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."

Bella pretty well; she didn't care about her dad's

real family love more than

had lost everything overnight, it might actually be a relief for her. Because now, she was all

into a blessing and help them fix their

home, Ethan mentioned they had

liked me, and I didn't want

quiet. Ethan

go, and honestly, neither do I. We'll have dinner at

looked at him. "I don't want to go because I'm not welcome, and I don't want to ruin everyone's New Year's Eve. But you should go; after all,

looked at me for a moment, then gently hugged me, rubbing his cheek against

I suddenly feel like the

a warm flutter in my

a while, he let

to go to Greenfield Village and have a reunion dinner with Grandpa?" Thinking of Grandpa's kind face, I felt much

on New Year's Eve, and she

was packing up, ready to go

a mannequin, going over

up and go home for New Year's Eve,"

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

the New Year's Eve vibe for years. Since my dad's incident, New Year had

families, I felt more

marrying Arthur, New Year didn't feel particularly

classmate, knew about my family situation and

and shook my head.

the way, don't you have a tall, handsome husband? Hurry home;

didn't say much,

usually buzzing with activity. But today, because of the holiday, it emptied out fast. I sat down to review, thinking about

way more confident at the Windsor family reunion. Maybe then,

hunched over for so long that when I tried to straighten up,

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

I saw Aurora lying in her chair, gasping

"Aurora, what's

raised her hand

the medicine, and helped

a few minutes, she felt

why haven't you left yet?" Aurora asked

not in a hurry. I haven't fully grasped what you

few more sips of water and then let out a heavy sigh. "Emily,

"Aurora, why haven't you

for me at home, so

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,

is waiting for you,"

worried about

to understand my concern and smiled. "Don't worry. I have my medicine. As long as I take it on

I leave first, so I

had called several times, but I hadn't

He was very persistent.

take it anymore and

end was different from

my grandma's house for the reunion dinner? She