SWNOVELS Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Edith pulled Jeanne back into her seat and covered her mouth.
“No, it’s not like that. Don’t talk nonsense,” Edith said.
Jeanne protested with muffled sounds of discontent while attempting to push Edith’s hand away.
She pondered in annoyance, ‘Gideon hasn’t even answered yet!‘
Gideon glanced at them through the rearview mirror and then changed the subject.
“After some exploration, it has been confirmed that there are a lot of valuable artifacts buried beneath the historic district. The board was worried that you might be short–handed, so they’ve dispatched a few people from abroad to assist you.”
Edith then thought of the several foreigners she had seen in the laboratory that afternoon.
She thought, ‘Having help will make my job easier, which is a good thing.’
Just as Edith was about to feel relieved, Gideon’s voice dampened her excitement like a bucket of cold water.
“However, I think they lack the ability to handle this meticulous work and have already sent them back. So, until the new assistants arrive, you’re responsible for these tasks.”
Edith was rendered speechless.
Edith felt a tightness in her chest, a mix of frustration and disbelief, which made her cough uncomfortably.
She thought angrily, ‘Wasn’t he who doubted I couldn’t even write a proper report this afternoon? And now he’s dumping all the work on me? No one changes their mind as fast as he does!‘
Edith glared at Gideon. “You did this on purpose, didn’t you? Knowing full well this is when we’re short–handed, yet you still sent them away.”
She couldn’t think of any other way to describe this behavior except as a spiteful revenge. Gideon’s hand, which was resting on the steering wheel, tightened involuntarily.
He wondered, ‘Why is she blaming me again?‘
Gideon then intentionally provoked her, saying, “Is it that you think you can’t complete the project? If so, I can request a replacement from the association anytime.”
“Of course I can!” Edith retorted without hesitation.
The moment she learned of the value of the artifacts in the historic district, any thoughts of leaving vanished instantly.
Gideon was pleased with Edith’s response and nodded. “Then follow the arrangement.”
Edith felt like she was being manipulated again, which made her feel defeated.
She mused, ‘Why can’t I ever outsmart this archfiend, Gideon?‘
After much effort, Jeanne finally freed herself from her mother’s grasp and regained her ability to speak freely.
She blinked, her thick, long eyelashes briefly casting soft shadows, making her look like a fairy in
cartoons.
Quick to catch on, Jeanne asked, “Were they the two ladies we met in the elevator?”
Gideon didn’t want to discuss it, but seeing her eager eyes, he could only nod and say, “One of them
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was an assistant.”
Smiling, she made a finger heart.
“You sent them away, not to trouble Mom, but to stand up for me.”
Jeanne pondered, ‘It seems Gideon isn’t as bad as I thought. He’s quite caring!
Gideon didn’t respond and just drove in silence.
He thought, ‘I can’t outright admit it, can I? Edith would read too much into it if I did. Apart from being rude to Jeanne, those assistants really weren’t up for the job.
“In the elevator? Stand up for you? What happened?” Edith was baffled and thought, ‘I must have missed something significant!‘
Gideon then brought the car to a sudden halt.
With that, Edith’s body jolted forward so violently that her nose hit the backrest, and her eyes. immediately watered with pain.
She pondered, “Thank goodness my nose is real, or it would have been crooked after such a hit.
Gideon opened the car door. “Nothing happened. We’re home, get out.”
“What?” Edith looked at him skeptically, wondering, “This doesn’t make sense! She then turned to Jeanne and asked, “Tell me, what has happened?”
Jeanne stuck out her tongue, with an innocent look on her face.
“It’s nothing, just a little secret between me and Gideon. Don’t ask anymore, Mommy.”
She didn’t want to worry Edith.
Edith was disheartened to see her little girl already starting to side with others.
Afterward, she, along with Jeanne and Ruben, got out of the car, and Gideon drove away.
The Rolls–Royce he drove then disappeared into the dark street.
