Ch. 182: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life chapter 182
Chapter 182"Elodie, I really didn't expect you to be this good to me," the voice on the other end of the phone said, filled with gratitude. "You've been wronged because of me, and I'm so touched."
Elodie, lying on her bed, brushed it off casually. "You don’t need to thank me. If someone bullies my friend, it’s like they’re bullying me. Of course, I’ll stand up for you. That's what friends do—stick together, no matter what."
Her friend was almost tearful. "I only vented to you, but you really took it to heart. I feel so lucky to have someone like you in my life."
This was who Elodie had always been—loyal to a fault. Sheltered and pampered her whole life, she'd never encountered the darker sides of human nature. When her friend confided in her about being mistreated, Elodie’s instinct was to defend her, consequences be damned.
Even after today’s fallout with her grandfather, she had no regrets. If faced with the same situation, she’d act the same way again.
The two friends talked for a while longer, exchanging stories and frustrations. The more her friend vented, the angrier Elodie became. People could be so cruel, she thought, her indignation keeping her awake long after their call ended.
When Norah got home, she set about her usual routine: removing her makeup, taking a shower, and carefully hanging her dress in the closet. She admired it one last time before shutting the door. Though she might only wear it once, she liked knowing it was there, a memento of the evening.
The bedroom was empty, and when she peeked into the hallway, she saw Kevin deep in conversation on his phone. He glanced her way as she opened the door.
"If you're tired, go ahead and sleep," he said.
"Got it," she replied, closing the door.
Just as she turned to leave, she overheard a name—Bianca.
The sound of it pulled her thoughts in an unwelcome direction. It was always Bianca. No matter how much she tried to ignore her, Bianca’s presence lingered, like a shadow at the edges of her life.
Shaking it off, Norah went to bed and drifted into a restless sleep.
The next morning at the office, the atmosphere buzzed with chatter. Some voices were filled with praise, others with irritation.
Curious, Norah tuned in to the murmurs and soon caught sight of the reason for all the excitement. Across the street, a massive poster adorned the side of a building. Bianca’s face, luminous and captivating, stared down at the city, promoting her latest project.
Norah sighed, not out of jealousy, but exhaustion. She rarely paid attention to Bianca’s career, no matter how often the woman tried to stir up trouble between them. Yet, Bianca’s presence always managed to intrude, like an uninvited guest at a party.
"Bianca’s drama is blowing up!" someone exclaimed nearby.
"I heard she even did her own stunts," another added, clearly impressed.
"It’s no wonder she’s everywhere. Her performance is actually pretty solid."
Norah poured herself a glass of water, ignoring the chatter.
Tessa, ever perceptive, approached with a smirk. "Ms. White, did you hear? Mr. Edwards really pulled out all the stops for Bianca. He must be completely devoted to her."
Norah shot Tessa a look. "People like her rise fast, but staying there is the real challenge."
Tessa rolled her eyes. "She’s always in the spotlight, whether it’s for drama or scandal. Suicide attempts, fake framing stories—it’s exhausting. She thrives on controversy."
Norah shrugged, unwilling to be dragged into the conversation. "Let’s drop it. Honestly, I don’t know why you dislike her so much."
Tessa grinned mischievously. "Last time, I thought Mr. Edwards had a thing for you, but Bianca swooped in and ruined the vibe. That’s why I can’t stand her." She tilted her head, studying Norah. "You and Mr. Edwards… you just make sense together. You have this natural chemistry—like you’re already married."
Norah swatted the air playfully. "Stop with the gossip and get back to work."
Tessa pouted but nodded. "Fine. By the way, the pantry’s almost out of drinks. I’ll run out to stock up."
"I’ll go with you," Norah offered, thinking of Kevin.
Tessa raised a brow. "Does Mr. Edwards need something specific?"
"Yeah."
In the underground parking garage, Tessa was giddy as she climbed into Norah’s car. "Wow, Ms. White! This is a nice ride. I’ve never been out with you before. It’s so clean and smells amazing."
Norah chuckled. "It’s just a car. I’ve had it for years."
Tessa glanced around, her eyes landing on the Rolls-Royce parked nearby. "That must be Mr. Edwards’ car, huh? Must be nice to ride in something like that."
Norah said nothing, instead shifting the car into gear and steering the conversation elsewhere. "Let’s focus on getting those drinks."
As they drove away, Norah felt a twinge of discomfort. The garage, her car, the proximity to Kevin—it was all too interconnected. She didn’t want Tessa, or anyone else, overthinking the situation.
Better to keep some things private.