two on your way p>
“I’m taking Helena home. She’s not feeling too great,” Alden replied calmly.
Frida didn’t sound disappointed at all. Instead, she laughed gently.
“Don’t tell me you wore her out last night? That blackout Shelley and I set up—was it helpful p>
Alden cleared his throat and gave a cautious glance at Helena. “Grandma, she’s sitting right beside me p>
The line went quiet for a moment, then Frida seemed to move the phone away as she spoke again.
“The signal’s terrible in the suburbs. I can barely hear a thing. You take care of Helena, and don’t worry about dinner. We’ll eat another time. I’m hanging up now p>
Once the call ended, Alden shifted his eyes toward Helena, who was seated quietly beside him.
Smudges still marked her cheeks, but the soft pink rising beneath the dirt made her oddly charming.
Noticing his gaze, she turned her head and stared out the window, feeling awkward.
It clicked then—last night’s power outage hadn’t been random. Frida and Shelley had planned it. But had Alden been in on it too?
But he hadn’t done anything inappropriate to her.
They’d simply shared a peaceful night.
A part of Helena felt grateful. Another part, however, was quietly disappointed.
Maybe Alden never once thought of their relationship as anything more than a deal. Still, the way they had shared warmth in the dark, the steady thump of their hearts, that memory lingered. She felt her cheeks grow warmer just thinking about it.
Alden’s voice broke through her thoughts. “You’re blushing. Thinking about last night, aren’t you?” he teased, his tone low and amused. She snapped back quickly, “Not at all. I was just thinking about how to deal with the thief p>
The camera at the entrance of the break room might not have captured Eleanor’s actions, so even if she called the police, Eleanor would never confess.
Alden didn’t waste time, saying, “Just give me the name p>
Helena refused with a shake of her head. “The necklace was in my care. It’s my responsibility. I’ll handle it p>
Eleanor had crossed the line too many times already. Helena could endure the damage, but she wouldn’t let that woman hurt the people who mattered to her.
At her villa, Frida ended the call and gave Shelley a nod to begin serving dinner. No need to wait on Alden.
Across the table, Chadwick Wilson muttered under his breath, “That ungrateful boy p>
Ever since Alden’s mother had left and Chadwick had started a new family, there had been nothing but distance between father and son. Then, after that particular incident, Alden treated both Chadwick and his stepmother, Maisie Wilson, like enemies.
Maisie leaned in with a cold smile. “I can understand him freezing me out, but to do this to his grandmother? After everything she’s done for him p>
Frida gave them both a sharp look. “That’s enough. Let the newlyweds enjoy themselves. I’ve waited long enough. Once there’s a great-grandchild, I’ll finally feel ready to hand over Wilson Group to Den p>
At those words, the other three people at the table all changed their expressions. Chadwick stiffened, Maisie’s smile dropped, and even Rylan looked visibly rattled. His hand curled into a tight fist beneath the tablecloth.
Breaking the silence, Rylan finally spoke, his voice quiet but bitter. “Grandma… is it true you gave that heirloom necklace to Alden’s wife p>