She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 223

A week later, it was time for Hilda to make her move.

She began her preparations.

First, she arranged for her mother, Gardenia, to be sent abroad.

Next, she said her goodbyes to Soren, Naomi, and June.

She entrusted the cosmetics company to Naomi's management. As for Erudite Arts, being an asset-light business, it would continue to be run by the current team. She could easily keep painting from overseas.

With her work sorted, the only things left were personal matters.

Even though she was leaving Luther, Nathan and Eleanor had always treated her with genuine kindness. Knowing she was leaving, Hilda deliberately took Annie to the Sanford family estate to have a private dinner with them. She even made homemade dumplings with Eleanor, storing the leftovers in the fridge because she knew Nathan loved beef dumplings.

When it was time to leave that evening, Hilda gently urged Annie to hug her grandparents and say a proper goodbye.

It wasn't until the car was far down the driveway that Eleanor voiced her confusion.

"What was that about? Why did Hilda's attitude feel so strange? It felt like she was saying goodbye forever."

Nathan wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulders and shot her a look. "The girl is just being thoughtful, and you're complaining? She and Luther have finally worked things out. You should be thrilled. Stop overthinking everything, it'll only upset the kids if they hear you."

Eleanor decided she was just being paranoid.

The couple went back inside to discuss wedding plans.

Ultimately, they decided to let the young couple handle the details themselves.

...

As March 6th drew closer, Hilda grew increasingly anxious.

Fortunately, Luther had been incredibly busy with work lately. He came home late every night, usually in the early hours of the morning. However, there was never any trace of perfume on his clothes. He simply explained that he was handling a massive project for the company.

Hilda didn't suspect a thing.

She had no idea that while she was preparing to run toward her happy ending, Harrell's father, Harrison, had been framed in a major economic case back in Havenworth City. Worse still, Naomi had been falsely implicated in corporate embezzlement, with the 'evidence' submitted directly to Mokshalia in France. Naomi could be arrested at any second.

The trap was set, waiting for a single trigger.

It all depended on whether Hilda chose to leave.

On the night of March 5th, Luther didn't come home at all.

He called Hilda, his voice quiet, saying he had to work late.

Hilda replied with absolute understanding, assuring him it was fine.

She told him she would take good care of Annie.

Luther smiled. "Alright! Once I wrap this up over the next couple of days, I'll have all the time in the world for you."

He was about to hang up when Hilda stopped him. She wasn't entirely heartless; despite their arrangement being a transaction, she had to admit that Luther had treated her and Annie wonderfully recently. With the love and the hatred both faded into nothing, she simply wanted to say a proper goodbye.

Her voice was remarkably soft.

"Take good care of yourself, Luther."

"Stop staying up so late."

On the other end of the line, the man's expression was suffocatingly dark.

He knew exactly what this was. This was Hilda saying goodbye to him.

What was this?

A final scrap of pity?

After a long pause, Luther let out a soft hum. "I will. Sleep well, Mrs. Sanford."

He ended the call.

The very next second, he swept every file on his desk onto the floor.

Every priceless ornament was smashed into pieces.

He had held her in the palm of his hand, given her everything, and yet she still chose Harrell. Did she really love Harrell that much?

Lori pushed the door open.

She was left speechless by the scene.

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