Chapter 177
Chapter 177:
The breaking news about Rylan’s car crash was broadcast on the Nine O’clock News. Helena was the one to report it live, but even after the cameras stopped rolling, she still hadn’t snapped out of her shock.
Was this a coincidence? News of Chadwick’s scandal had barely settled when word broke that Rylan had been in a serious car crash. It felt like every headline was targeting the Wilson Group.
Could it be just a coincidence, or the start of something bigger? Would Alden be caught up in it too? Or worse… had he been pulling the strings all along?
A mix of concern and doubt tugged at Helena whenever she thought about Alden.
While Helena sat lost in her thoughts, the door swung open, and Lucas strutted in, a wide grin plastered on his face. “Pack your bags, Ms. Ellis. You’re heading to Evrachia tomorrow p>
That caught her off guard. “Evrachia? What for? And how long am I staying p>
“You’re going to cover Priksas Fashion Week. It’ll last about a week, maybe more.” Opportunities like this didn’t come often in fashion reporting, and Lucas was clearly thrilled. “Antonio from Star Wish Investments specifically asked for you. Make us proud p>
With her focus still on the Wilson Group’s affairs, Helena was on the verge of refusing. However, hearing the name Star Wish Investments changed everything. If Alden had ties to them, this sudden assignment might be his way of getting her out of the picture.
Not wanting to arouse his suspicion, she forced a smile and nodded in agreement—for now.
Without another word, Lucas left, clearly pleased. Betsey didn’t wait a beat before tossing in a jab. “Must be nice having someone influential backing you. Great opportunities just land in your lap. The rest of us? We hustle nonstop and still get nothing p>
While Helena was busy figuring out how to dodge the overseas assignment, Betsey’s snide remark suddenly sparked an idea. Instead of letting the comment rattle her, she calmly pulled Betsey to a quiet spot and said, “If you’re that eager, I could let you take my place p>
“Are you serious?” Betsey’s face lit up, but then she eyed Helena warily. “You’d actually be that generous p>
Leaning in, Helena said, “Of course, there’s a catch. I need you to agree to something first p>
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Their conversation dropped to a near whisper as they edged closer. Without even blinking, Betsey agreed. The opportunity was too good to pass up. It was the most agreeable they’d ever been toward each other. Neither of them realized that Dario was nearby, quietly listening to every word from behind the shadows.
Once work wrapped up, Helena came home to the familiar sight of Alden in the kitchen. He was still pretending to be the doting husband, wearing an apron and placing a bowl of hot soup in front of her with a smile.
As soon as he saw Helena, Alden greeted her with a soft smile and told her to wash up before dinner.
Warm light filled the dining area, and the scent of simmering broth wrapped around her like a blanket, making everything feel too perfect to be real. Was the man across from her the same one she thought she knew? Which version of him could she trust?
Shaking herself out of the haze, Helena walked off to clean her hands without a word.
When she sat down at the table, she gathered her thoughts and made small talk with Alden between bites. She brought up the Evrachia trip casually, as though it was just something that came to mind.
Once she’d said everything, Helena lifted her eyes to Alden. “Do you think I should go p>
“Absolutely,” Alden replied with a relaxed tone. “It’s a great opportunity. You really should take it. And honestly, Priksas, Evrachia’s capital city, is stunning this time of year. You’ll get to enjoy the sights too p>
“That’s what I thought.” Helena smiled, then added, “And here’s something interesting—our manager said we can bring family this time. Since work hasn’t been too demanding for you lately, maybe you could come with me p>
There was a short pause. Alden looked like he was weighing it carefully.
Eventually, he answered, “Even though I’m no longer directly overseeing the development area, I’ve still got a lot of loose ends to tie up. This week just isn’t going to work p>
His refusal didn’t surprise Helena one bit.
Without pressing further, she kept quiet and focused on finishing her food.
That night, each was preoccupied with their own thoughts.
Alden was quietly deciding that once Helena came back from her trip, he’d come clean about everything. He wanted to leave the lies behind. No more pretending.
Helena, on the other hand, was convinced the collapse surrounding the Wilson family had Alden’s fingerprints all over it. Her sudden reassignment felt too convenient to be a coincidence. He was too calculating. Too deliberate. Perhaps she never truly knew the man she married.
By the time morning came, they were already on separate paths.
Alden, using the name Covey, was headed to the Wilson Group’s building to meet Chadwick. There, at the press event, he would finalize the contract for the overseas banking investment deal.
Helena, meanwhile, was off to the airport, bound for Evrachia.