Still You Still Me Still Falling novel Chapter 134

Sheila let out a frustrated groan.

Given their history, she was in absolutely no position to be brokering business introductions for him.

She at least had that much self-awareness.

That was why she had tried to explain the situation to him. All he had to do was blow them off tomorrow, and she'd be off the hook.

She could just tell Clarence that she tried, but Edmond didn't respect her enough to show up.

She couldn't just reject Clarence outright. He had made it abundantly clear that this man had saved his life.

If she walked away, Clarence might act fine to her face, but would he go home and take his frustration out on her aunt?

She couldn't risk that. Her aunt was the only real family she had left, and she viewed Simon like a younger brother.

She wasn't going to make life difficult for Clarence. The only way out of this mess was through Edmond. All he had to do was reject them.

Instead, he had hung up on her mid-sentence.

After thinking it over, Sheila shot a text to Clarence: *Just a heads-up, Mr. Halley probably won't show up tomorrow.*

Clarence immediately called her back. "What happened? Didn't he agree to come?"

"We really aren't that close," Sheila insisted. "I seriously doubt he's actually going to show."

"You scared me," Clarence sighed. "I thought he had called you back just to reject you. Look, don't worry about it. We'll show up tomorrow regardless. If he comes, great. If not, we won't push it."

"I'm ninety-nine percent sure he won't be there."

"Then it is what it is. I don't want to put you in a tough spot, Sheila. Whether he shows up or not, I promise I'll never bother you about Edmond Halley again."

"Clarence—"

"My hands are completely tied with this," he admitted. "I've owed Lanny a debt for years. Once this dinner is over, I can finally consider my ledger clean."

Hanging up, Sheila prayed to every higher power that Edmond wouldn't show his face tomorrow.

Lanny knew that pushing any further was crossing a line.

But this was his absolute last lifeline.

If he let it slip away, his company was dead.

"Clarence, please..."

Before he could finish, Clarence shook his head. "I know you're desperate, man, but if Mr. Halley doesn't want to come, there's absolutely nothing we can do about it."

"Maybe... maybe he just got held up with something?" Lanny pleaded. "Sheila, could you... could you just try calling him one more time? We can reschedule for another night! Anything!"

Clarence shot Sheila an apologetic look.

Sheila remembered how Edmond had hung up on her last night. If she called him now, there was zero chance he'd pick up.

She nodded. "Alright, I'll try one last time. But please understand, men like him are untouchable. I'm worried that if I push it, he'll just block my number. So, this is the absolute last time."