Chapter 166 She Has Someone by Her Side
The moon was cold as frost, and the sky was starless.
The Maybach pulled up at Riverside Villa. Edward got out and told the driver, "Take Bart back. I'll go in alone. No need to follow."
"But Edward, it’s going to rain. It's a long walk from the gate to the villa. Let me take you in," Bart said, worried.
"No need," Edward replied, looking gloomy. He loosened his tie. "I want to walk alone. You go back."
"Yes, sir." Bart watched Edward until he disappeared into the night.
Edward took a deep breath and started walking into the estate when a loud thunderclap sounded. It began to rain.
By the time Edward reached the villa, he was drenched and looked a mess.
It was late autumn, and the wind and rain lashed at him, making the bitterness in his heart even clearer.
"Mr. Wellington! How did you get soaked like this?! Where's the driver? Where's Bart?!" May ran over, seeing Edward's pale face, wet bangs covering his eyes, and trembling lips.
"May," Edward said hoarsely, "Do you have any alcohol? I want a drink."
"You're soaked and you still want to drink? Are you out of your mind? Go upstairs, change your clothes, and take a hot bath, quickly!" May turned to prepare, but Edward grabbed her. "I just want a drink. Let me have it."
"Mr. Wellington, what's wrong with you?" May sensed something was very off.
Edward couldn't hold it in any longer, his eyes reddening. "I ran into Evelyn tonight."
"Mrs. Wellington! You saw Mrs. Wellington?!" May was initially happy, but Edward's next words made her frown. "She had someone with her."
"Who?" May asked.
"She has a boyfriend," Edward said, his voice hoarse and broken.
May gasped, eyes wide with shock. "So soon?! But it's not surprising. Mrs. Wellington is so outstanding, beautiful, kind-hearted, and from a high background. Even after a divorce, she wouldn't have trouble remarrying."
'Remarry?' Edward's eyes reddened, his heart pounding heavily.
"So, you're getting soaked and wanting to drink because Mrs. Wellington has a boyfriend?" May looked at him seriously.
"I don't know," Edward shook his head, lost.
"Mr. Wellington, if you're upset because the love Mrs. Wellington once gave you is now given to someone else, I advise you to adjust your mindset quickly and let go. It's better for both you and Mrs. Wellington. But if you simply want Mrs. Wellington herself, even though it seems too late now, I still hope you can recognize your own heart and win her back." May placed her warm hands on Edward's wet shoulders, her gaze intense. "Mr. Wellington, even if it ends in vain, at least you won't regret trying. And Mrs. Wellington is worth it."
'Recognize my own heart?' Edward kept shaking his head, constantly denying something in his aching heart. But with each denial, his heart ached even more.
After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music, Jessica was selected for the Royal Symphony Orchestra but ultimately gave up the spot and chose to return to Mugden.
Mugden is an economic center, not a cultural one. The place is filled with the scent of money, and the artistic atmosphere is far less rich than that of Yatuok. Returning was not a wise choice.
But she had her own little plan, one that even Eric didn't know about.
She learned from Eric that Edward had completely broken up with Nicole, with no chance of getting back together.
So her hope, which had turned to ashes, rekindled, and she hurried back to Mugden, ready to execute her plan!
Today, with nothing else to do, Jessica invited Debra over to her home.
Jessica was pampered, proud, and confident in her beauty, so she looked down on most people in the Mugden social circle.
But she was particularly close to Debra for one reason only—because she was the daughter of the Wellington family.
She felt the Wellington family was the only one worth her time.
"Debra, you look stunning today! And you brought a gift, how thoughtful."
Jessica greeted Debra at the door with a bright smile, the two holding hands like close friends.
"Jessica! I've missed you. You look even more beautiful than last time!"
Debra showered her with compliments but had her own plans.
'Eric dotes on Jessica. If I get close to her, I could visit the Clark family more often. I could win over Susan Weaver and have Jessica put in a good word for me with Eric. Becoming Eric's wife would be just a matter of time!'
"A few days ago, I went on a trip and brought back some souvenirs. There's something for you and Mrs. Clark. They're not very expensive, so don't mind them," Debra said.
Jessica looked at the pile of luxury gift boxes, smiling meaningfully. "Is there a gift for Eric in there?"
"Yes, but I'm afraid Eric won't like it or accept it," Debra blushed, lowering her head shyly.
"Look at you, blushing just at the mention of Eric! You must really like him." Jessica smiled and beckoned her over. "Leave it to me. If I give it to Eric, he'll definitely accept it."
"Thank you so much, Jessica!" Debra was overjoyed, quickly taking out the gift for Eric.
Jessica took the exquisite box and opened it to reveal a platinum tie pin with sapphire inlays, clearly expensive.
At that moment, Eric descended the European-style vintage spiral staircase, dressed in a purple bespoke suit with a black silk shirt featuring a rose pattern, looking as devilishly handsome and noble as ever.
Debra stared at Eric, her mouth slightly open in awe, almost drooling.
"Eric!" Jessica called out sweetly.
Eric's eyes were full of affection when he saw Jessica, but turned cold and resistant the moment he saw Debra.
"Debra, what are you doing here?" Eric asked.
"I..." Debra swallowed hard, instantly intimidated.
"Eric, I invited Debra over to our house." Jessica quickly hugged Debra, leaning intimately on her shoulder. "Debra and I have always been close. Didn't you know? She's my best friend in Mugden."
"Really? I didn't know that." Eric narrowed his eyes, saying mockingly, "Jessica, I don't oppose you making friends, but you need to choose wisely. Some friends are good mentors and guides, illuminating your path in life. Others with ill intentions will only lead you astray."
Jessica glanced at Debra, who was now pale with embarrassment. "I know, Eric. I'm twenty-two; I can tell good people from bad."
"I know you haven't been in Mugden for long and don't have many friends. If you really want to make friends, I can introduce you to Evelyn, the eldest daughter of the Taylor family, the beautiful woman you met last night." Eric's tone softened when he was talking about Evelyn as if recalling his first love. "She happens to be an old acquaintance of your mentor, Christian. You two will have a lot to talk about and will surely become friends quickly."
'That beautiful woman? Friends?!' Jessica sneered inwardly. 'What a joke, becoming friends with a rival!'
Eric walked over to Jessica, gently pinched her cheek, and was about to leave when Jessica quickly handed him the gift.
"Eric, this is a gift Debra brought from Flancia for you. You must accept her kind gesture." Jessica blinked her innocent eyes at him.
Eric took the box without a word, walking away gracefully.
"See, I told you. If I give it to him, he'll definitely accept it." Jessica said proudly, hands on her hips.
Debra was so moved that she almost cried, looking at Jessica with gratitude.
Eric walked outside with a stern face, glancing coldly at the exquisite box in his hand, not even wanting to open it. He was about to throw it far away when he remembered Jessica's words. Seeing his female secretary standing by the car, he licked his upper palate and tossed the box to her.
The secretary caught it and asked, puzzled, "Eric, what's this?"
"A gift for you."
The secretary opened it, stunned. "But Eric, this is a men's tie pin. I don't even have a boyfriend. I can't use it."
Eric's eyes flashed with irritation. "Can't you give it to your father? Or sell it anyway!"
