Memories Drifted Like Paper Boats by Zyra Cole 45

Chapter 45 

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Tears blurred Helene’s eyes as she knelt on the floor, sobbing softly. “Daddy, Mommy, don’t you believe me? 

“I really didn’t hurt Edwina!” 

Darius frowned, keeping his thoughts to himself, but he couldn’t help but doubt it. 

‘Could a servant really have the nerve to pull off something like this?‘ he wondered. 

He looked at Edwina. “Edwina, did you hear or see anything strange before the bedroom door was locked?” 

‘I definitely did,‘ Edwina thought to herself. 

She’d even heard Helene’s voice. If she hacked into the villa’s security cameras, Helene’s lies would fall apart instantly. 

But if she did that, she’d have to explain a whole lot of things to her family, including her crazy computer skills, and why she didn’t yell for help when she knew she was locked in. 

More importantly, Edwina could see the worry and reluctance in Gloria’s eyes when she looked at Helene. 

Helene had been part of the family for twenty years. Gloria wanted more than anyone for Helene to be innocent. 

Otherwise, Gloria wouldn’t know how to deal with both her daughters. 

Edwina didn’t want to put Gloria through any more pain. 

Edwina bowed her head, gave a slow shake, and replied in a steady voice, “I didn’t see or hear anything.” 

Hearing that, Gloria visibly relaxed. 

Helene looked up at Edwina, her feelings all twisted up inside. 

She’d thought that since her scheme had been exposed, she was definitely finished. Edwina would throw her under the bus without a second thought. 

‘She actually said she didn’t see or hear anything?‘ Helene couldn’t believe it. 

Helene’s fingers dug into her palms, resentment surging through her veins. 

She was kneeling there while Edwina stood above her, looking down from her pedestal. With just a shake of her head, Edwina could erase all her guilt and set her free. 

Helene wasn’t grateful at all. She was full of bitterness and hatred. 

Gloria quickly helped Helene up and wiped her tears. “Helene, I’m glad you’re not involved. Don’t be upset with us for being strict. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to something this serious. 

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“If something had gone wrong, it could’ve cost Edwina’s life.” 

Helene sniffled, looking meek and well–behaved. 

“I get it, Daddy, Mommy, and Edwina. I’m not upset at all. My staff messed up, so I’m responsible too,” she said. 

Darius’s voice was cold. “Lanette, go turn yourself in at the police station.” 

At the mention of the police station, Lanette’s whole body started shaking even harder. “Mr. Simmons, please, 

I beg you, don’t send me to jail. I can’t go, I just can’t…” 

She was so scared she couldn’t even get the words out. 

She never imagined things would get this bad. If she ended up in jail, her whole life would be over. 

Lanette finally lost control and shot a desperate, pleading look at Helene. 

Helene spoke up carefully. “Mommy, Lanette and I basically grew up together. Edwina’s not hurt, so can you let her off just this once? I’ll make sure she never does anything like this again.” 

Gloria shot back, “You want her keep working for you? Not happening. 

“Helene, for your sake, I won’t send her to the police. But if she wants to stay with the Simmons family, she can only clean dishes in the kitchen. She’s not allowed to touch any other work. 

“A person with such a nasty mind shouldn’t be kept close.” 

Helene saw the resolve in Gloria’s face and knew there was no use arguing. All she could do was nod. 

When Lanette heard she wouldn’t have to go to the police station, she deflated like a popped balloon, collapsing to the floor, still shaken to the core. 

With the matter settled, Gloria’s sharp gaze landed on Kelvin, who was standing nearby. 

Her voice was laced with biting sarcasm. “Mr. Gibson, did you have fun watching our family drama? Since you want to call off the engagement, then there’s nothing left between us. Get out!” 

‘Anyone who bullies my daughter is just scum,’ Gloria thought. 

But Kelvin’s voice was warm and gentle, completely different from the determined, assertive man he’d been when he first arrived. 

He said respectfully, “Darius, Gloria. 

“I was being presumptuous just now. The engagement between the Gibson family and the Simmons family was set by the elders. 

“It’s not something I can break off on a whim. I spoke without thinking, and I apologize for that.” 

Edwina shot him a cold, piercing glare, her eyes darkening as if she wanted to skin him alive with her stare. 

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Edwina thought, ‘Wait, is this guy seriously not breaking off the engagement? 

‘What a headache.‘ 

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Kelvin’s warm greeting left Darius and Gloria completely stunned. “What do you mean by that?” they blurted 

out. 

Kelvin replied, “Sorry, what I mean is, I’m not backing out of the engagement. The Gibson family wants to join hands with the Simmons family. 

“That plot of land in East City is not compensation. It’s my gift.” 

As he said this, Kelvin shot Edwina a cheeky grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief. 

Gloria’s anger flared even hotter. “You’re not backing out now? Kelvin, do you think you can just walk all over the Simmons family? 

“First, you want to break off the engagement, then you change your mind. You think you can just do whatever 

you want? 

“Do you think you can just toy with us?” 

Edwina, who almost never agreed with anyone, stepped up beside Gloria and nodded emphatically. “Couldn’t agree more.” 

Gloria turned to Edwina, her face lighting up with a warm, motherly smile. “Sweetie, you weren’t scared, were you?” 

“Nope. Not at all,” Edwina said. 

Kelvin, at twenty–six, had never regretted a decision more than this. He’d just managed to piss off his future mother–in–law. 

Kelvin said, “Gloria, I’m really sorry for being so impulsive today. But honestly, I don’t want to break off the 

engagement. 

“If you really want to call it off, you’ll have to take it up with my family. I’m not the one who gets to decide.” 

Kelvin even brought up his grandmother, the legendary Imelda Gibson, who used to rule the business world. 

She’d done the Simmons family a huge favor back in the day and had helped out Gloria’s family as well. There was no way Gloria could ignore that kind of favor. 

Gloria was left speechless, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. 

‘No way am I letting either Helene or Edwina marry a scheming bastard like him!‘ Gloria swore to herself. 

Darius, on the other hand, was surprisingly calm. As a man, he figured that if a guy was willing to risk his own safety to save a woman, that had to be real love. 

Darius thought, ‘Kelvin really loves Edwina. Edwina’s always been so cool and distant, but maybe this is 

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actually a good match for her. I can’t just dismiss him over today’s misunderstanding. 

‘Otherwise, when will my daughter ever get married?‘ 

Darius tried to keep the peace, smoothing things out before the argument got any worse. 

He said, “Alright, everyone, calm down. 

“Kelvin’s got a point. Breaking off an engagement is something the elders should handle. 

“If we just do it ourselves, it won’t be official, and things will just get messy later.” 

“Yes. Thank you for understanding, Darius,” Kelvin replied, sounding genuinely grateful. 

Kelvin knew exactly how to play to Darius’s interests. 

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He added, “Darius, I’ll send you the bid proposal for that land on the east side later, along with a pretty unconventional way to win the bid.” 

As soon as Darius heard that, he nodded eagerly. “Alright, that sounds great!” 

He was totally hooked. ‘This Gibson kid is clever, and he’s not stingy with his tricks. Definitely someone worth working with,‘ Darius thought. 

Kelvin gave a confident smirk. “The bid proposal’s on my phone, but how do you want me to send it?” 

Darius answered easily, “Just send it to Edwina. She’ll show me.” 

“Sure thing,” Kelvin replied, his smile gentle but with a flash of fox–like shrewdness in his eyes. 

The next moment, Kelvin feigned surprise. “Wait, I don’t even have Edwina’s WhatsApp yet.” 

“Hurry up and add him, Edwina. Do it now!” Darius jumped in.