The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 78

78 Chapter 78 A Call Into The Cold

Blanche’s POV

I knew Drew was orchestrating everything, but I felt utterly powerless against him.

In Oakwood, beyond Zain and Vincent, Drew and Nicholas wielded the most influence.

Apart from Vincent, the remaining factions were tangled together like spider webs.

Challenging Drew meant confronting Zain and Nicholas simultaneously.

Against odds like these, I was completely outmatched.

After getting back to the Callum Mansion, I spent time playing games with Camila before retreating upstairs.

Demetrius still hadn’t responded to my messages, which only amplified my worry.

I attempted calling him once more, but his phone had been switched off.

I’d never experienced online harassment myself, but I understood how internet hatred could destroy most people.

Words typed behind screens cut deeper than any knife or poison.

That night, sleep eluded me completely.

Dawn was breaking when Demetrius finally messaged me back. Demetrius wrote: [I’m fine. Don’t worry about me too much.]

Seeing Demetrius’s response brought me some relief. But guilt washed over me, and I typed back apologetically: [I’m sorry.]

Demetrius responded: [It’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself.]

After exchanging a few more messages, Demetrius went quiet again.

The following morning, despite my sleepless night, I felt strangely alert.

I arrived at Blissfield Villa early and had already prepared soup and simple side dishes.

While sharing breakfast with Carry, I kept stealing glances toward the stairs and entrance, hoping Zain would return soon.

Some battles were beyond my capability, but I was certain Zain could resolve them.

Before long, Zain entered from the front hallway.

The weather was overcast and damp, tiny water droplets clinging to his clothing.

When I spotted him, I realized the desperate urge to seek his help had somehow faded.

But as he moved toward the stairs, I instinctively called out, “Zain?”

Zain stopped mid–step on the staircase and looked back at me. “What do you need?” His tone was frigid, devoid of any warmth.

Joanna appeared at the landing, beaming at Zain. “Zain, you’re home?”

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When I remained silent, Zain shifted his attention to Joanna.

“Yeah. Shouldn’t you be sleeping in?”

Joanna was dressed in silk pajamas, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. She radiated a languid sensuality, her eyes soft and

inviting.

When she spoke, she purposely hushed her voice. “It got a bit loud, so I couldn’t get my beauty sleep.”

I thought, ‘Beauty sleep? Does she mean the kind you need after morning intimacy?‘

Zain continued up the stairs and positioned himself beside Joanna, though his gaze remained fixed on me below. “You don’t need to

arrive this early anymore.”

I was stunned, swallowing the words I’d planned to say to Zain.

‘He and Drew are cut from the same cloth. If I asked for his help, he’d only support his friend, I thought.

I didn’t acknowledge his suggestion or meet his eyes again.

Zain seemed genuinely surprised by my reaction, but he didn’t dwell on it.

As he turned to head to his room, Zain suddenly glanced back at me. “By the way, what were you going to say earlier?”

I replied, “Nothing”

That concluded our exchange.

Zain and Joanna disappeared into their room while I supervised Carry finishing her breakfast.

After breakfast, I drove Carry to school.

During the drive, I couldn’t contain myself any longer and asked, “Carry, could you help me with something?”

Carry was absorbed in her phone, playing games.

When she heard me, she glanced up with curiosity. “Help with what, Mom?”

We hit a red light, and as I pressed the brakes, I turned to Carry. “You’re acquainted with Mr. Stewart, right?”

Carry nodded. “Yes, Mr. Stewart treats me wonderfully.”

I managed a smile, though my expression remained earnest. “Mr. Stewart has a disagreement with one of my friends. Could you perhaps

put in a good word for my friend?”

Carry wrinkled her brow, considering carefully before shaking her head. “If Mr. Stewart dislikes someone, they’re probably not good

people. Why would you befriend someone like that, Mom?”

I frowned, studying Carry. I heard my daughter continue, “Mom, I can’t help you with this.”

“But what if it’s really important to me?” I softened my voice, hope flickering in my eyes.

Carry still didn’t understand. Instead, she reversed roles and began advising me. “Mom, if Mr. Stewart doesn’t approve of someone, you

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should really distance yourself from them.”

I sat back straight, my response quiet and emotionless. “Alright.”

The light changed to green, and I accelerated, the car surging forward.

We rode in silence for the remainder of the trip.

Just before reaching the kindergarten, Carry spoke up. “Mom, can I ask you to do something for me?”

I appeared detached, my voice cold. “Sure, I’ll try my best.”

Carry said, “Mom, could you stop arriving so early to prepare breakfast? It disturbs Miss Joanna’s sleep, and if she doesn’t rest properly,

she won’t have energy for studying or practicing piano.”

I felt like countless needles were piercing my heart. I couldn’t help thinking how ridiculous this was, yet I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.

I said nothing more, simply nodding. “Alright.”

For the following days, I only visited Blissfield Villa to drive Carry to school–no more early morning meals.

Sometimes I encountered Zain, sometimes I didn’t. Occasionally, I’d only see Joanna around.

But frankly, none of that held significance anymore. The scandal about Demetrius being blacklisted from the medical community had

finally begun dying down.

Still, Demetrius continued receiving threats and harassment from numerous people.

He typically kept his phone turned off to avoid the endless calls from strangers who’d somehow obtained his number.

At night, he’d text me briefly to confirm he was safe.

I knew Demetrius was surviving, but I understood Drew remained the source of everything.

Once the current drama subsided, Drew would simply devise new schemes.

Throughout this period, I kept wavering, uncertain whether I should ask Zain to help me escape this deadlock.

After days of indecision, I discovered that Zain had taken Joanna, Carry, Drew, and Nicholas on a beach getaway.

Browsing news on my phone, I saw photos of them enjoying themselves–beachcombing, taking pictures, swimming lessons, and even

scuba diving.

I couldn’t restrain myself anymore; I called Zain directly.

Regardless of everything else, Demetrius was completely innocent. Drew’s manipulation wasn’t just destroying Demetrius’s career; it had

him essentially trapped at home, unable to function normally.

The phone barely rang before Zain answered, ocean waves clearly audible in the background.

“What do you want?” Zain’s voice was glacial, mixing with the sound of surf behind him.

I didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “I need something.”

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Zain seemed momentarily caught off guard, then said, “We’ll discuss it when I return.”

I could wait, but Demetrius might not have that luxury.

If this situation continued, next time it might not be broken glass; it could be Demetrius himself getting hurt.

So without hesitation, I asked directly, “Is there any way you could convince Drew to stop targeting Demetrius?”

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