Chapter 284 Why Doesn't He Seek Help?
Before I even got to the entrance of the banquet hall, I saw Fiona waving at me from afar.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. The lively laughter and chatter from the banquet hall hit me like a wave, but my mind was still stuck on my recent run-in with Edward. I just couldn't shake it off.
"Balloons!" Skylar tugged on the string of her balloon, waving it at Fiona.
Everyone's attention was drawn to the bright red balloon in Skylar's hand.
Fiona's eyes widened, and she gasped, "A balloon!"
But she quickly swallowed her words, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes.
David gently nudged Fiona's arm and gave her a meaningful look, a subtle gesture that I noticed.
David cleared his throat, trying to lighten the sudden awkwardness. "This wedding is really something, huh?"
Seeing their hesitant expressions, I had already guessed most of it.
I hesitated and asked, "You all know, don't you?"
I tried to keep my voice calm. "You know about Edward's situation."
Fiona and David exchanged glances, neither of them responding immediately.
After a while, David finally spoke up, a bit embarrassed, "Diana, we only found out after we got back. We didn't want to upset you, so..."
Fiona quickly added, "We know how tough it's been for you all these years. We didn't want you to be sad because of Edward. He's really not doing well, but David was more worried about you."
Surprised, I looked at David when Fiona mentioned his concern for me.
David looked a bit uncomfortable and lowered his head. "Diana, don't overthink it. We kept it from you for your own good."
I nodded slightly, my eyes welling up. "I understand. I've always known you had my best interests at heart. I thought I had forgotten him after all these years, but seeing him like that just now was a shock."
I tried to speak calmly, but my nose tingled, and Edward's outrageous outfit kept flashing through my mind.
Fiona seemed to read my thoughts. She exchanged a look with David and then led me to sit down.
She said, "Edward's had a rough time these past few years. I heard he's been doing all sorts of odd jobs to pay off debts. I didn't expect you to run into him today."
Hearing this, I felt a tightness in my heart. The once proud Edward had fallen to doing odd jobs, and I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by a wave of emotion.
"You're really sad, aren't you?" Fiona asked in a strange tone.
I didn't understand why Fiona would ask that and stared at her blankly.
Fiona suddenly gave a playful smile, leaned close to my face, and whispered in my ear, "Even if you're not sad, someone else will care for him."
She winked at me playfully.
"Anne is still in prison," I sighed softly, thinking Fiona was talking about Anne.
David came over, puzzled. "What are you talking about?"
Fiona stood up, linking her arm with David's, and said gently, "We were talking about someone caring for Edward."
David paused, then cautiously asked, "Diana, are you thinking about giving the Howard Group back to him?"Giving the Howard Group back to Edward? That thought had never even crossed my mind.
I instinctively hugged Skylar tighter, steadied myself, and shook my head firmly. "The Howard Group belongs to Skylar now. I'm just managing it for her. Whether to give it back to Edward is something Skylar will decide when she's grown up."
Hearing this, Fiona looked thoughtful and asked, "If the Howard Group went back to Edward, it might develop better. It could be an opportunity for him, right?"
I sighed softly, my gaze falling gently on Skylar's innocent face. "You're right. With Edward's abilities, he could definitely run the Howard Group better. But my priority is Skylar. I won't make that decision for her. And even if we were to give it back, it would have to wait until Skylar can make her own informed choices."
David nodded thoughtfully and said, "Diana's right. Skylar has a long road ahead, and having the Howard Group is a safety net for her. But Edward's situation is really challenging right now."
Fiona placed a hand on David's shoulder and suddenly asked, "Why hasn't he asked us for help? After all, we were comrades, right?"
I thought to myself, 'If business rivals could be considered comrades, then yes, we and Edward were comrades.'
David crossed his arms and remarked, "I suppose with Edward's pride, he wouldn't ask us for help. He used to be one of the top figures in Wind City's business scene. Now that he's fallen so low, his pride must be deeply wounded. Asking us for assistance would be too humiliating for him."
David had grown up with Edward, and his analysis made sense.
Fiona looked puzzled and asked, "Isn't it normal to seek help when you're in trouble? Why would he feel humiliated?"
David shook his head and replied, "You don't understand him. When he was in a high position, he wanted to do everything perfectly. Now that he's failed so badly, he can't forgive himself."
"David's right. Edward has always been strong-willed. He used to handle everything on his own, no matter how tough. Now, he wouldn't want us to see him in such a sorry state. He'd rather play the clown and sell balloons than ask us for help." I agreed with David's judgment.
Fiona said sympathetically, "Doing odd jobs like this, when will he ever make a comeback? But I admire him more for it."
David looked a bit uneasy but continued, "His pride is too strong. We wouldn't laugh at him. However, we need to respect his choice. If an opportunity arises in the future, perhaps we can help him indirectly."
David and Fiona continued discussing, while I listened quietly, feeling a mix of emotions.
The past with Edward had long faded with time. Now, all I cared about was the adorable Skylar in my arms.
I knew that, regardless of what the future held, Skylar's well-being would always be my top priority. As for Edward, I just hoped he wouldn't interfere with Skylar's life. Especially when it came to the Howard Group, I needed to respect her wishes.
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