<h4>Chapter 350: Who Is the Woman on the Phone</h4>


    E suddenly remembered that Eric’s flight to Country W would take around twelve or thirteen hours. He likely hadn’tnded yet, so of course, his phone wouldn’t be on.


    "Forget it, I should just try to sleep."


    But that night turned out to be one of the most agonizing of E’s life.


    Thest time they’d argued, their rtionship hadn’t been so deep, and though it hurt, it wasn’t like this. Now, she couldn’t sleep at all, her mind racing, haunted by the image of Eric’s angry eyes, his tightly set face, his brows dark with frustration...


    Finally, near dawn, she drifted off, only to be gued by a nightmare that jolted her awake.


    By the time she looked at the clock, it was already past eight in the morning. She jumped up quickly, relieved she didn’t have an early ss—otherwise, she’d definitely bete.


    By now... Eric should have arrived in Country W, right?


    After a moment of hesitation, E decided to try calling him again.


    This time, the phone finally connected. Her heart raced with a mix of nervousness and hope.


    What should she say? Apologize right away—yes, that’s it!


    The call picked up, and before she could overthink, E spoke up, "Eric... I, I... aboutst night, it was my fault. I’m so sorry!"


    But a woman’s unfamiliar voice responded on the other end. "Haha, who’s this? Eric’s in the shower right now. If you have a message, I can pass it on."


    The ent was thick, a bit clumsy, as if the woman were speaking Country S’snguage for the first time.


    E’s mind went nk. Eric was always protective of his personal phone. How could another woman answer it?


    She heard faint water sounds in the background. Was he really in the shower?


    He’d always been strict about keeping women at a distance, and now there was one in his hotel room, answering his phone?


    A wave of cold washed over E, but a secondter, she shook herself out of it. Eric might be furious with her, but he wouldn’t cheat so suddenly. This had to be some sort of setup by that woman.


    "Please tell my husband his wife called and would like him to return her call," E replied icily before hanging up.


    But who was that woman? And why did Eric have a face that seemed to attract all kinds of trouble?


    Feeling frustrated, E tried to calm herself, knowing she still had an afternoon ss. She decided to go to the hospital first to check on Henry and then head to school.


    From morning until noon, she kept a tight hold on her phone, hoping Eric would call her back.


    But even as her ss started, the phone sat silent, not so much as a single vibration.


    For a moment, E wanted to throw it across the room, but she knew deep down that her own stubbornness had led to this situation.


    Still, he could at least give her a chance to apologize!


    During ss, E was visibly distracted, so much so that Lauren thought it was from spending the night with Eric, teasinglymenting on her dark circles and bloodshot eyes.


    "E, seriously? Did you guys go at it all night? You look exhausted! I bet your back’s sore, right?" Lauren whispered, chuckling.


    "Ugh, shut up!" E red, slumping back in her chair.


    But even when ss ended, her phone remained silent.


    "Did I hit the mark? E, you’re so lucky..." Lauren teased again.


    "Say one more word, Lauren, and I’ll glue your mouth shut with mud!" E shot her a look before grabbing her phone and heading up to the rooftop of the chapel building.


    Worried, Lauren followed her, sensing that something more serious might be going on. She watched as E carefully dialed Eric’s number again, her expression tense and worried.


    The call connected again.


    To her frustration, the same woman with the awkward ent answered once more.


    "Oh, it’s you again? I already told dear Eric you called. He said he’s too busy to call you back!" the woman said mockingly, her voice dripping with sarcasm.


    E was furious, tempted to throw her phone across the room. But arguing with this woman was beneath her.


    "Did you *really* tell him?" she asked coldly, regaining herposure. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Eric might be listening nearby, maybe even smirking at her frustration.


    "Of course I told him," the woman said in a smug tone. "Miss, you really should stop bothering him. He’s in a bad mood, alright? Anyway, I’m off to keep himpany. Bye-bye!"


    The woman hung up abruptly, leaving E fuming. She wished she could sprout wings and fly over there to see for herself what was really going on.


    Sitting on the rooftop’s stone bench, gripping her phone tightly, she tried to steady her emotions. This wasn’t like Eric. She had to believe in him.


    No, she *couldn’t* doubt him. She had to trust him.


    There had to be some trick involved—maybe the woman had somehow gotten her hands on his phone. And that hurried tone at the end? It sounded like she was nervous, maybe worried about getting caught.


    Not wanting to be toyed with, E called John, asking if Eric had gone with anypanions.


    Unfortunately, John confirmed Eric had gone alone, leaving his assistant back in Country S to handle matters there.


    Seeing E’s frustrated expression, Lauren approached her cautiously. "So... did you and Eric have a fight? And... was there a woman on the other end?"


    E gave her an annoyed look. "Why do you have to be so sharp?"


    "Enough sarcasm. Spill it. Maybe I can give you some advice," Lauren said, undeterred.


    Sighing, E recounted what had happened the night before. Lauren’s brows knitted together. "You two argued about Henry? I get why Eric would be upset—it’s only natural, given that Henry is the son of... well, *that* woman, and Eric has some deep-rooted trauma from his past. But I understand your side too. Henry was hurt while protecting you. If Eric were a little more forgiving, maybe he’d see things differently."


    "But considering his childhood... it’s hard to me him. As for the woman answering his phone... it’s definitely suspicious. I don’t think Eric is the type to go off with someone else, even when he’s angry," Lauren said thoughtfully, echoing Amelia’s perspective.


    E gazed up at the overcast sky, a tired look in her eyes. The dark clouds seemed to mirror her gloomy mood, as if rain was imminent.


    "I’ve called him so many times, and he hasn’t called me back even once. What’s the point?" she said, standing up angrily and heading downstairs, her steps heavy with frustration.


    Lauren followed, trying to calm her down. "Maybe there’s something going on we don’t know about!"


    But E’s spirits remained low. She resolved not to call Eric again. Let him be, she thought bitterly.


    She knew that when a couple passed the so-called "golden twelve hours" after an argument,munication only got harder. She’d tried, even reaching out first. Hispleteck of response was infuriating.