Chapter 151 A Friend’s Encouragement
Two days later, at the airport exit in Fleuverton, Erin walked out from Exit 10 holding a duffel bag at 9 pm. She looked ahead and quickly spotted Ken standing next to a black sedan. Before she boarded the plane, Roman had called to say that Ken would come to pick her up. Although Erin tried to decline, Roman insisted, so she didn’t refuse any further.
“Ken!” Erin took the initiative to greet Ken, wearing a mask and sunglasses. 1
Upon hearing her voice, Ken recognized her. “Erin, if you hadn’t called me, I wouldn’t have recognized you at all.”
Erin approached him apologetically. “I’m really sorry. Did you wait for a long time? I didn’t expect the flight would be delayed-*
“It’s okay. I’ve been playing games in the car the whole time. Let’s go, Erin.”
Erin nodded and got into the car. Ken closed the door for her and went over to the driver’s seat. Before long, the car left the airport.
Inside the car, Ken expressed concern. “Hey Erin, is your mother ok now?”
“She’s fine. She has been eating more these past two days.” Erin took off her mask and put it in her handbag.
Ken informed her. “By the way, as per your instructions, your good friend Ms. Green has been staying in your hotel room these past two
days.”
Erin asked, “She said she would come to pick me up. Why didn’t she come along?”
Before Ken could answer, Erin’s phone rang. She took out her phone from her handbag and saw that it was a call from Holly.
The moment she tapped on the answer button, Holly’s laugh could be heard over the line. “Erin, have you arrived in Fleuverton?”
“Yes, I just got in the car.”
Holly said, “I know I promised that I would come get you at the airport, but you must forgive me. Prince Charming came to Fleuverton on the same day as you. However, he arrived five hours ago, and we’re having coffee together now!”
A hint of confusion appeared on Erin’s face. She naturally understood who Holly was referring to as Prince Charming. It could only be Simon. Strangely, in just two short days, Simon and Holly had become even more familiar with each other. What was even more peculiar was when Erin was still in her hometown, Holly mentioned that Simon took the initiative to call her and chat. However, no matter what they talked about, it would always circle back to Erin.
At first, Holly couldn’t accept it. But when she thought about Simon’s condition and the purpose behind it, she became more understanding. Even if Simon was using her to gather information about Erin, it was better than him completely ignoring her.
As they gradually interacted, perhaps Simon might develop feelings for her. Holly was looking forward to that possibility quite a bit.
“Then, you two enjoy your drinks. You don’t need to call me,” Erin said with a smile on her lips.
At that moment, Holly’s phone was suddenly snatched away by Simon. He said, “Erin, both Holly and I are waiting for you in the hotel’s café. I brought two Arandrian lobsters. I’ll have the hotel chef prepare supper for us tonight.”
“Hey, why are you so rude-” Holly snatched the phone back and said, “I have something to tell Erin. We can’t let you listen to our girl talk.”
Erin had been silent all along, and Holly went to the restroom with her phone.
As soon as she entered the restroom, she checked each stall to make sure no one was around. Then, she said to Erin, “Erin, let me tell you.” I learned from Simon that Chandler is also in Fleuverton now. He’s staying at the best hotel in Fleuverlon–the same hotel as Alana!”
Erin’s heart constricted upon hearing that, but she pretended to remain calm. “So what if he’s here? It has nothing to do with me.”
Holly was surprised. “Erin, are you really ok with things playing out like this? Chandler hasn’t even called you. Even if you two are really breaking up, shouldn’t you at least clarify things? Don’t you want to ask him what his plans are? Chandler’s grandfather wants to see him. get married and have children as soon as possible. But why can’t that person be you?”
“You’re too naive, Holly. With my current notorious reputation online, do you think I can still enter the Frost family? I don’t want to think. about these things anymore. I understand Chandler’s difficulties, and I’m sick of asking questions that have no answers. There’s no need to make things worse for each other. I’m already grateful that he didn’t say it to my face. At least he’s not that cruel to me.” Erin had to bury her feelings of reluctance and discomfort deep inside her heart.
