Chapter 79
Chapter 79:
Alden arrived home thirty minutes after Helena, unwilling to acknowledge the jealousy simmering within him.
Yet when he recalled how Helena had bristled with envy simply because he’d shown a touch more kindness to her female colleague, a pleasant warmth spread through his chest. Helena cared for him—her jealousy confirmed it.
Tonight, sharing the room with her, he’d finally uncover her true feelings.
His plans crumbled the moment he stepped inside their home. Helena’s bedroom door stood wide open while his remained firmly shut.
A note awaited him on the table: “I’m switching rooms with you until the heating gets fixed p>
He strode over and rapped on his door. “Come on, switch back. You’ll catch a cold in there. We’re seeing my grandmother this Friday, remember p>
From within, Helena burrowed deeper under the covers. “I’m already sleeping p>
Alden twisted the doorknob, finding it locked from inside.
When he checked the drawer containing their spare keys, another note greeted him: “Keys confiscated,” complete with a mocking smiley face beside it.
A helpless laugh escaped Alden.
Had he known Helena would claim his room, he would have arranged for the heater repair ages ago.
When it came to her, his defenses always crumbled.
The pillows and blankets remained on Helena’s bed—but she was elsewhere.
Lying in her bed, Alden tossed restlessly. Her delicate scent permeated everything, enveloping him as though she remained present. He couldn’t determine whether the rising warmth came from the functioning heater—or something stirring inside him.
Only one certainty existed: tonight would prove even more unbearable than any before it.
The following day, Helena’s sneezes echoed continuously throughout the office.
Tessa approached with concern, assuming she’d caught a chill during yesterday’s visit to the development area.
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Helena dismissed her worry with a wave. “The heating at home broke p>
“You probably caught the cold from waiting for the taxi at the roadside,” Dominick interjected. “Yesterday, Mr. Wilson offered you a ride, but you declined. I offered too, and still, you refused. Helena, I’ve noticed your temperament has sharpened considerably since your marriage p>
Helena feigned deafness to his observation.
Alden had insisted they should keep their distance from married people to avoid misunderstandings.
Then, she’d keep her distance from him first.
As for Dominick, she still couldn’t fathom Alden’s intense dislike for him—but perhaps for Dominick’s well-being, distance would serve everyone best.
“Enough idle chatter,” Betsey snapped, impatience lacing her tone. “Bring me all materials from yesterday’s press conference, immediately p>
Helena’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “To you p>
She understood she’d merely served as a temporary anchor yesterday. The follow-up materials belonged with the new Nine O’clock News anchors, but Betsey’s claim surprised her.
Betsey deliberately amplified her voice. “Oh, I forgot to inform everyone. Starting tomorrow, I’ll assume the female anchor position for the Nine O’clock News. All future interviews with the Wilson Group will be exclusively my responsibility p>
Stunned silence blanketed the office.
“Possessing the materials doesn’t necessitate gloating,” Dominick muttered, his expression souring.
Betsey’s face glowed with triumph, and her words dripped venom. “Helena could have seized this opportunity too, but she failed to appreciate it and instead created unnecessary scandal p>
Helena remained silent, lowering her gaze as she methodically organized the files.
Neville’s extended absence coincided with Eleanor’s departure, leaving coveted vacancies on the Nine O’clock News. While Helena found herself entangled in scandal, Betsey had methodically orchestrated her ascension behind the scenes, securing the anchor position—temporarily, at least.
How long she’d retain this prized seat remained uncertain.
“All files are compiled here.” Helena extended the USB drive containing the materials, her fingers reluctant to release it.
Betsey’s smile gleamed with predatory satisfaction. “I ought to express my gratitude. Your performance at the press conference left Mr. Wilson with quite the favorable impression of Nexus TV.” She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a silken whisper. “You may squander such advantages, but I won’t. Rest assured—I’ll cultivate a most… agreeable relationship with him p>
A memory flickered unbidden in Helena’s mind—last night, Alden’s lips curving into a faint smile as he spoke to her female colleague. Her hand jerked back reflexively, clutching the USB drive against her chest.
Betsey’s grasping fingers closed on empty air, her expression hardening from surprise to fury. “Helena, what exactly are you playing at p>
“I just recalled an omission,” Helena said, forcing brightness into her tone to mask the sudden territorial surge pulsing through her veins.
Betsey’s eyes narrowed to razor slits. “Complete it quickly then. And don’t attempt anything underhanded—consider yourself warned p>
Back at her desk, Helena unlocked her computer with trembling fingers. She scrolled through the press conference materials, methodically replacing Alden’s polished, flattering photographs with the most unflattering images she could unearth—shots where his expression appeared awkward, angles that emphasized imperfections, moments caught between practiced poses.
Tessa approached, glancing over Helena’s shoulder. Her breath caught audibly, eyes widening at the scene before her.
“Helena! What are you doing p>
Helena’s hand flew to cover the screen, her heart hammering against her ribs. “Nothing of consequence p>
Words failed her. She pressed a finger to her lips, imploring Tessa’s silence with desperate eyes.
Tessa nodded hesitantly, confusion clouding her features. So Dominick’s whispered theories contained truth—Helena truly harbored some mysterious vendetta against Mr. Wilson!