Chapter 154
Chapter 154:
Helena had squeezed in this quick call amidst her hectic schedule at work.
With no time to delve deeper with Alden, she briefly offered words of encouragement and rushed back to her interviews and articles.
Finally, her shift ended, and she was eager to get home to provide Alden some comfort. She knew she couldn’t do much, but her presence alone, she felt, might offer him some solace.
Still, Helena hadn’t seen it coming. She had just stepped out of the TV station when a large hand yanked her into a nearby corner.
Startled, she almost screamed, only to recognize the voice that softly intoned, “It’s me.” Could that be Alden?
Helena spun around, her eyes going wide.
Today, Alden wasn’t in his usual crisp suit but a casual hoodie and sweatpants. The hood was drawn tightly around his face, hiding it almost completely except for his eyes, which sparkled with slight amusement as they met hers.
“You—how did you p>
Helena was so taken aback that her words trailed off. With a small smile, Alden responded, “With the project out of the way, I finally have some time to come pick you up after work p>
How could he still have the mood to make jokes at a time like this? Helena was struggling to process it all.
In fact, Alden had come here at this time just to alleviate her concerns. He was keeping the project’s specifics under wraps for now, so he could only act untroubled to convince her of his well-being.
Yet, Helena misread his calm as a facade, concealing his true feelings of defeat and frustration.
She chose not to challenge him, to spare his pride.
Fearing recognition by his colleagues, Helena spoke little, quickly taking Alden’s hand to lead him away.
As they walked briskly along the street, Alden suddenly drew her close into his embrace when they reached a secluded alley.
Embarrassment washed over Helena, and she instinctively pulled back. “Stay close—someone’s following us,” Alden whispered sharply.
Helena recalled a similar scenario in the rain when he had used the same line. Determined not to be fooled again, she aimed a stomp at his foot.
Alden agilely stepped aside, avoiding her attempt. Without further discussion, he swiftly pulled her into the shadows of a corner.
“Stop p>
“Quiet now,” Alden interjected, his voice soft, his breath brushing against her ear.
They had squeezed into a tight space, standing much closer than they had been while walking.
Helena’s cheeks turned a deep red, but then Alden prompted her, “Look over there p>
Helena snapped back to attention and noticed a shadowy figure creeping along the path they had just taken.
“Is that… Betsey?” Helena exclaimed in shock.
Indeed, it was Betsey.
Fueled by a relentless curiosity, Betsey had been tracking Helena after work, eager to spot her husband. Upon witnessing a man meet Helena and noting their intimacy, Betsey concluded he must be Helena’s husband.
Something about him seemed familiar to her, spurring her to follow them relentlessly to this spot.
Yet, suddenly, the pair disappeared from her view.
Betsey, unwilling to let them slip away, walked around to search for them more intently, failing to notice her surroundings. She lost her balance and fell right into a construction pit.
The shrillness of Betsey’s scream almost coaxed a laugh from Helena. After pausing for a moment, Helena thought it best to dial emergency services to assist her overzealous follower, then continued on her way home with Alden.
Upon entering their home, Helena quickly sought refuge in Alden’s embrace.
She clung to his waist, her cheek pressed against his chest, offering him her silent support.
Alden caught her drift and murmured, “I’m done with the Wilson Group. There’s no need to worry. I’m alright p>
“Alright,” Helena responded with conviction, reassuring him. “No matter what comes, I’m here. We’ll tackle it together, and if need be, I can be the breadwinner p>
Her gaze was earnest and full of determination.
Alden found her spirit both endearing and heartwarming.
Without further words, he simply tightened his embrace, cherishing the moment of connection.
To Chadwick and Rylan, the news broadcast was all the confirmation they needed—Alden was out of the picture.
They raised their glasses in triumph, their home echoing with their smug delight.
“That useless deaf man was never a real threat,” said Chadwick, his lip curling in disdain.
Rylan chuckled as he tapped his glass against his father’s. “Exactly. Now that Alden’s been thrown out of the Wilson Group, we just have to wait for Grandma to kick the bucket. The company’s as good as ours p>