Chapter 183
Chapter 183:
That thought made Helena scoff at herself. It was ridiculous, really. No one had forced her to care this much. She had handed Alden the benefit of her doubt again and again, and even now, she still tried to protect him.
Dario wasn’t fooled for a second. He saw straight through her calm facade, and his voice rose with frustration. “Why are you still defending him? Alden runs Star Wish Investments. He kept that secret from you—something massive. It doesn’t matter what his excuse is. He shattered the trust your marriage was built on p>
Helena didn’t miss the intensity in his voice, but it didn’t sit right with her. Could it be that Dario was fishing for details about Alden? Then again, he might’ve had links to Cheson’s business circles and was simply looking for a chance to tarnish Alden’s name.
With everything that had happened lately, Helena found herself second-guessing everyone’s motives.
After a long, thoughtful glance at Dario, she simply muttered something about needing to take care of a personal matter, then stepped out of the car without saying anything more.
At the hospital, Valeria was on her lunch break when she noticed a news update flash across the TV in the break room.
On screen, the news anchor couldn’t stop praising Alden—calling him a business genius, applauding his sharp mind and strategy, saying he’d taken back Wilson Group without lifting a finger. A photo of Alden filled the screen. It was just a regular shot, yet he somehow looked striking and refined, quietly magnetic.
None of that impressed Valeria in the slightest. Helena was all she could think about, and the rising anger in her chest made her hands tremble. In a slip of frustration, she spilled coffee all over herself. Ignoring the mess completely, Valeria snatched up her phone to dial Helena.
A moment later, she hesitated, wondering if Helena was too upset to talk. Not wanting to intrude, Valeria let out a frustrated sigh and, instead, scrolled through her phone to unblock Dorian.
“You need to tell me what’s going on! What is Alden doing? Why did he keep everything from Helena? Don’t act clueless—you knew from the beginning, didn’t you? You’re just as guilty p>
The second Dorian answered, Valeria launched into a barrage of questions.
gⲁ𝗅𝓝𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀.𝗰0𝗺 – Next part
As it turned out, Dorian had been expecting the call. Instead of getting upset, he brushed off the scolding with ease and let out a light laugh.
“Come on, Valeria. I hate getting into deep talks over the phone. If you’re serious about wanting answers, meet me—same bar as last time p>
“You—” Valeria barely managed to get a word in before he cut her off purposefully.
“You remember the place. I know you do p>
At that very moment, Helena had already made it home. Feeling drained, she headed to the fridge, hoping a cold drink might clear her head.
When she opened the fridge, her eyes immediately landed on a row of neatly stacked glass containers. Each one held a full meal, prepped and portioned, clearly made with care. They were made by Alden himself.
The sight alone sent a sharp ache through her chest. Could someone who saw her as nothing more than a pawn really go to this kind of trouble?
With one hand resting on a container, Helena stayed still for a few seconds, quietly deciding to give Alden another chance. When he returned, she’d hear him out.
But before Alden could return, Helena’s phone buzzed with a call from the nursing home. She only knew one person there—her father, who hadn’t woken up since his accident. The sight of the caller ID sent a cold rush through her chest. But—
“Ms. Ellis, fantastic news! Your father just woke up p>
The doctor’s thrilled voice burst through the line the second Helena picked up. Without pausing to think, Helena bolted from her home. Her feet moved before her mind could catch up. In her rush, she forgot to grab her coat.
Only when she stepped into the night did she notice how late it had gotten. With no cabs in sight, her nerves began to spike—until a nearby car honked and flashed its headlights her way. Startled, she looked up and caught sight of Dario behind the wheel, the window rolling down to reveal his face.
“Going to see your dad? Come on, get in!” Dario called out to her.
Questions rushed through her mind, but she pushed them aside. Getting to the nursing home was all that mattered. Silently, she slid into the passenger seat. As they drove, her nerves slowly calmed, and her thoughts found their way back to Alden.
Her father had come back to her. The one thing she wanted next was to tell Alden. But he…
Helena glanced at her phone. Her inbox was still empty.
Hours had passed since their last conversation, yet he hadn’t texted. Not even once.
With a quiet sigh, Helena powered off her phone and shut her eyes.
She didn’t see it when Alden’s vehicle passed within inches, neither one spotting the other in the dark.
“You’re not just a regular anchor, are you? Tell me the truth, Dario. Who are you really p>