NovelStartChapter 198
Jessica sat in the back of a cab, texting Ines.
[On my way. I'll be there in about ten minutes.]
[Okay, I'm waiting for you at the hotel entrance.]
Meanwhile, Sheila, knowing Mr. Smith was something of a wine connoisseur- with a special appreciation for rare
vintages—had arranged for the delivery of two bottles of top-tier wine, aged nearly forty years.
Just then, her phone rang. It was the courier from the vineyard.
Sheila decided she'd meet the courier herself and told him to wait outside The Silverthread Eatery.
As she stepped out to the restaurant's entrance, she was surprised to spot Ines there.
Ines was glancing around, clearly waiting for someone.
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Suddenly, Sheila recalled what Mr. Smith had said earlier he had two very important friends coming. She'd never
met one of them, but apparently both were crucial to him.
Mr. Smith had never been to Riverside City before, so there was only one logical conclusion: his two important
friends were Ines and Jessica.
Sheila's expression darkened.
still, she forced herself to move forward, feigning surprise as she greeted, "Ines?"
Ines turned and, upon seeing Sheila, smiled pleasantly. "You're here for dinner too?"
Sheila returned the smile. "Timothy and Director Smith have been friends for ages. Timothy picked Mr. Smith up
from the airport this time, and he invited a few friends to join them for dinner. | know Mr. Smith as well, so he
askedto calong."
"Oh, I see. I'm here to meet Mr. Smith too."
"Excuse me, are you Miss Sheila Howard?" the courier approached, carrying a leather case designed for wine.
"Yes, that's me. Thank you," Sheila replied, taking the case from him.
She turned back to Ines. "| just cdown to pick up swine. Since you're here for Mr. Smith as well, shall
we head up together?"
"You go ahead," Ines said, glancing at her phone. "I'm waiting for someone."
She didn't say Jessica's name, but Sheila already had a good guess. Still, she smiled and nodded. "Alright, I'll
take the wine up and ask the staff to let it breathe. See you upstairs."
Sheila walked into The Silverthread Eatery and dialed Henry's number.
He answered immediately, recognizing her caller ID.
"Miss Sheila, Dad said you moved out. Why did you move out? | wanted you to stay so we could have a
sleepover, and you could tella story tonight."
"Henry..." Sheila's voice grew heavier, and she paused before continuing, "It's not that | don't want to be with
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmyou. But it seems your mom doesn't likevery much. While | was staying at your house these past few days,
she hardly chome. | don't want to be the reason your mom and dad argue. Henry, could you doa
favor?"
"But Miss Sheila, that's just my mom being unreasonable. It's not your fault. What do you needto do?"
"Can you think of a way to get your mom to chright now? And maybe talk to her ask her to stay at
hinstead of running around so much. Your dad worries about her. | worry about her too."
Henry pouted in frustration. "But | don't want her to chome. She left this morning with a bunch of money,
and she wouldn't even makebreakfast. I'm still mad at her. | don't want to call her."
"Henry, sweetheart, do it just for me, please? If your mom never comes home, | really can't keep coming over to
stay with you."
"Miss Sheila, if | get her to cback, will you csee me?"
Henry still hoped Sheila would be his mom, at least in front of others, so he was willing to help.
"Yes, if your mom comes home, I'll cover and talk to her myself. If | did something wrong or upset her, I'll
apologize. Most of all, | just want your family to be happy, Henry. Don't you miss your mom?"
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