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."

understood Bella pretty well; she didn't care

love more than

everything overnight, it might actually be a relief

could turn into a blessing and help them fix

they had booked a hotel for New Year's Eve

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

kept my head down and stayed quiet. Ethan pulled me close, letting me lean on

honestly, neither do

want to ruin everyone's New Year's Eve. But you should go; after all, he's your dad.

a moment, then gently hugged me, rubbing his cheek against

feel like the luckiest person in the

smiled knowingly, feeling a warm flutter

he

dinner, but Grandpa didn't want to come. How about we pick a day to go to

beauty center started its holiday on New Year's Eve, and she gave everyone

packing up, ready to go home

fiddling with a mannequin, going over what

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

and gave her a faint smile.

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

the liveliness of other families, I felt more cold, lonely, and

Arthur, New Year didn't feel particularly

my family situation and probably realized something, sticking out her

smiled and shook my head. "It's

way, don't you have a tall, handsome husband? Hurry home; maybe he's

didn't say much,

with activity. But today, because of the holiday, it emptied out fast. I sat down to

I'd feel way more confident at the Windsor family reunion. Maybe then, Victor would treat me better. I was

long that when I tried

was about to leave when I

open, and I saw Aurora lying in her

what's wrong? Where's your

weakly raised her hand and

and

a few minutes, she

you left yet?" Aurora asked

grasped what you taught us today, so I stayed

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

why

There's no one waiting for me at home, so it doesn't

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

husband is waiting for you," Aurora

worried about Aurora's

my medicine. As long as I

I leave first, so I

called several

He was very persistent.

couldn't take it anymore and picked it

the other end was different

the reunion dinner? She has already accepted