Chapter 24
Gloor, paper sheria i stered sosial her. Her hair fanned out an rom
(her handbag nighth, her fier filled with worry. The shop baks of her high heels
i every year, to most of the
eliarly before leading the way
alem and profesional, replied clearly, “Miss Costend passed out for to water in her lings, bon bar kaly
a manyang a slighi lever ban with mat, she’ll be fine in a few ialaya”
was clean, soi
angh
ched Maura’s room. The nurse koos ked on the door grosity and openeikit after hearing a response from inade. the bed, immediately opened her arms when she saw Stacy, her face crumpling as she began to cry in frustration and
jaht. She hurried over to Maura, gently patted her back, and soothed her in a soft voice, “I’y aki
ince before Maura luully calmed down.
de al coll farting words and gentle reassurance
okay, honry. I’m
så ups, turning to Victor, Damon, and Alison, who were all standing in the room. She gave them a grateful smile and said, uch for bringing Maura to the hospital. I was terrified when I got the call. My legs almost gave qut. I’m just so relieved Maura’s
walked over to Victor, clasped his hands in hers, and thanked him profusely “Mr. Olsen, I really can’t thank you enough. Orice Maura’s
I make sure to thank you properly. Please don’t reject us.
mrpland with
chuckle while shaking his head. “Mrs. Crawford, there’s no need for all that. Tan Maura’s teacher–it’s just part of my job?
He had been waiting for this moment, after all. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been the one to help bring Maura to the hospital with Alison, let alone mush to pay for the cab fare.
Stacy inated be accept the offer, and Victor hnally gave a reluctant nod.
Damon, thank you as well. Maura’s so lucky to have friends like you. I’d love to have you both over for dinner sometime soon. Stacy were amooth and gracioun, making sure to acknowledge everyone in the room.
r the stall talk and goodbyes, the room fell quiet again, giving Stacy the chance to fully ask Maura what had really happened. “Maura, tell me 1+ goung on. Why were you at the pool It’s freezing right now–what were you thinking, wimming in this weather?”
school hadist given many details over the phone, leaving Stacy to assume Maura had just been reckless and gone swimming in the cold for
“Mom “The moment. Maura tried to speak, her tears welled up again. She had never suffered such a humiliating loss. Everyone thought Aurora had used her, but no one knew the truth that Aurora had shoved her head underwater, practically trying to drown her
Her mother was the only one left who she believed would take her side.
Aurora wanted me dead, Maura sobbed, sull shaken from the experience. All their previous clashes had been petty, just minor arguments But this time, when Aurora had shoved her underwater, when the water had surged in from every direction and her strength had drained away, she had really thought the was going to die.
In her patiful state. Maura seemed to forget about the time at the Lloyds banquet, when she had pushed Samara and her Aurora had been outnumbered, with no one to defend her, and far more helpless than Maura was now.
r mother to attack Aurora.
After hearing Maura’s tearful story, Stacy was boiling with anger. She swept the cup off the table and sent it crashing to the floor. The water, mixed with shards, splattered across the floor. A few drops hit the pristine white bed sheets, leaving dark, stained spots
1/2
Chapter 24
Sucy mailed her voter low and full of venom. “That line witch. I won’t let her get away with this?
“Agol kabted in some run down orphanage in the countryside and brought home to enjoy the luxuries–only to turn around and lay hands on the richafed shaughter of the hungar di sundorgivable, Stacy thought hinterly.
Preally underestimated her. Stacy muttered through clenched teeth. Her daughter and son were her pride and joy, and she would never allow anyone to harm them
sury gently patted Maira’s hand her voice soft but dripping with disdain. “Honestly, why are you wasting your time on someone like her? A nobody like that doesn’t even deserve your attention. If you don’t like her. I’ll just have somente take care of her. No need to get yourself hurt over setmething so trivial.
Stacy disdn’t take Antora seriously at all. She had seen how Jaxon treated Aurora–if he truly cared for her, he wouldn’t have left her stranded in the countryside for mert a decade.
Carching the meaning behind her mother’s words, Maura perked up. “Moir, ilo you have a plan?”.
Over the years, Maura had seen her father keep p more than a few mistresses, but her mother had never lost her place as Mrs. Crawford. No scandals. no drama of illegitimate children. It was clear her mother knew exactly how to handle things.
Stacy’s gaze drifted to the broken glass on the floor, the sharp edges glinting in the light. Her eyes were colder and more dangerous than the shards. She spoke in a low, steely vice. “Don’t worry, sweetie. Ill make sure that bitch pays.”
How she’d do it wasn’t something Maura needed to know.
Being Jason’s wife, Stacy had a good sense of how his mind worked. His decision to bring Aurora back after all these years wasn’t out of some sense of family duty. It had to do with whatever Aurora’s mother had left behind
If that’s what Jason wanted. Aurora could keep her life. Stacy thought she could at least give Aurora a piece of her mind. Anyway, no one would care
about her
“Meanwhile, on the highway from Mereida to Kellynobia, a line of rare luxury cars sped past, causing heads to turn and drivers to stare
Mr. Harrison, we should reach Kellynobia by this evening Harry said from the front seat, the blur of trees whizzing by. He held a fold documents on the Maxwell family.
er filled with
Daxon sat in the back, his tall frame exuding a quiet, intimidating power. He absently turned a blood agate over in his hand, the light flickering across his sharp, silent face as the car flew down the road.
This bloodstone was something he tracked down through the black market, following a lead from Aurora. After verifying it, there was no doubt–it was the time one his mother had gifted Annie on her birthday years ago
The seller hadn’t dared to lie to Daxon Whatever questions he asked, the man had answered without heutation, not a single detail withheld
