Chapter 174 I Promised I’d Help You
Linden scratched the back of his neck. “Mom, what are you doing here?”
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Teresa’s eyes flicked between Linden and Helen, her voice sharp with annoyance. “I should be asking you that. Why are you here? And you’re doing that…”
She stopped, biting back whatever she didn’t want to say, then added, “With people coming and going all around, don’t you think this is a little embarrassing?”
Linden mumbled, “Everyone’s here for the banquet. Who’d even notice what’s going on inside my car?”
Teresa didn’t want to get into it and instead asked, “So what exactly are you doing here today?”
“I’m looking for Dad. Has he shown up yet?” Linden glanced nervously down the street behind her.
Earlier, he’d asked if Teresa would come, and she said she had other plans and that Walter would come alone.
But now that Teresa was here unexpectedly, logic told him she should be with Walter.
Teresa ignored his question and asked, “Why do you want to see your father?”
Linden hesitated before explaining why he came.
Teresa gave Helen a sharp look before turning back to Linden. “Your dad had to leave town for urgent business. If you want to see him, you’ll have to wait another week.”
Helen, quietly listening, frowned. “Why did he go on a trip all of a sudden?”
The timing is too suspicious.
Could Teresa be lying just to avoid lending the money?
A flash of anger crossed Helen’s eyes.
Teresa noticed and said, “Walter’s a busy man. Last–minute trips happen all the time. Don’t doubt me. I’ve got no reason to lie.”
Helen forced a smile. “Teresa, it’s not that I don’t believe you-”
Before she could finish, a voice called out from a distance.
“Teresa, what are you doing out here? Come inside and sit down.”
All three turned toward the voice.
Samantha was walking up from the front gate. Teresa gave an awkward smile. “Okay
Linden looked at Teresa. “Well, since Dad’s not here, I’ll head back.”
Before Teresa could answer, Samantha was already beside them.
coming.”
“Linden! I haven’t seen you in a while. You’ve grown into a fine young man!” She gave him a playful once- over, then looked at Helen. “And you must be … ?”
Chapter 174 I Promised I’d Help You
Teresa quickly said, “She’s a friend of Linden’s. She just had something to talk to him about.”
“Oh, got it.” Samantha nodded but kept her eyes on Helen.
Seeing Helen close to Linden, she guessed they were more than just friends.
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Still, she wasn’t in the mood for gossip. Smiling, she said, “Dinner’s about to start. Let’s head inside.”
Linden hesitated. “Samantha, I’ve got something to do, so I won’t stay long.”
Samantha grinned. “Whatever it is, you gotta cat first, right? Come on in. You can deal with your business after dinner.”
Teresa added, “Yeah, just come inside and eat something before you go.”
Unable to refuse, Linden followed Samantha and Teresa inside.
Helen stayed close, lowering her voice. “Your dad’s not here. What do we do now?”
She wasn’t in the mood for dinner–she just wanted to get the money quickly.
Linden frowned a little. “We’ll talk about it after dinner.”
“But…” Helen grabbed his arm tightly, worry clear on her face.
Linden gently lifted her hand off his arm and patted it. “Don’t worry. I promised I’d help you, and I will.”
His words soothed Helen’s anxious heart.
Inside, Samantha went to greet other guests.
Teresa spotted someone she knew and turned back to Linden and Helen. “Find a seat and don’t wander off
Though she spoke to both, the warning was really meant for Helen.
The Nielsen Residence was even fancier than theirs, with a backyard full of rare, beautiful flowers.
Linden didn’t care about flowers or plants, but Helen, being a woman, was naturally drawn to them.
She might even want to pick a few.
“Don’t worry, Mom,” Linden said calmly.
Only then did Teresa feel comfortable enough to walk away.
After she left, Linden looked around the whole front yard.
Tables were set everywhere, so he grabbed Helen’s hand and led her to the nearest empty seat.
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