‘He didn’t go to see Danika and her daughter?‘ Edith thought, standing at the crossroads, looking flustered.
She then pondered, ‘Could Jeanne have guessed it right? Did Gideon pretend it was convenient to drive us, but actually, he intended to take us home…”
The thought sent a shiver of fear through Edith.
She thought in disbelief, “That’s impossible! Absolutely impossible! Gideon isn’t that kind–hearted.
Having just finished a date, Bonnie swiftly drove her flashy and ostentatious sports car toward them, parking it smoothly at the entrance.
Seeing Edith and the others standing motionless by the roadside, Bonnie approached and asked, “What’s the matter? Were you all waiting for me?”
“Mommy might be too tired,” Jeanne explained with a hint of unease.
“I think so, too. She looks exhausted. Come on, let’s get in. I had brought you guys some late–night snacks.” Bonnie nodded understandingly, picking up Jeanne and hugging her tightly, exclaiming inwardly, ‘Nothing beats the scent of this little one!‘
Bonnie, holding Jeanne, entered the villa first.
Looking at Ruben beside her, Edith asked persistently, “Tell me, what had happened in the elevator?”
Ruben adjusted his glasses, displaying an expression that suggested he had nothing to reveal.
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Edith sighed, thinking, I must be out of my mind, hoping to get the whole story from Ruben.‘
“Forget it. As long as Gideon doesn’t do anything to hurt you guys, that’s fine then.”
Ruben looked up at Edith as if he wanted to say something but stopped.
He wondered, ‘Did Dad the jerk hurt Mom before?‘
Following the cobblestone path, the villa’s main entrance was a short distance away.
While walking, Edith noticed that Danika’s house still had lights on.
Lacking the energy to ponder further, Edith led Ruben back home for a late–night snack.
As they were eating, Edith vented to Bonnie, relentlessly criticizing Gideon.
“He only knows how to pressure me, even questioning my work ability. Today, he even tattled to Mr. Simmons about me!”
Bonnie clicked her tongue. “Really? Gideon doesn’t seem like the type to gossip behind someone’s back.”
“Well… Anyway, he just seems to have it out for me!” Edith was unsure if Victor Simmons‘ comments about her unprofessional attitude were instigated by Gideon.
But then, Edith couldn’t think of anyone other than Gideon who would target her like that.
Ruben suddenly found his fried chicken unappetizing.
He thought angrily, ‘He’s bullying Mom again! It seems the previous punishments were too lenient. I need to think of new strategies.
After finishing their meal, Ruben and Jeanne didn’t even listen to their bedtime story and quickly went to their rooms to wash up and sleep.
Edith cleaned up the leftovers on the table.
Turning her head, she saw Bonnie curled up on the sofa with a drink and knew she wouldn’t be going home tonight.
Edith advised, “Don’t drink too much.”
“I think I’m living quite well now, but my dad insists on setting me up on blind dates,” Bonnie said, burying her head in her knees, looking dejected.
Edith then went to sit down beside her.
Since last year, the Ramirez family had been continuously arranging blind dates for Bonnie, hoping she would settle down soon.
Bonnie, who lived a carefree life and disliked being tied down by relationships, naturally opposed her family’s wishes, leading to a tug–of–war that lasted over a year.
Edith suggested a compromise. “Your dad is aged. His worries about you are normal. Next time you go on a blind date, just find an excuse to say it’s not a good match. Don’t always go and argue with your family.”
“That’s easier said than done,” Bonnie muttered, finishing the drink in her glass in one go.
Exhausted from the day’s tribulations, Edith couldn’t sit still any longer. She went to her room, quickly freshened up, and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Meanwhile, moonlight shone down, casting a pale silver glow on the asphalt road.
Gideon drove his car aimlessly, speeding through the desolate crossroads.
Over the past few years, he had suffered from mild insomnia and enjoyed driving at high speeds on deserted roads when he couldn’t sleep, enjoying the thrill of speed.