Memories Drifted Like Paper Boats by Zyra Cole 40

Chapter 40 

Chapter 40 

The thought grated on her. ‘Having a driver take me back? Seriously? How was that any different from going back alone? The people at Gibson Group won’t see me getting out of the car with Kelvin, so let alone rumors about me being the future Mrs. Gibson.‘ 

So much for that plan. Her mind twisted with frustration, but she had to play the sweet, obedient girl. 

“Grandma, really, there’s no need to bother Kelvin. I drove myself here, so heading back is no trouble at all,” she said. 

“Oh, that’s fine then,” Imelda replied, her tone flat. 

Imelda didn’t press the issue at all. With the caregiver’s help, she lay back down on the bed. 

She let out a sigh, not in the mood for pleasantries with her, muttering to herself. 

“Edwina’s gone, guess I’m all by myself again,” Imelda grumbled. 

“I’ve got to hurry up and get well, so I can go see her!” she added, determination flickering in her eyes. 

‘Honestly, if I really wanted to see Edwina every day, I should just make her my grandson’s wife. If only things were that simple. Imelda thought to herself. 

Imelda shot Kelvin a resentful glare, then huffed and turned her back on him. 

‘Some grandson you are. Maybe it’s time I considered adopting another one,‘ Imelda muttered in her mind. 

Helene’s voice was soft as she said, “Kelvin, I’ll head back now. I’ll come see Grandma another day.” 

He replied coolly, “There’s no need to come back. Grandma has professional caregivers. She doesn’t need your help.” 

He was clearly showing her the door. 

She forced a smile, her voice faltering as she said awkwardly, “Kelvin, did I do something to upset Grandma? Just tell me, I’ll correct, alright?” 

“About the seafood chowder thing last time, I was clueless, and I didn’t even manage my staff properly,” she 

added. 

The Simmons family’s princess had never been this humble before. For Kelvin, she was willing to be just a lowly director in the fashion department. And yet, he still found her lacking. 

‘Kelvin, I’ve loved you for so many years, but now the whole Gibson family is obsessed with that country bumpkin. Do I really deserve this?‘ Helene screamed silently in her heart. 

Her eyes reddened, brimming with grievance, making her look so pitiful it’d tug at anyone’s heartstrings. 

But Kelvin didn’t even blink. His voice was ice–cold as he said, “Miss Simmons, what I can’t stand is someone 

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Chapter 40 

trying to keep tabs on the Gibson family behind my back.” 

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55 vouchers 

“I’m replacing all the caregivers. Don’t even think about using Grandma for your schemes again,” he added. 

Her face turned ashen. She really had bribed the caregivers to spy on Imelda, just to stay informed about hospital developments. She hadn’t expected that Kelvin would catch on this quickly. 

“Kelvin, I…” Helene’s voice faltered, barely holding back her frustration. 

“You can go now, Miss Simmons,” Kelvin said coldly, making it clear he wanted her out. 

Biting her lip hard, fists clenched, Helene stormed out of the room, feeling bitter and totally unwilling to leave. 

Kelvin closed the door, and then patiently started peeling an apple for Imelda. 

“Grandma, are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere? Should I call the doctor for another check–up?” Kelvin asked softly. 

“I’m not feeling well at all! Everything hurts, especially right here!” Imelda complained. 

Imelda sprang up, pressing her hand dramatically to her heart. 

“Kelvin, I just can’t settle down until you marry Edwina. But honestly, relying on you is absolutely useless,” she huffed. 

Kelvin rubbed his temples, exasperated. “Grandma, if you’re bored in the hospital, try reading some books instead of scrolling through those endless short clips. They’re just junk food for your brain.” 

“And even if I wanted to marry Edwina, I’d have to sort out the engagement with the Simmons family first,” he added, his tone firm. 

Imelda nodded. “That’s right. Helene’s got the looks, the personality, and the brains on paper. She’s got it all. But…” She sighed, “no helping it, I just can’t make myself like her.” 

Some people just click with you the moment you meet them, like Edwina. 

But with others, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t force it, like Helene. 

Imelda spoke sincerely, “If you really have feelings for Helene, then there’s no need to call off the engagement. Just marry her, I won’t say anything more.” 

“But as for Edwina, I could easily set her up with more handsome and accomplished men,” she teased. 

“Not allowed.” Kelvin replied instantly, the words slipping out before he even realized it. 

Imelda narrowed her eyes, studying Kelvin closely, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. 

‘Looks like there’s still hope. Maybe I can still pull this off, she noted. 

“Come on, it’s not like I’m matchmaking for you. Why not?” Imelda huffed, half–joking, half–annoyed. 

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Chapter 40 

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Kelvin’s eyes turned deep and unreadable, like a thorn stuck in his heart, making him feel all kinds of uneasy, 

“That’s just how it is. She’s an employee at Gibson Group, my assistant. Dating her would just mess up our work dynamic. Look at Peter, he’s been with me forever and he’s still single,” Kelvin said, his tone unyielding. 

Peter, buried in paperwork at the office, suddenly sneezed a bunch of times for no apparent reason, totally confused. 

Imelda dragged out her response, “Oh–alright then. So, what are you planning to do about Helene?” 

“I’m definitely ending the engagement. I’m not marrying Helene, period. But since this was something the older generation set up, if the Gibson family wants out, we’ll have to compensate the Simmons family,” he responded. 

Imelda nodded, seeing the logic in that. 

He paused for a moment, thinking it through. “I’ve acquired a plot of land in the east side of the city recently. It’s got massive potential, worth billions. I’m handing it over to the Simmons family.” 

“Once they accept the land, that’s it. We’re completely done with the Simmons family,” he added. 

That land was insanely valuable. Using it just to break off the engagement was way more than necessary. It only proved how dead Kelvin was on cutting ties for good. 

He was fully prepared for an outright with the Simmons family if it came to that. Even if they refused to end things, he’d never let his own life get ruined by a marriage of convenience. As for Helene Simmons? That woman was nothing but a thoroughgoing nuisance. 

When Kelvin got back to the company, he made a beeline for the top–floor research lab. Not seeing Edwina at the entrance, he frowned. 

Adrian poked his head out from inside. “Kelvin, you looking for Edwina?” 

“Yeah, where is she?” Kelvin asked, sounding a bit impatient. 

“She didn’t show up today. Took the day off and let HR know,” Adrian replied. 

“Kelvin, there is satellite data for this phase.” Adrian called out, but Kelvin just brushed him off. 

“Not now. We’ll talk later,” he said, turning and heading downstairs. 

Adrian and the others watched him leave in a hurry, feeling totally hopeless. 

Everyone was thinking the same thing: ‘What happened? Where did our old, tireless, workaholic Kelvin go?‘ 

Brian muttered under his breath, “Guess this is what love does to a guy.” 

Kelvin made his way to the design department at Maberly Fashion. 

When Kelvin showed up, everyone was on edge. Pauline came over, and asked if something was up, but he just waved her over to talk privately. 

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Chapter 40 

He looked down slightly, and for once, actually looked a bit unsure. 

Pauline had never seen that expression on him before, and it made her even more anxious. Is he about to fire me? Or axe the whole Maberly Fashion team?‘ she panicked. 

Pauline gripped the sleeve of her suit, swallowing nervously. 

“Mr. Gibson, did you need something from me?” she asked. 

Kelvin gave a small nod before finally speaking, “Do you have Edwina’s WhatsApp?” 

“Huh?” Pauline blinked, genuinely floored. 

‘Could that really be all?‘ she wondered, still in disbelief. 

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