Chapter 36
The setting sun bathed the mansion in a warm orange glose, painting the clouds a soft peach hue that were reflected in the rippling fountain. Servants moved about with purpose, each attending to their duties with practiced efficiency. On a sleek, small table, a plate of macarons sat, half- eaten, beside a cup of cooling tea.
As twilight deepened, the last rays of sunlight crept across Stacy’s chaise lounge, enveloping her in a cocoon of perfect warmth. Everything seemed perfectly in place.
But a vibration from her purse broke the tranquil moment. Stacy Lazily raised the teacup to her lips, savoring one last sip of tea before languidly fishing out her phone.
“Rocco, have you had dinner yet?” she asked, rising to her feet and heading indoors. The garden, lovely as it was, had far too many prying eyes and cars for private conversations like this.
“Here is the thing. Maura’s been taken away too Rocco’s grim voice came through.
“What?” The words hit Stacy like a punch to the gut. The steady tap of her high heels faltered, and the elegant rhythm of her steps wavered. Shock coursed through her, the air suddenly thick with tension.
Gone was her easy–going tone. Her voice dropped to a furious whisper. “What was it you promised me she demanded, her fingers tightening around the phone. “You swore that those men were professionals, that Maura wouldn’t be hurt in the slightest. How could you mess up something
o simple!“
to the
The distant honk of a car horn drifted up from the driveway, Jaxon, fresh from work, took the elevator straight from the underground garage to living room, briefene in hand.
“Mr. Crawford” A maid greeted him with a respectful nod.
Jason tossed his briefcase onto the couch, loosening his tie as he scanned the room. “Where’s Stacy?”
“Shes in the bedroom, sir. On the third floor.”
Jaxon nodded, making his way upstairs.
In the bedroom. Stary was pacing back and forth, her fury reaching a fever pitch. “You useless fool,” she snarled into the phone. Tin telling you, if anything happens to Maura, you’ll never get another penny from me again”
Rocco, feeling the pressure of her wrath, could only swallow his pride and try to calm her down. He couldn’t afford to lose the money she provided.
“Don’t worry: Caleb has Aurora’s photo. He’s not face–blind; there’s no way he’d mix them up, he said, his voice soothing. “And he promised me that the moment Maura wakes up, he’ll let her go. He’ll even personally make sure she gets home safe”
Stacy’s anger started to ebb away, and she let out a small, relieved sigh. “Alright,” she muttered, but anxiety still gnawed at her. “Put Maura on the phone. I need to hear she’s safe myself”
Just then, Jaxon reached the third floor and pushed open the bedroom door, catching the tail end of Stacy’s conversation
Nouring Stacy paring on the balcony, he quietly moved closer, his mind racing. Something happened to Maura?
stacy, with her back
ack to the door, was oblivious to his approach, entirely absorbed in the call
Maura’s voice came through in the phone, and whatever she said only seemed to fuel Stacy’s irritation.
“No, that’s too risky. What Aurora slapped your Stacy fumed. “Well, if you insist. But stay far away from that stuff, it’s dangerous. Don’t worry about Aurora, she’s tough enough to handle herself.
Jaxon stopped in his tracks, a creeping suspicion starting to form. He stood silently behind Stacy, listening intently. Though he only caught fragment, the truth was becoming increasingly clear.
Stary, still unaware of him, continued with a casual smirk, her manicured fingers lightly tracing the ornately carved balcony railing “Don’t worry, that drug might be addictive, but it won’t kill her. It’d be too easy an out for that country bumpkin to die so quickly.”
Besides, Stacy thought, we still need to get our hands on her mother’s assets. If she dies now, it’ll all go to some charity
She then asked Maura in hand the phone over to Calebs, and her one inediately sharpened as she berated him, fully embracing her role as the one in charge. She knew full well that Caleb wouldn’t hurt Maura–not when he still had money coming his way–and that thought put her
somewhat at rave
Hur before she could fully relax, a deep male voice from behind made her freeze. “What have you been hiding from me?”
11-37 AM
Chapter 36
The sudden voice startled Stacy so badly that she almost dropped the phone. For a split second, cold sweat beaded on her skin as fear gripped her- she thought someone had caught her red–handed
Turning around, relief flooded her as she recognized Jaxon. Rather than explain immediately, she shot a nervous glance towards the doorway, terrified someone else might be overhearing
Jaxon, his expression unreadable, calmly removed his jacket and hung it on the rack. “Relax, we’re alone.”
He sank into an armchair, rubbing his temples with closed eyes. “Now, tell me. What are you planning to do to Aurora?”
Stacy, finally at ease, swiftly made her way over to Jaxon’s side and perched on the armrest. With honeyed words, she reframed her vengeful plot against Aurora as an act of devotion to her husband.
“Honey, Aurora’s been nothing but trouble since she returned. Not only did she offend the Newtons, but she even slapped Maura. Honestly, it’s outrageous.”
The mention of the Newtons brought a frown to Jaxon’s face. He recalled how Aurora had humiliated them at the Lloyd family’s party, even leaving with Beatrix’s diamond bracelet. The Newtons had always been known for holding grudges: despite Maura’s engagement to Josh, Jaxon had felt their cold shoulder ever since. If not for Aurora, he wouldn’t be enduring such humiliation
be
Stacy chuckled softly, wrapping her arm around Jason’s neck as she leaned in, her voice sweet and coaxing. “Honey, I’m your wife. Aurora may not
my biological daughter, but since I love you, I treat her as my own. And as her mother, isn’t it my duty to discipline her when she’s out of line?”
Jaxon’s expression softened slightly at her words. He nodded, trying to present himself as the reasonable one. “You’re right. She’s definitely picked up some bad habits. A little discipline wouldn’t hurt.”
“However…” He then hesitated, eyes clouding with concern as he turned to face Stacy “I heard you mentioning some addictive stuff. If people find out, we could face serious legal consequences.”
“Just hit her if you must,” Jaxon added casually, as if they were talking about punishing a disobedient pet. “If that’s not enough for you, break one of her legs. But those drugs…. let’s avoid those
Jaxon’s thoughts drifted. ‘Aurora’s quite the loser, after all. I’ve been thinking about taking her to some business dinners. If she can help me land some lucrative contracts, that’ll be worth more than getting rid of her just yet?
Stacy’s eyes glimmered with hidden triumph. As I expected, no one truly care about Aurora
“Honey, think a
it” Stacy gave Jaxon a light punch on the shoulder and playfully pouted, “Remember the party last time? Aurora could have helped you connect with Mr. Harrison, but instead, she kept embarrassing you. She’s nothing but a rebellious troublemaker.
