George's POV:
"Yes, I have."
I ignored the sarcasm in Kendal's remark and nodded in agreement instead.
From the moment I fell in love with Helen, her name was indelibly imprinted in my heart.
There was no room for anything else in my heart, but her.
"Seems like you are not here to have dinner with me but rather to show off your love life to me, right? I
know you just got married.But is it necessary to shove your love life in my face all the time? How can
you treat your single buddy like this?"
Kendal shot me a resentful stare.I abruptly ignored his comments and asked, "Where is Velma? Didn't I
tell you to bring her along?"
"She's so busy filming these days that she doesn't even have time to have dinner with us."
Kendal was fuming mad.
Curling his lip, he said bitterly, "That wicked girl really managed to hook up with Sanford and now she is
having a royal time bragging about their love on social media every day.You two just keep rubbing it in
my face because I am single.You all do it on purpose, don't you?"
I smiled.
Thinking of his messed up relationship with Cece, I didn't say anything more.
Soon, all the dishes I ordered were served.
Kendal and I chatted about random things while eating.
When we were about done eating, I asked him, "Does Leeson Holdings have anything to do with your
family? They are Helen's client now.I heard that a female elder of Velma’s introduce the project to her."
I was too busy to think about the whole thing thoroughly before.
But now that I did, I suddenly realized something was off.
As far as I knew, the Collins family had no connection with Leeson Holdings whatsoever.
Velma was always arrogant and willful, and spent almost every waking moment partying and having
fun.It was not in her nature to care about other people's jobs.
Who was this female elder anyway? Why was she helping Velma? I didn't think that Velma was
capable enough of making the elders of her family introduce good clients like Leeson Holdings to just
anyone, let alone someone she could barely call her friend.It just did not make sense that she wanted
to do Helen such a favor.иσνєℓєвσσк.¢σм
The more I thought about it, the more I suspected that something was wrong.
"An elder of the family? Why haven't I heard from her mention anything like that? Just a minute.I'll call
her now.She's getting so wayward."
After putting down his cutlery, he made a video call to Velma in front of me.
Soon, the phone was connected.
"What's going on?" asked Velma impatiently.
"Velma, did you introduce any clients to Helen lately?"
"No! Why would I do that?"
Velma’s tone was derisive, but she looked perplexed.
This was not good, so I asked harshly, "Who on earth was that lady?"
Velma blinked her eyes rapidly.She pressed her lips guiltily and then spilled the beans.
"Oh, no one special, really.Just someone I know.You don't know her."
Now, I felt very uneasy.Although Velma was arrogant and wilful, it was easy to see through her
because her expressions always gave her away.If what Velma said was true, that lady was someone
we didn't know, then why would she try to hide it?
"Come over here and make things clear.Now!" said Kendal sternly.
"I don't have a minute to spare.I'm still busy filming."
Then she hung up the phone to evade us.I was getting more and more anxious.I picked up the car key
and walked out, ready to go to her then and there and demand answers.
"George, where are you going?" Kendal asked.
Without looking back, I continued to walk out, only saying, "To the filming studio."
"Wait! I'll come with you." Kendal hurriedly followed me.
Then we got into the car and drove off.
Velma'‘s shooting site was a little distance away.I turned on the navigation and was about to drive
there.
On our way, Kendal comforted me, "Bro, don't be so nervous.Maybe you are overthinking."
I didn't respond to Kendal.
All wanted was to reach the filming site as quickly as possible and get my answers.
After a while, I just said, "I can't take any chances."
Helen and I had gotten back on track after much difficulty.
Everything was going well now.I couldn't allow anything untoward to happen.
As we were reaching the filming studio, the security guard outside stopped us.
"Who are you? You don't look familiar."
"Could you please call Velma Collins here? I have to talk to her about something urgent."
"Who are you? Velma Collins is filming and she cannot be disturbed."
The security guard was determined and refused to allow us access.
The place was crowded and it was impossible to spot Velma from a distance.
To make things worse, we couldn't even get in.
Obviously, Kendal knew that I was anxious.
He honked the horn at the door and shouted, "Velma Collins! Come out here!"
I then called up the producer of this crew.
The producer instructed the security guard at the gate to allow us in.
Since Velma was the lead actress in the show, it meant that Spacetime Finance was the investor.So it
was not difficult to find the person in charge.I went quickly to Velma.
Because it concerned Helen, I didn't have the time or patience to beat about the bush with her.I got
straight to the point.
"Was it my mother who introduced Leeson Holdings project to Helen? Did you take her to Helen?"
This matter was of great importance to me so I raised my voice at her.иσνєℓєвσσк.¢σм
Velma quickly hid behind Kendal, with fear in her eyes.
"It's none of my business! Mrs.Affleck went to Spacetime Finance on her own and happened to meet
Helen.It has nothing to do with me!"
Kendal felt sorry for his cousin, so he stood before her and tried to calm me down.
"Be nice.Don't scare her." I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down.
Then I asked in a softer tone, "Why did Erin go to Spacetime Finance? She seldom showed up in
public these past few years.Why did she suddenly go there? Did you say something to her?"
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