<h4>Chapter 331: Concealment</h4>


    Such a woman—she and Eric are a perfect match!


    There’s no other E in the world! No other woman could be as clever and captivating as she is.


    "Stop it! If you want a kiss, let’s wait until we’re home, not here!" E pushed him away, but her eyes sparkled withughter.


    Out of breath, Eric firmly wiped his lips, saying, "You little devil, just wait until we’re home, and I’ll show you!"


    E’sughter bubbled up, spilling out of the car window, and it seemed to make even the moonlight shine a little brighter.


    After the car drove off, a shadow emerged slowly from behind a nearby column.


    Henry watched silently as the car disappeared, then turned back to his own car, crestfallen.


    Every time he saw E, he couldn’t resist following her for a while, catching a few extra glimpses that left him feeling content.


    This quiet crush of his would stay buried deep inside until the day he let go and his feelings finally faded away.


    Henry took out a mirror and looked at his scarred lower face. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself.


    Eric had arranged for him to meet a renowned professor abroad; in a few days, he would be leaving.


    Leaving Country S—who knows when he’d be back? But his heart would always remain here...


    At the hospital.


    Julia sat on the bed, her face dark with anger. "Let’s go home, and don’t you dare mention tonight to your grandfather. It would kill him."


    Julia was mortified; she, the shrewd old fox, had been yed by E, who even cleared Eric of suspicion!


    Just half an hour ago, Mayor Perez’s secretary had requested the recordings from Leah, leaving Julia’s face grim.


    "Yes, Grandma. And the flowers that Secretary Moore sent..."


    Leah looked at the basket of flowers from Moore’s assistant with a pained expression, mourning their lost evidence.


    That was Frank’s n, one they hadn’t shared with Sean.


    Confident, Julia had thought E would blindly take her deal. After all, it was rumored that her rtionship with Eric was rock-solid.


    But E didn’t fall for it...


    "Just leave them here," Julia said, chest tightening. "If your grandfather asks about them, I won’t know how to exin."


    Leah helped her up. "Grandma, this time... I’ve lost all my face. I wonder if those women will spread that ugly story!"


    A sh of cold light passed through Julia’s eyes. "They’re all high-society types; we can’t touch them."


    Leah was even more disheartened. Her reputation was in shambles, and she had said so many spiteful things that she feared word would spread, tarnishing her even more.


    Both women, weighed down by their thoughts, returned to Carter Group.


    Sean was watching TV; he had a bit of a cold, so he hadn’t gone out to eat.


    "Why sote? Where have you two been?" Sean asked, concerned, noticing Julia’s weary expression. "Why do you look so pale?"


    Julia quickly shook her head. "Oh, nothing, just a bitte from shopping with Leah."


    "Mom, you don’t look well. Are you feeling worn out?" Frank stood up, eyeing her curiously.


    Julia was typically vibrant, whether at home or out in public.


    But a fleeting shadow of gloom passed through her eyes.


    "Probably just tired from shopping. I’ll go rest; you all continue watching." Julia managed a gentle smile, regaining her usual calm.


    Seeing this, Sean didn’t press further and let the housekeeper help Julia to her room for some rest.


    As soon as Julia left, Leah slumped onto the sofa, exhausted. Although Julia had only pretended to faint and wasn’t actually experiencing a heart attack, her health was still a concern. The doctor had diagnosed her with sinus tachycardia, advising her to watch her diet and manage her stress levels.


    "Leah, what’s going on? You don’t look well either," Evelyn said softly, sitting beside her with a look of concern as she noticed Leah’s despondent expression.


    Leah shook her head anxiously. "It’s nothing, really. I just ran into some old ssmates, and I guess it left me feeling a little sentimental."


    Evelyn tapped Leah’s forehead yfully. "You silly girl!" Leah forced a smile, trying to lookposed.


    Sean, however, observed her suspiciously. No matter how much she tried to mask it, he sensed something wasn’t quite right.


    "Did something happen again? Both you and your grandmother seem to be deep in thought!"


    "Oh, no!" Leah quickly waved her hands dismissively. "Grandma and I just went shopping. Grandma was feeling a bit nostalgic seeing all those young girls around. You know how women’s emotions can shift like the wind, Grandpa."


    Leah forced another smile, concealing the panic that shed in her eyes.


    Sean frowned slightly. "If that’s the case, then get some rest. You look worn out too."


    "Yes, Grandpa, Dad, Mom, I’ll go to my room now and rest," Leah said hastily before heading upstairs. Her heart raced every time someone probed her with questions. This constant anxiety was really wearing her down!


    If Sean ever found out about what had happened, he would likely be furious enough to explode.


    After all, people from Carter Group had been involved, and they’d managed to ensnare Eric in a scandal. Yet, somehow, they ended up clearing his name!


    Once in her room, Leah copsed onto her bed, gasping for air. "Damn E!" she muttered bitterly, grabbing her phone and throwing it hard onto the floor.


    "Why does that woman always win? Every single time! I can’t stand it—I won’t ept this!" Leah’s whole body trembled with frustration as she imagined the news of what had happened spreading through their social circles.


    Secrets don’t stay buried forever, and once her family found out, they’d likely despise her even more.


    Leah had once been an extremely capable woman, facing few obstacles aside from Mason’s older cousin.


    But whenever E was involved, things always seemed to spiral out of control!


    "Well... there’s still Be. Hmph, maybe I can use her!" A cold smile crept across Leah’s face as she dialed Be’s number.


    ...


    Over the next few days, Eric still hadn’t held a press conference to rify anything. He was waiting to gather more solid evidence.


    Meanwhile, Sean assumed that Eric had run out of options and saw no path to recovery. Nelson Group had already lost billions in the stock market.


    Old Mr. Carter was in high spirits, given the recent developments.


    Julia, on the other hand, was far from happy. The humiliation she suffered because of E had to be swallowed down in silence!


    "Why have you been so downcast these days, olddy? What’s really bothering you?" Sean asked over dinner, noticing the flicker of worry in Julia’s eyes.


    Julia forced a smile. "Nothing, really."


    Sean narrowed his eyes but decided not to press further. Instead, he smiled warmly and said, "Tomorrow marks our fiftieth wedding anniversary. I’ve arranged a golden anniversary photoshoot for us at the Eternal Bridal Center. We need to be there by nine in the morning."


    Julia was stunned by his thoughtfulness, a wave of warmth washing over her.


    As she thought about it more deeply, she realized... tomorrow was also Ava’s birthday. That wretched woman had been dead for so many years, yet she still couldn’t outshine her.