Chapter 16
Chapter 16:
A sudden, deafening ring blasted into Helena’s ear, a sharp pain shooting through her skull. Within moments, her cheek began to swell.
“You ruined my wedding and sabotaged the Marshall family’s business. You think marrying into the Wilson family actually means you’re powerful now?” Stacey’s laugh was sharp and cruel, laced with mockery as it echoed through the air.
After the wedding, her father had instructed her to apologize to Alden and Helena, believing it would help repair the situation and restore good relations with the Wilson family.
But when she saw Alden hadn’t shown up today, Stacey quickly decided to abandon her original plan.
“Aren’t you a weather anchor, Helena? That pretty little face must be important to you, isn’t it?” Stacey sneered, grabbing Helena by the chin. With her free hand, she pulled out a small knife.
The sight of it sent a chill down Helena’s spine, every muscle locking up in panic.
Stacey actually meant to slash her face.
Watching the fear drain the color from Helena’s face, Stacey looked pleased with herself. “One last chance. If you’re ready to admit that Alden is a deaf freak, then I’ll let you walk away p>
She believed that Alden must have gotten tired of Helena by now. He hadn’t shown up today, and it seemed like he didn’t even care.
If she could catch Helena saying something disgraceful about Alden, she’d have the perfect excuse to strip her of the Wilson family’s protection. Maybe she could even get Helena kicked out of the Wilson family. With a flick of her thumb, Stacey started recording, the phone aimed directly at Helena.
Helena didn’t speak. Her eyes flicked toward Gemma, silently begging for help. But Gemma wouldn’t meet her gaze. Instead, she hid behind Douglas, refusing to get involved.
Helena had clung to the hope that, no matter what, Gemma would still act like a mother. But what kind of parent just stood there, silently watching as her daughter was threatened with permanent scars? A wave of hopelessness crushed Helena’s resolve, leaving her entire body trembling. Yet, not a single word had left her lips.
Stacey’s irritation grew as she narrowed her eyes. “It’s just one sentence. Either say Alden’s a deaf freak, or don’t. What’s your decision p>
Helena locked eyes with her, jaw clenched tight. “That’s never going to happen,” she answered, her voice calm and firm.
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Even if it cost her everything, she wouldn’t use Alden’s hearing loss against him. That line had been drawn the moment they got married, and she had no intention of ever crossing it.
Stacey lifted the knife, and Helena instinctively squeezed her eyes shut.
Right before the blade could touch Helena’s face, a frantic servant called out from outside, “Mr. Wilson has arrived p>
In a moment of shock, the knife slipped from Stacey’s hand and clattered to the floor.
Alden entered the living room with a calm, measured pace. He didn’t speak, but the chill in his gaze cut through the room like a blade.
Helena blinked quickly, her mind racing in disbelief as the tall figure emerged from the light and walked toward her. Her breath hitched. Alden was actually here. Tears filled her eyes, too overwhelming to hold back any longer.
Alden didn’t speak a word as he stepped in front of Helena, positioning himself as a barrier. His hand grasped hers, strong and firm.
She instinctively tried to pull away, but Alden held on tighter this time, refusing to let her slip away.
The warmth of his touch gradually melted away the panic that had kept her frozen in place.
There was no need for Alden to utter a single word. His presence alone brought everything to a grinding halt. In that instant, Helena felt completely safe.
Alden’s cold, intense gaze swept across the room.
“So this is what I walk into, someone trying to force my wife into humiliating me?” said Alden, his tone calm, but each word cut deep.
Stacey’s mind raced. Why did this devil have to appear now?
Any trace of Stacey’s confidence vanished instantly as she stumbled over her words, her eyes darting nervously around the room. “Mr. Wilson, I… I wasn’t… You can ask Helena’s mother p>
Both Gemma and Douglas forced tight smiles as they moved to ease the tension.
“It was just a harmless joke,” Gemma said lightly. “Maybe you misheard p>
A soft laugh escaped Alden, but it lacked any trace of humor. His eyes narrowed as he spoke. “So, you think that even with a hearing aid, I still can’t tell when someone is being offensive p>
Before she could say more, Douglas pulled Gemma’s sleeve, silencing her immediately.
He quickly stepped forward, his voice unnaturally cheerful. “It’s really nothing to worry about, Mr. Wilson. We’re all family here. No need to make a big deal out of it. Stacey and Helena are cousins. They’ve always teased each other. Just old habits, that’s all p>
A coldness spread across Alden’s face, his smile stiff and laced with disdain. “Helena’s last name was Ellis before her marriage. She was never a part of your Simpson family p>
The atmosphere thickened. No one could ignore the threat in his words—or the icy sharpness in his gaze.