waking

Chapter 148

Jessie had lived it, and she sipped her champagne, feeling for both Naomi and Alfred. Alfred had rescued her from a living nightmare, yet she couldn’t find it in her to forgive those who’d left her behind.

“Jessie, I’ve never stopped looking for my sister,” Alfred said, his eyes welling with the love of family.

“Mr. Edwards, you gotta know you’re the only one who keeps looking for your sister. After adopting Ivy, your folks and brothers called off the search for Naomi,” Jessie said, finishing her drink. “If I hadn’t been in this hunt with you, I wouldn’t have noticed right off that Naomi’s got your mom’s eyes.”

“If you wanna tell her real identity, I won’t stand in your way,” Jessie said. After musing, she added, “Laying it all on the line might just turn things

around.”

Jessie meant it. Naomi might be up for a family reunion if she craved those ties, but if she’d moved on or even despised the idea, forcing it would only push her away.

One wrong move would change the outcome.

Jessie could tell from being around Naomi that the family wasn’t on her radar.

All she did was climb the ladder, even linking up with the notorious Shawn, a guy with a reputation that would make most people think twice before getting close to him. But there Naomi was, hanging tight and looking good.

Jessie didn’t know what Naomi had given up, but it was clear Naomi’s heart had no room for the folks who gave her up.

“Mr. Edwards, you’ve already dipped your toes, haven’t you?” Jessie lightly smiled as she headed toward John, asking over her shoulder, “What do you do if someone takes a swing at your sister?”

Alfred shook off his daze and quickly followed.

John was nearly on stage, and Naomi just eyeballed him, cool as a cucumber.

In over a month, she’d soaked up all she needed from school. Elaine might have kept up the tough act with her sharp tongue, but the resources she handed over were gold.

Especially today, with Bridget and Coco giving her a boost. With one look at Coco’s enviable, perfect skin, the high–class clientele would be knocking on her door soon. Who didn’t want to look their best?

Naomi was just banking on those rich and beautiful ladies wanting in on her services.

And the dress Coco had on tonight? People were already whispering, trying to find out who designed it.

The black–and–white vibe was just classic. The dress set Coco off, elegant and drop–dead gorgeous. As soon as she stepped in, all eyes were on her.

First, they looked at the dress and then at the lady in it.

Sometimes, it was the person that made the outfit. Other times, it was the outfit that made the person. Tonight, Coco was the showstopper.

John rushed onto the stage, making a beeline for Naomi, but Bridget blocked him. “John, what’s up?” she said, her voice calm but firm. “We’re all eyes on you. A deal’s a deal. You lost, and that’s it. Naomi’s with me, so messing with her is messing with me.”

A voice from the crowd piped up, “Dr. Eaton, if you gotta say sorry, do it with class. If you lose, just admit it. Otherwise, who’s gonna want to make bets with you?”

“Totally! If you can’t outdo ‘em, just own up,” someone else chimed in, nodding.

“Dr. Eaton, you’re showing your mad face. I mean, a big shot like you losing to a girl? That’s gotta sting,” another person teased.

“Ms. Hopper, I’d like to get in touch with Ms. Edwards,” a lady in a fancy Chanel dress stepped forward, smiling warmly at Naomi. “Never judge a book by its cover. Her youth doesn’t mean she’s incapable. I like what Ms. Edwards does and want her to check on my family’s health.”

Naomi smiled gently, “Thanks for the praise, but I’m not a doc. I’ve got some know–how with scars, but I won’t pretend to be an expert on everything.”

The lady just smiled wider. “I like your honesty, Ms. Edwards. If you can do it, great. If not, no biggie. I’ll hit you up if I need you. Can I get your

card?”

“Sure, but after Dr. Eaton says he’s sorry,” Naomi replied, still smiling sweetly.

“Got it,” the lady agreed.

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Chapter 148

Then Naomi turned back to John, tilting her head a bit, her smile never fading. “Dr. Eaton, I’m ready for your apology. Are you ready?”

