Chapter 374
She would never allow something like that to happen.
Shepard said, “Let me think for a moment. We need a plan.”
The three of them huddled together, each offering their own ideas. Their goal was the same: they wanted to acknowledge Lionel as family, but couldn’t let Effie and the others find out.
Effie and Nita were out shopping together. Nita had just closed a major deal that day, earning herself a generous commission. Feeling elated, she insisted on treating Effie to a day out and a good meal.
Suddenly, Nita sneezed. She laughed, “Honestly, every time I have free time, I drag you out with me to shop or hang out. Isn’t your husband going to hate me for stealing you away all the time?”
Effie grinned. “You sneeze because your nose tickles, and now you’re blaming my husband for it?”
Nita rolled her eyes. “Listen to you! Always leaping to his defense! You’re not the same Effie you used to be.”
Effie looked at her helplessly. “I swear, I haven’t changed.”
Meanwhile, Jacques was trudging along behind his mother, Camilla, as she browsed one boutique after another. For him, being dragged out like this was pure torture.
Bored, he let his eyes wander around the mall-when suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of an unexpected face.
It was the girl he’d seen at the gates of the Etheridge family estate that day.
Fidelia!
Jacques muttered her name under his breath and immediately hurried in Effie’s direction.
His mother, Camilla, had just spotted a necklace she liked. She turned to ask, “Jacques, what do you think of this one?”
There was no reply.
Camilla spun around, only to find that her son, who’d been right beside her a moment ago, was already halfway to the entrance.
She called after him a few times, but Jacques didn’t seem to hear.
But when Jacques rushed outside, Effie was nowhere to be seen.
A wave of disappointment washed over him. Had he imagined it? Was he missing
Effie so much that he’d started seeing her everywhere?
At that moment, Fidelia was walking by with a cup of tea in her hand when someone bumped into her, nearly knocking her over.
Jacques happened to be right next to her. He reacted instantly, steadying Fidelia before she could fall.
For a moment, Fidelia stood frozen. When she realized who had caught her, her heart skipped a beat-Jacques, with that strikingly handsome face.
“Th-thank you,” Fidelia stammered, still dazed.
Once Jacques saw she was okay, he quickly let go and said, “As long as you’re alright.”
Fidelia could feel her heart pounding so loudly it seemed ready to leap from her chest.
Just before she’d been bumped, she thought she heard someone call her name which was probably why gotten distracted in the first
she’
им
place.
She never expected a random accident would lead to such a strange and
wonderful encounter.
But Jacques had his mind elsewhere-still preoccupied with thoughts of Effie-so he hurriedly excused himself and walked away.
Camilla, who had followed him out, witnessed the whole thing. For the first time, she saw her son, who’d always seemed so indifferent to women, being so attentive to a girl.
Once she got a good look at Fidelia, Camilla’s mind started turning with new ideas.
“Fidelia?”
“Mrs. Crawford.” Fidelia greeted her with a warm, polite smile.
The more Camilla looked at Fidelia, the more she liked her. She nodded approvingly. “Are you out shopping today?”
“Yes, I’m meeting a friend to catch a movie,” Fidelia answered.
“A boyfriend?” Camilla couldn’t help asking, even though it was a bit forward.
Fidelia blushed and shook her head. “No, just a college friend.”
Almost involuntarily, she added, “She’s a girl.”
Camilla felt a surge of hope-maybe there was a chance here!
She smiled, “That young man you just met is my son, Jacques. He’s just returned from studying abroad,
astly, he’s still a big kid at
heart.”
Fidelia’s eyes lit up instantly.