Chapter 188 Deep Psychological Shadow
"Tiffany! I told you, their relationship isn't simple! Molly just wants to mess up my plans!"
Debra saw Eric helping Molly into a fancy red evening gown. Even without makeup, Molly looked stunning, making Debra burn with jealousy.
What made it worse was that Molly's dress matched Eric's, both a deep burgundy, like a couple's outfit!
They stood together under the bright lights, looking like newlyweds and grabbing everyone's attention.
Debra felt her own purple dress was a joke.
"Molly is my daughter. I know what she's like!"
Tiffany, thinking more deeply than Debra, said, "Molly may be twenty-two, but she acts like a twelve-year-old. She doesn't even understand love. Do you really think she has the guts or brains to steal a man from you?"
Debra's anger cooled a bit but she was still fuming.
"I think it's more complicated than you realize. Eric was cold to you before, and after Byron's birthday party, he probably thinks you have ulterior motives and might already dislike you. He knows Molly is your sister and might be getting close to her just to crush your hopes and annoy you."
"What?"
Debra's vision blurred, "Then what should I do, Tiffany? Does this mean I have no hope of marrying Eric?"
"Now, more than ever, you need to stay calm. Work with Jessica to create chances to get close to Eric, and change your attitude. Be patient. Since Eric is good to Molly, you should be even better to her. Let him see your kind and lovely side. Got it?" Tiffany advised seriously.
"Got it," Debra replied, still upset.
Meanwhile, Molly, excited to see her idol Ada, scanned the room. But when she saw Jessica playing the piano on stage, her face went pale, and her legs trembled.
Painful memories from her youth flooded back, overwhelming her.
"Who would be friends with an idiot like you? What are you even thinking?!"
"Throw her in the trash can! Trash belongs in the trash can to rot!"
"Cut her hair off! I hate girls at school with better hair than mine!"
"No wonder Patrick and Tiffany don't like you, and Debra hates you too. How can an idiot like you be a daughter of the Wellington family? You're the disgrace of the Wellington family!"
"Disgrace, she was a disgrace!"
On stage, Jessica played the piano, unaware of the fearful gaze fixed on her.
Molly, eyes red, clutched her teddy bear and backed away, cold sweat dripping down her forehead.
Suddenly, Eric grabbed her arm.
"Molly, what's wrong? Feeling shy? Don't you want Ada's autograph? Come on, I'll take you to her."
Unexpectedly, Molly shook off his hand and ran towards the door without looking back.
"Molly! Where are you going?!"
Eric was stunned, panicking, afraid something might happen to her if she went out alone at night, so he followed her.
Seeing this, Debra was furious.
Even though Tiffany told her to stay calm, seeing Eric so concerned about Molly made her seethe with rage.
Molly, mind filled with fear, ran out of the hotel, tears welling up as she dashed across the street.
She really wanted to meet Ada. She had spent countless lonely nights watching Ada's movies, where she's an invincible super cop, fighting for justice. It made Molly's heart race and blood boil, like a dream come true.
But seeing Jessica made her want to run away, as far as possible!
'I am an unloved burden, a worthless piece of trash!'
Curses and mockery haunted Molly like ghosts from hell.
A car horn blared urgently, while a blinding headlight beam hit her.
Molly turned sharply, her face ghostly white in the light, frozen in place, unable to move.
The speeding truck couldn't stop in time. Molly clutched her teddy bear, closing her eyes in terror.
"Molly! Watch out!"
In a split second, Eric, who had been following her, lunged forward, wrapping his arms around her fragile body.
Just as Molly protected her teddy bear, Eric protected her with all his might.
With a mid-air twist, Eric turned himself into a human cushion, crashing heavily to the ground with Molly.
Eric's shoulder hit the curb hard, causing him to grunt in pain, sweat soaking through his suit.
The truck swerved to avoid them and crashed into a flowerbed, but the driver was unharmed.
Eric, in pain, temporarily let go of Molly.
But to his disbelief, Molly crawled out of his arms and ran off without a trace!
"Hey! Molly, get back here! At least help me up!"
Eric lay on the ground, unable to get up, almost spitting blood in frustration!
The evening's party, which had been highly publicized, ended abruptly.
To keep it secret from Jessica and Sophia and avoid worrying them, the secretary was instructed to keep Eric's accident and hospitalization under wraps.
Meanwhile, Jessica was still fuming at Evelyn. After the party, she didn't leave immediately but instead drank sullenly with Debra in the Wellington family's hotel bar.
"Edward clearly has feelings for Evelyn!"
Jessica slammed her glass down, her eyes red with anger. "If he likes her so much, why did they get divorced?!"
"I don't get it either."
Debra propped her chin on her hand, looking puzzled. "Before they divorced, Evelyn was like a maid in our house, taking care of Edward's every need. She cooked for the Wellington family for three years! If it were me, I'd have gotten tired after one day, but she endured it silently for three years. I have to give her credit for that. And yet, Edward never even looked at her. He was all about Nicole, abandoning Evelyn for her."
"I used to think Edward was absolutely right, but honestly, now I think he was pretty blind."
Debra was speaking her mind under the influence of alcohol.
Jessica's expression turned even darker, and she sneered, "Debra, are you feeling sorry for Evelyn? Do you regret she can't be your family?"
"No, no, no, Jessica, you misunderstood me."
Realizing she had misspoken, Debra quickly forced a smile. "I'm just trying to analyze the situation for you. I don't understand why Edward ignored Evelyn before the divorce and started caring about her afterward."
Jessica took a sip of her drink, feeling extremely frustrated, the desire to conquer boiling in her chest. "I don't believe Edward has feelings for Evelyn! They were married for three years. If he had feelings, how could it wait until after the divorce? Edward is just upset seeing Evelyn doing well, and the more upset he gets, the more he wants to pay attention to her!"
She flipped her brown hair arrogantly and smirked. "Edward and I have a real emotional foundation, unlike Evelyn. Edward must have feelings for me. He's just temporarily distracted by Evelyn!"
Debra stuck out her tongue discreetly without response.
"Debra, we must find a way to get Ada and help Edward close this deal! I'll help you."
Jessica recalled Evelyn's arrogant demeanor when she presented "Ragnarok," her eyes filling with hatred. "It's just a stupid brooch. Alexa has more than one piece. If Evelyn can get one, so can I!"
