Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 165 New Year's Eve

Oliver's brow furrowed, and he bit his lower lip, looking super conflicted. I totally got why.

Leonard had split them up, so of course, Oliver hated him. But Leonard was Bella's dad, and if something happened to him, Bella would be crushed. Oliver couldn't stand seeing Bella sad.

So, when he sensed something was off with Leonard, he followed him. Good thing he did, 'cause he pulled Leonard back from the edge.

Oliver wanted to help Leonard but didn't feel like he had the right to.

Oliver left first, and Ethan and I followed shortly after.

The only fix for Leonard's problem now was money.

We drove home, and I whipped up a couple of dishes real quick.

We sat at the dining table, but I wasn't really hungry.

Bella was my best friend and had always been there for me. Now that her family was in such a mess, I naturally wanted to help.

I kept thinking about how to bring it up with Ethan.

He was the best person to help Bella.

"Emily," Ethan suddenly called out.

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at him.

When he called me like that, it usually meant he had something serious to say.

"This time, I can't help your friend," he said bluntly.

I felt a wave of disappointment but also got it.

Fixing Leonard's problem would take a ton of money.

Helping was a favor; not helping was understandable.

I lowered my head, poking at my food, and mumbled, "I understand."

Ethan put down his fork and patiently explained, "His company's problems are huge. Throwing money at it won't fix them. I could buy them out, but I don't want to. After all, I'm a businessman, and it wouldn't make any sense. The only reason to do it would be to make you feel better."

Ethan had made his point, so I couldn't push him.

I forced a smile. "It's okay; I get it. Lots of people face tough times every day; we can't help everyone."

"Also, this is a good chance to repair their father-daughter relationship."

Ethan's words suddenly made sense to me.

If Zachary solved Leonard's big problem this time, Leonard might genuinely accept this son-in-law from the bottom of his heart.

The next day, I went to the hospital to see Bella. She seemed unfazed, still as carefree as ever.

I told her Ethan might not be able to help, and she nonchalantly said, "It's okay. Zachary said he'd handle it, and I believe him."

actually understood Bella pretty well; she didn't

family love more than

overnight, it might actually be a relief for her. Because now, she was

disaster could turn into a blessing and

home, Ethan mentioned they had booked a hotel for New Year's

never liked me, and I didn't want to make

my head down and stayed quiet. Ethan

to go, and honestly, neither do I.

New Year's Eve. But you should

moment, then gently hugged me,

feel like the luckiest person in

smiled knowingly, feeling a warm flutter

a while, he let go

about we pick a day to go to Greenfield Village and have a reunion dinner with Grandpa?" Thinking of Grandpa's kind face, I felt much better and nodded happily.

holiday on New Year's Eve, and she gave

up, ready to

mannequin, going over what

the holiday, hurry up and go

faint smile. "I'm not in a hurry; you guys go

Year's Eve vibe for years. Since my dad's incident, New Year had lost its charm for

of other families, I felt more cold,

marrying Arthur, New Year

knew about my family situation and probably realized something, sticking out

shook

have a tall, handsome husband? Hurry home; maybe he's already made

didn't say much, just

beauty center was usually buzzing with activity. But today, because of the holiday, it emptied out

Windsor family reunion. Maybe then, Victor would treat me better. I was really

that when I

sore neck, I grabbed my bag and was about to leave when I noticed Aurora's office

saw Aurora lying in her chair, gasping

"Aurora, what's

weakly raised her hand and pointed to the

medicine, and helped Aurora take

few minutes, she felt better,

you left yet?" Aurora asked

I haven't fully grasped what you taught us today, so I

took a few more sips of water and then let out a heavy

asked, "Aurora, why haven't you gone

all. There's no one waiting for me at home, so it doesn't matter where

to ask if she had any family, but I didn't. It felt impolite to pry, and everyone had their own life. Just because Aurora looked glamorous didn't mean she hadn't faced hardships. Often, those experiences led to success. She

your husband is

worried about Aurora's

have my medicine. As long as

leave first, so I

several times,

He was very persistent.

and picked it up. "What do

was different from

for the reunion dinner? She has already accepted you