Chapter <b>72 </b>


    Joseph’s words wiped the color right off Wendy’s face.


    Sure, she and Ruby were tight, but fun <b>was </b>fun–getting caught up in awsuit that could drag down her family’s reputation was a whole different story. It just wasn’t worth it.


    Wendy kept quiet. Joseph took Nina’s hand, ready to leave. Just as they reached the door, they ran straight into Ruby.


    “Ms. Martin, you really ought to keep your dog on a leash,” Joseph said coolly. “If you let it bite people, <b>what </b>does that say about the owner?”


    Ruby shot him a sharp look. “What’s that supposed to mean, Joseph?”


    He raised a brow. “Come on, drop the act. Nina and Patricia’s presence says it all. Twenty years, and for what? Some people are always receable.”


    His words hit Ruby right where it hurt.


    She lifted her chin, her smile all bite. “At least all I lost was a man. Not like you, Mr. Miller–crippled by someone else’s hand.” Her gaze lingered on his injured arm, the mocking curve of her lips impossible


    to miss.


    Joseph’s anger red, immediate and hot.


    Everyone went their separate ways at the police station.


    As soon as Ruby got in her car, Tina started in. “Only you would tag along to the station for something that had nothing to do with you.”


    Ruby just flicked her nails, unbothered. “If I didn’t show up, do you really think they’d still be loyal to me?” She never did anything for free.


    Tina <b>nced </b>over. “Joseph’s been spending a lot of time with the Newtonstely, hasn’t he?”


    “It makes sense. The Miller hotel brand is about to go public, and the Newtons are their partners,” <b>Tina </b>exined, running down the connection between Joseph and Theo..


    After a beat, she muttered, “Figures.”


    “No one thought to call Theo, with all this drama?” Ruby asked.


    “We did. No answer.”


    Ruby frowned. That was weird. She’d been too busy putting out fires to notice Theo’s absence, but with all the usual crowd around, he should’ve at least shown his face. Not even a word from him.


    “Mom, maybe you should call Ms. Phipps and check in?”


    Tina checked the time, clearly not thrilled. “It’ste. Not really appropriate.”


    “Just try! Maybe she’s still up,” Ruby Insisted.


    Tina gave in, opened her messages, and fired off a quick text: Molly, is Theo home?


    Kelly was always wary of Tina–and even more so of Ruby, who’d blown back in from Toronto with an


    13:29


    attitude. Thest thing she wanted was more Martin–Newton drama.


    So she fired back: Ask Patricia.


    Short, blunt, and crystal clear.


    Tina handed <b>the </b>phone to Ruby, her expression sour. Ruby’s grip on the phone tightened.


    Kelly might as well have put up a billboard saying Patricia was Theo’s wife already.


    So freaking annoying.


    Tina let out a sigh. “Getting into the Martin family isn’t going to be that easy for you.”


    When Jackson got back to the vi, Patricia was on her phone, looking perfectly calm, like nothing had happened at all.


    Heunched into a y–by–y of what went down at the club.


    Patricia listened patiently, then poured him a ss of water.


    Jackson took a sip and immediately pulled a face. “Wait–is this alcohol?”


    Who puts liquor in a teapot?


    “Yep.” Patricia nced down at the blue–and–white porcin teapot she’d found at a street market. She actually kind of loved it. <fn9e90> This text is hosted at </fn9e90>


    Jackson hesitated, cup in hand, not sure if he should drink. “You know the doctor said you shouldn’t be drinking.”


    “We’re this close to the finish line,” Patricia said with a little smile. “I deserve a drink to celebrate.”