Chapter 18
Chapter 18:
The moment Alden stepped beyond the Simpson family’s estate, he noticed something slipping from her hand. Helena had quietly pulled her hand out of his.
Alden’s voice was low and steady as he said, “Come here p>
Rather than obey, Helena lowered her head and gave a subtle shake of her head, looking like a child who knew she’d done something wrong. Why did Alden always show up when she was at her absolute worst?
Without a word, Alden pulled Helena toward him, his fingers gently grasping her chin and tilting it upward.
A sharp pain twisted in his chest as his eyes fell on the swollen bruise on her cheek.
Clearly, whatever punishment he’d delivered to Stacey hadn’t been nearly enough.
Alden’s face softened just a little as he asked softly, “Does it hurt p>
Another shake of the head. Helena couldn’t meet his eyes.
Though Alden’s tone stayed calm, there was a hint of tenderness beneath it. “Stacey only asked for one sentence. Why didn’t you just say it p>
Humiliations and scorns had haunted him for years, ever since he became deaf.
However, Alden learned to live with them.
Helena’s face reddened beneath the intensity of his gaze. She turned her head, unable to meet his eyes any longer.
“I knew Stacey wanted to record my words. I wasn’t sure what for, but I knew it wouldn’t end well for you. I didn’t mean to overstep, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. It felt wrong p>
The words slipped out before she could stop them, and as soon as they did, regret flooded her. Alden’s cold reaction the last time they talked still lingered in her mind.
“Cross the line”—had broken something inside her, forcing the painful reality of their relationship into sharp clarity. As much as it stung, Helena reminded herself that their marriage had been merely a transaction. Keeping her distance was only fair.
A low chuckle caught her off guard. “I didn’t realize you were the type to hold a grudge p>
Helena looked up, meeting Alden’s gaze, and saw amusement sparkling in his eyes.
Your imagination begins with gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s﹒ç𝗈𝗺
What truly startled her, though, was the rare smile brightening his usually unreadable face.
For a moment, Helena could only blink, her heart racing wildly in her chest.
There was something disarming about Alden’s smile. It had the power to leave her breathless.
For an entire minute, as Helena stood there, just staring at him, the frustration she had been holding onto melted away.
The warmth in Alden’s expression slowly faded as he regained his composure. “I was the one who overstepped first today,” he said plainly. “I got involved in your family’s affairs. That’s on me, so now we’re even. But let’s not make this a regular thing p>
Without hesitation, Helena gave a quick nod, her face reddening with embarrassment. Desperate to mask her own reaction, she changed the topic. “What is the gift you would give the Simpson family p>
There was a hint of mystery in Alden’s reply. “Let’s just say it’s something they’ll remember for a very long time p>
Back inside the Simpson family’s estate, Stacey stood by the window. Watching Alden and Helena leave hand in hand felt like someone had driven a blade straight through her chest.
She had been so sure that Alden had lost all interest in Helena. He wasn’t even supposed to come. Yet not only had he shown up, but he had even defended her as if she meant something to him.
Rage simmering just beneath the surface, Stacey turned toward Gemma. “Didn’t you say Alden wouldn’t come?” she hissed.
A frown tugged at Gemma’s face. “I had no idea he’d show up.” Earlier, Helena had mentioned Alden was away on business and hadn’t returned in days.
Meanwhile, Douglas had a smug expression spread across his face. He had doubted the rumors that Alden had defended Helena at Stacey’s wedding.
However, after seeing it for himself, even he had to admit the truth. Alden genuinely cared about Helena.
Years of poor financial decisions had left Douglas drowning in debt, with failed investments swallowing tens of millions.
Even the recent sale of the development area to the Wilson family had only offered temporary relief. His hope now rested on the success of this marriage alliance, and with it, a shot at joining high-profit projects.
At that exact moment, simultaneous notifications popped up on both Douglas’s and Stacey’s phones.
All of their joint projects—more than a dozen contracts—had just been hit with regulatory shutdowns, all marked for immediate investigation.
Douglas stared at the screen in disbelief. “Stacey! Call your father. Now. Find out what’s going on p>
Before Stacey could move, her phone started ringing. Gerald was already calling.
The moment she picked up, his furious voice exploded through the speaker. “Stacey! I told you to apologize. What the hell did you do this time p>
Frozen in place, Stacey opened her mouth to respond, but all she could offer was stunned silence. How had things unraveled so quickly? All she’d done was give Helena a hard time. How could it be that all their projects were suddenly brought to a halt?
In a hushed, shaken voice, she finally asked, “Dad, why is the Wilson family being so cruel p>
Gerald was frustrated. “You complete fool! Ever since the wedding, we’ve been targeted by him. This isn’t just one or two projects—it’s everything! He’s tearing us apart, piece by piece. It’s over. We’re finished p>
Gerald was forced to confront a terrifying reality—the man behind all of this wasn’t just powerful. He was methodical, merciless, and far more dangerous than any other member of the Wilson family Gerald had ever encountered.