Naomi’s eyes were innocent, making it hard for anyone to feel bad toward her. Sometimes, looking cute and innocent was the best cover–up.

John took a few deep breaths and then forced a smile. “Ms. Edwards, I’m sorry for what I said last month.” But his malicious eyes said he was just waiting for the right moment to get back at her after the party. ‘How dare a young girl make me so embarrassed in front of everyone!‘ he thought.

Naomi just smiled wider, “No worries, Dr. Eaton. I accept your apology.”

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John was seething inside, clenching his fists, but he kept it cool, waiting for a chance to ruin her pretty face.

“Come on, Naomi, let’s go,” Bridget said, pulling Naomi and Coco off the stage.

Bridget didn’t have to show John respect at all. She had bodyguards on standby, just in case.

As they walked into the crowd, people were eager to know how Naomi had helped Coco’s face heal so well.

Meanwhile, Coco looked at Naomi like she was her hero.

Standing in the middle of the crowd, Naomi chatted with everyone, cool as a cucumber and not at all nervous.

In her previous life, the Edwards family had stopped her from getting ahead, but she’d kept learning in secret.

Alfred watched from a distance, thinking, ‘My sister’s really something!‘

Coco showed everyone on her phone how her face had changed day by day with the treatment, and everyone was amazed by the power of herbs.

After talking to everyone, Naomi had a handful of business cards. These were all potential big spenders, and she planned to keep them close.

Meanwhile, Shawn was in the loop about everything going on. He checked in with the med research team to make sure the scar cream from the last trial was all good, and then he called Naomi.

For over a month, Shawn hadn’t gotten enough sleep. For most nights, he was up, tossing and turning. He started out keeping his cool, but as the days dragged on, his fuse got shorter and shorter.

In one day, he’d chewed out nearly every top exec. A couple of times, he’d even gone physical–though he hadn’t hit anyone, he had smashed a bunch of pricey stuff.

четок

Chandler was quaking in his boots, wanting to call Naomi for help, but she was swamped and had no time to take his SOS. Even if she had heard, she was too far away to do anything.

Shawn dialed Naomi’s number.

Naomi, at the party, glanced at her phone and stepped away to answer it. “Hello, Mr. Fischer,” she said, her voice as steady as a rock, with none of the old cheer. That just stoked the fire in Shawn’s gut.

In the past month, she’d been talking to him like this–flat and polite. When he pushed, she’d still swear loyalty, but Shawn could tell things were

off.

*Fischer Pharmaceutical Company is about to roll out your scar cream,” Shawn said, biting back his frustration. “Bridget’s a solid partner, and Coco and Derek are perfect for endorsements. Naomi, you know the drill, right?”

Naomi paused for just a beat before replying quickly, “I do. Thank you, Mr. Fischer.”

“Naomi, get back here soon,” Shawn said, his voice heavy.

Naomi’s tone was as respectful as ever. “Okay, Mr. Fischer.”

Shawn hung up quickly. He was afraid if he listened more, he’d snap. He thought, ‘How can she be so cold to me?‘

Naomi clutched her phone, took a few deep breaths, and then hustled towards Bridget.

She’d walked pretty far to take the call away from the crowd. There was a man–made river near the manor, the water decently deep, with lights at the bottom that lit up the fish swimming around.

Naomi wasn’t in the mood to enjoy the view and rushed back. But she hadn’t taken more than a few steps when John stepped in her way.

John glared at her, his face dark. “Ms. Edwards, you’ve got guts, making me say sorry. Today, you’ll see what happens when you cross me.”

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Chapter 148

Naomi stepped back, and without a second thought, she turned and ran.

“Get her,” John barked, and four or five guys took off after her.

When one couldn’t fight, they should run. When one couldn’t run, they should scream. So Naomi screamed at the top of her lungs, “Help!!!”

But the crowd on the lawn had been ushered into the villa’s hall without anyone noticing where music was blasting, and everyone was dancing.

Naomi’s heel twisted, and she tumbled onto the grass.

“Ms. Edwards, let’s see how you can get away now,” John said with a wicked grin. Other five men closed in around her.

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