Chapter 20 Good News and Bad News

The banquet concluded, and Gordon personally arranged for Nanci to be escorted home. Brian had been waiting in the courtyard for a while. He had known earlier that Amelia was acquainted with this influential figure, but meeting Brian in person still thrilled him. Gordon shook Brian's hand with fervor, showering him with thanks. "If there's ever anything you need, Mr. Mathis, don't hesitate to ask! I still hold some sway in Alderley!"

Brian responded with a polite smile, "Amelia is a good friend of mine. It's only right to help."

Not far away, Amelia stood with a frown marring her usually cheerful face. Nanci and Brian hesitated to speak as they looked at Nanci.

Brian waved at her. "What's the matter? Why the long face?"

"Will you guys ever come back to Alderley?" Amelia asked, a hint of melancholy in her voice. She was sad at the thought of possibly not seeing her two friends again.

Nanci slightly curled her lips, glancing at Brian. "Given his admiration for your beauty, how could he not?"

Brian, puzzled, blurted out, "What?"

At the doorway that day, the conversation between Amelia and Edward somehow reached Nanci, who had since teased Amelia about it numerous times.

Amelia's face turned bright red with embarrassment. "Don't make fun of me!"

Nanci's smile was mischievous before laughing, "For my friend's happiness and for Brian's future, I have to do whatever I can!"

Amelia was speechless for a few seconds. "Do you want me to sell you out to Edward right this moment?"

Nanci shut up and silently got into the car. It was only after the car had driven away that the courtyard regained its tranquility.

Keith, still puzzled, quietly asked Amelia, "Amelia, what kind of leverage do you have on Miss Ross?"

Amelia smirked darkly, "That's my trump card!"

Seeing that she was not inclined to elaborate, Keith did not press further. He pondered for a moment and then remarked, "Poor Edward. If he had treated Miss Ross better in the past, he wouldn't have had to go through such convoluted efforts."

He was referring to the efforts Edward had expended in searching for Brian, and Amelia nodded in agreement and mocked, "Indeed, poor him! He deserves to never find Dr. Lancy!"

"Miss Ross is quite unfortunate too, wasting three years of her life. Ah, what a pity. Why didn't I meet her earlier?" Keith lamented more absurdly.

Amelia gave him a cold sideways glance. "You're not even her type."

Keith fell silent.

Watching Amelia walk back, he quickly caught up and draped an arm around her shoulder. "My dear Amelia, didn't you say you'd tell me Dr. Lancy's information if I helped you with today's act?"

"A woman, in her early twenties, tall and very beautiful..."

"Stop!" Keith interrupted.

"I don't want to know about Dr. Lancy now. Tell me about your good friend instead."

Amelia paused and looked at him. "Are you serious?"

Keith raised an eyebrow. "What else?"

"You better drop that thought. You aren't the only one after her."

With the Underwood family's protection, Nanci and Brian easily evaded all attention and embarked on their journey back to Woodlands. However, just as they disembarked from the plane, they received a call.

The voice on the other end was as boisterous as ever, tinged with schadenfreude. "Nanci, I've got good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"

Nanci, indifferent, responded, "The bad one."

"Why not the good one first? The good news is that I've worked overtime and finally sorted out your information! Now, when they search for you again, the woman who has been married to Edward Clarkson for three years will be Nanci Ross, the heiress of the Ross family in Woodlands! Do you want to use this to make Edward regret it? Now that I've got it all set up, do you want me to spread the word?"

"No, stop causing more trouble! I don't want him to find out about me!"

Amelia was puzzled, her voice filled with uncertainty. "But he's bound to find out sooner or later! Edward also went to Woodlands. He's likely to contact the Ross family. You'll have to meet him eventually. Oh, that's the bad news."

Nanci yawned halfway and then froze.

Edward was in Woodlands?

Brian had just picked up his luggage and came over. "What's wrong? You look upset. Who offended you?"

"Why is Edward haunting me like a ghost? Why can't he just disappear?" she snapped coldly, pressing her phone screen off harshly and stuffing it into her bag.

Brian was not surprised. "Even if he came to Woodlands, he's here to see me, not you! Relax, this is my turf. We don't have to be afraid of him!"

They reached the airport exit talking like this, and Nanci looked up to see a familiar figure.

Standing at the airport exit was a tall man, dressed in a suit, with handsome features and the latest hairstyle, holding a bouquet of flowers, his face full of expectation.

Soon, a beautiful shadow passed by them and rushed into the man's arms. "Gavin! Have you been waiting long?"

Gavin opened his arms to embrace the woman. "As long as it's for you, I'm willing to wait as long as it takes!"

"Gavin, I've missed you so much! I can't wait to celebrate my birthday and get engaged so we can live together forever!" Nicola nestled against him.

Gavin Mackay held her face and kissed her forehead. "Let's go back first. We shouldn't keep your parents waiting."

Nanci witnessed this scene, but her face was impassive.

It had been three years.

There were some things she no longer cared about.

Whether Gavin had betrayed her back then or whether Nicola had intentionally intruded into their relationship didn't matter to her anymore. Now that she was back in Woodlands, she just wanted to reclaim what was hers.

In the parking lot, Gavin tenderly helped Nicola into the passenger seat.

Just as he closed the door and was about to walk around to the driver's side, he saw a familiar figure who had just gotten into a taxi.

"Gavin, what are you looking at?" Nicola rolled down the window and followed his gaze.

Gavin quickly averted his eyes and shook his head, hurrying to the driver's seat.

Nicola, following his gaze, also spotted the figure and frowned slightly. "Was that Nanci? I think I saw her get into that taxi!"

Gavin started the car while saying, "Impossible. She's been missing for three years. That can't be her."

His words seemed to be meant for Nicola, yet also as if reassuring himself.

Nicola turned to him, her eyes reflecting complex emotions, and a hint of jealousy flickered, but her voice was filled with sorrow. "Gavin, do you think Nanci would forgive me if she were still here?"

"Nicola, don't worry about it. Matters of the heart aren't about right or wrong. She has no right to blame you," Gavin comforted softly.

Still anxious, Nicola added, "I hope to reconcile with her. If she could come to my birthday party this year, how great would that be?"

Gavin held her hand, humming softly in response.