How to Destroy a Cheater Without Saying Goodbye novel Chapter 38

The detective said, "She's Mrs. Simmons' half-sister. I'll send you her file."

Hedwig murmured her thanks and hung up.

Her phone buzzed almost immediately with an email from the detective.

Attached was Jeannette's résumé.

Jeannette had been the star of the Ivycrest University business school—a beauty queen by any standard. Eddy had donated an entire academic building to Ivycrest, and Jeannette had gotten in on a special gymnastics scholarship.

The file included Jeannette's admission records, and right below her name, it was boldly marked: "Academic building donated by Eddy Simmons."

So, the rumors were true.

Eddy's eyes drifted from Jeannette's glamorous photo to the section marked "Family."

Father: Pollock Griffiths.

That was the same man Hedwig's sister-in-law had cut from her life years ago. Pollock was Blanche's biological father—now, shockingly, also Jeannette's dad. Jeannette, of all people, had become Blanche's rival.

Hedwig's heart plummeted. She whispered, "My brother's really betrayed her."

The realization hurt more than she could bear.

Her brother had always been the best man she knew, the gold standard for husbands everywhere. She'd even chosen Vincent because he reminded her of Eddy, despite Loraine's objections—her mother had always said Vincent wasn't good enough, that the Yates could never compare to the Simmons family, and that Hedwig was foolish to marry so far from home.

But Hedwig had married Vincent anyway, even with Loraine's disapproval.

Before she learned of Vincent's affair, he'd treated her well—he'd even doted on Tia, their daughter, with meticulous care.

Her brother had come to his senses; he and Blanche seemed to be back to normal.

But Blanche's patience had cost Hedwig everything: her husband, her daughter's father, and her own place in the Simmons family. She could almost feel her mother turning her back on her.

Hedwig's gaze hardened with resentment, and Ingrid could barely contain her satisfaction.

She'd worried that Jeannette's exile might soften Blanche's heart, that all her scheming would be for nothing if Blanche forgave Eddy.

But with Hedwig stirring things up, Ingrid could sit back and watch the drama unfold.

Blanche was never going to forgive Eddy now.

"Your brother and your mother both listen to Laney," Ingrid reminded her, "and if Laney speaks up for you, your mother will never kick you out. Ms. Harvey's memorial is coming up, and I'm sure your mother and brother will put on quite a show for her. If you help out, Laney will remember your kindness. Things will go smoothly for you in the Simmons family after that."