The Pretend Girlfriend (A Billionaire Love Story #1)(68)

"I'm sorry for being short with you earlier... I didn't know what was up. I'll help you however I can," Gwen replied.

The manner of her help was something she couldn't figure out. She knew nothing about labor laws, safety equipment, all that stuff. And her knowledge of Aiden's charities came mostly from a few MSN news articles and wiki entries.

Aiden gave her hand another gentle squeeze. "Thanks, that means a lot."

Gwen started to bristle, but calmed down when she detected no sarcasm in the sentiment. He really meant it. Maybe, Gwen thought, he just needs moral support. Having someone in your corner when things get rough makes all the difference in the world. Gwen knew that from personal experience, thinking back to the all-too-recent past and the financial and emotional difficulties it entailed. She thought about how Beatrice had helped keep her spirits up. Thinking about their recent fight was like a punch to the gut.

The two of them quieted down, both lost in their own musings even as the car sped down the road, the momentum from occasional turns making them sway gently in their seats. They continued holding hands.

In the back of the Town Car, she silently promised herself two things. One, that she would be there for Aiden when he needed her, in whatever capacity she could manage. Two, that she would win Beatrice's friendship and trust back.

That train of thought continued along its tracks, leading Gwen to think more on trust and betrayal, and how much it hurt when someone you were supposed to be able to trust ended up being the ones you should have stayed away from. And that, in turn, led her to thoughts of Henry Manning.

Apparently, Aiden's train of thought rode along on parallel tracks. "It's just so perfect. If I can't get this under control, and fast, it could mean abandoning all my work. It will prove to Henry that he was right, and that all this work just costs the company prestige and money in the end."

This seemed like a good time to voice her opinion on the matter. "Do you think it was Henry who did it?"

"What do you mean?" Aiden replied.

"Think about it. If you really did put all that work into making that plant safer, I'm sure it was actually safer. He doesn't want you doing all this, so he stirs up some trouble to force you to his side of things."

"He wouldn't do that to the company... The scandal..." Aiden breathed.

It must have been hard for him to hear, Gwen thought. On the face of it, such an act would seem beyond even Henry. But the more she considered it, the more plausible it seemed. Aiden needed to hear it, and she'd promised herself to help him however she could.

"Just think about it, Aiden. The company has weathered bad press before. And I'll bet you this disaster is much smaller than you're being told. Where did your assistant get the information?"

Even though the theory fit, that didn't mean that either of them had to like it. Gwen had actually begun to think that maybe Henry had relented, that maybe he was letting off a bit on the two of them. But she also knew that Henry wasn't the type to give his enemies any breathing room, and time to recover between attacks.

And to Aiden, it must be the next in a lifelong series of attacks designed to bring him in line with whatever image Henry had in mind for him. She couldn't imagine how deep such an act must cut. How could someone's own father do that; so callously destroy the thing their own flesh and blood worked to improve?

Gwen tried to think of how it would feel if her own father deliberately sabotaged her, but failed.

She admired Aiden more, then. What sort of strength of will, of determination, would he need to keep going despite all the setbacks?

Aiden broke in, "From a credible source, apparently. But I think you could be right. This does have Henry's signature on it..."

Excited that he agreed with her, Gwen continued, "I know, right? I mean, just think about the other stuff he's done so far. He's set up interviews, charity events, all sorts of things! This is him stepping up his game!"

That brought a small smile to Aiden's face, "Since he's working so hard to get rid of you, I guess that means you're a keeper."

That took her aback. "What do you mean? Is this all my fault?"

In her attempt to help him figure out the source of this new problem, she hadn't stopped to consider her own role in it. Could it be true, though? Could Henry really be trying to destroy his son's ambitions just to split the two of them up?

Seeing her distress, Aiden held both her hands. "No. Not entirely. Not even by a half, or a quarter. Certainly, you're a part of it. But this has been going on long before you came into the picture."

The hand-holding bolstered her nerves, but still left her less than sure. "So you're saying that even if I gave in and ended it, he still wouldn't leave you alone?"

"He wouldn't. Besides, I need you here with me. I really can't tell you how much of a help you've been."

Gwen felt glad that the cab was darkened. He couldn't see the blush creeping up her cheeks. She never used to blush like this. He simply had that effect on her. Before Aiden, she'd always thought the books and movies exaggerated the effects someone could have on you. It was just one of many new experiences she'd had since he came into her life.

"And unless Henry manages to buy the whole city and demolish it, London will still be there when this is all over," Aiden said.