After spending two days in Southwrok County, she had contemplated a lot in her room late at night. Eventually, she came to a realization- Chandler and she were ultimately people from two different worlds. Since he’d given up on this relationship for the sake of his grandfather. she shouldn’t be a stumbling block for him.
Rather than forcing Chandler to bid her farewell in person, it was better lo silently forget each other.
“Erin, when did you become so timid? When did you become so hesitant in the lace of love? Look at me! Even though I know that Simon is getting close to me to learn more about you and to approach you more conveniently, have I run away? Am I scared? Even if I feel sad inside, I haven’t given up pursuing Simon.” Holly exclaimed emotionally, and her eyes even turned slightly red.
Even after she said such uplifting words, there was still no response from Erin. Holly continued, “I hope you know what you’re doing. In love, there’s always one person who needs to be more proactive. Given the difficult situation Chandler is in, why can’t you be the one to give him courage? Even if he’s wealthy and influential, he’s just an ordinary person, and he also has family members he cares about. Why can’t you ask him about it directly, Erin? It wouldn’t be too late to let go after you confirm with him that he has really given up. Think about Chandler, Erin. Think about his perfect appearance and how he behaved when he was with you. Are you really willing to let go like this? Don’t forget, he and Alana are just good friends, not lovers. What are you afraid of?” Holly went all out to encourage Erin.
Instead of remaining indifferent to her words, Erin was already silently weeping by the time Holly had said all that.
“Erin? Are you there? Say something! Have all my words been in vain, after all?” Holly became a little anxious, vividly recalling how
suppressed Erin’s cries were when she called her in the middle of the night two days ago.
Erin sniffled and wiped away the tears that had streamed down her cheeks. She sighed. “Forget it. I don’t want to pressure him. If he had a better solution, he would have called me already. Holly, I don’t want to talk about this matter anymore. I just want to focus on acting. You and Simon enjoy the lobster together. I’m a bit tired, so I’ll go back to the hotel and rest.”
Not wanting to continue brushing off Holly’s concerns, Erin hung up. To avoid calls from Simon and Holly, she even turned off her phone.
Little did she know that just ten minutes later, Chandler would try to reach out to her. He wanted to tell her that he was currently in the parking lot of her hotel and that he would wait there until he saw her.
But Erin had already turned off her phone.
Over an hour later, when Ken drove into the underground parking lot of the hotel, a black limited–edition Rolls–Royce intercepted them. Four bodyguards in black suits emerged from a black BMW not far away. They positioned themselves in front of each of the four doors of
the van Ken and Erin were in.
Ken felt nervous. If something happened to Erin, how would he explain it to Roman?
He immediately turned his head and asked, “Ms. Lane, should I call the police?”
Erin replied, “Wait.”
She looked at the bodyguards standing outside the car and felt that two of them looked familiar, as if she’d seen them somewhere before. but she couldn’t recall where and when at that moment.
Right then, one of the bodyguards used a technologically advanced wrist device to scan the door handles of the car, and both rear doors opened simultaneously. The two bodyguards gestured for Erin to come out. One of them said, “Ms. Lane, my boss would like to meet with you.”
Erin felt wary, but seeing that the bodyguards didn’t immediately grab her, she surmised that they didn’t have malicious intentions.
“Who is your boss?” Erin asked calmly.
The bodyguard who had spoken earlier held his phone in front of Erin. The man on the screen made her heart race.
“Ken, I’m going to meet that person. He’s my friend, so you don’t have to worry. You can go on ahead.” With that, Erin decisively got out of
the car.
Ken watched as Erin walked toward the Rolls–Royce and got into the car. After that, the four bodyguards returned to the black BMW, and the Rolls–Royce left the parking lot.
He watched as Erin was taken away, and although she’d said the other party was a friend, he still had concerns. He immediately took out his phone and called Roman.
“What? She was taken away? Did you take note of the license plate number?” Roman happened to be done with filming and was in his exclusive dressing room removing his makeup.
Ken replied, “I remember it. It is-”
Roman felt relieved upon hearing the license plate number. He said, “It’s fine. That person is indeed her friend.”
After hanging up, Roman muttered to himself. “You did come for her, after all.”
