Chapter <b>76 </b>
Patricia lookedpletely unbothered.
“Marian, go pull upst night’s living room security footage.”
A few tapster, the video was handed to Howard. He watched as Theo dragged Patricia in from the yard and shoved her onto the couch.
Howard’s face grew darker the longer he watched. If this video ever leaked, it wouldn’t just ruin Theo–Newton Enterprises would be in deep trouble too.
Patricia’s voice stayed soft, almost gentle. “So, Mr. Newton, do you still want to press charges?”
She kept her eyes steady on <b>him</b>. “Theo broke into my ce and tried to force himself on me. If someone hadn’te in and stopped him, he’d already be known as a rapist. Even in a marriage, that’s a serious crime these days–let alone now that we’re divorced. Was it really too much for me to defend myself?”
“I’m not the kind of person who likes dragging things out to the bitter end. But maybe you should go home and ask your wife and kids what they’ve been up to,” Patricia said, her tone polite but edged with steel. She nced at him, thinking of his mother. “Oh, and your saintly mom too–the one always praying for forgiveness.”
“If you want to take this further, Mr. Newton, I’ll see you in court.”
/* <![CDATA[ */
fpm_start( "true" );
/* ]]> */
She finished speaking and silence filled the room. Howard just stood there, speechless.
After a long pause, his voice came out cold and clipped. “Jackson, show her out.”
Thosest words were as icy as shutting a door in someone’s face.
He’de here to use her, to put her on the spot.
Instead, he’d been outyed at every turn.
This Patricia… she was more formidable than he’d ever realized.
In the back seat of his ck BMW, Howard lit a cigarette, his eyes narrowing as he stared out the
window.
“Any news on Ruby?” he asked quietly.
The driver took a few seconds to respond. “Not yet, sir. Cloud Peak is the Padi family’s turf, Police can’t get in, and nobody wants to mess with them.”
“They’re still searching, but only in a small area,” he added.
As he drove, the driver couldn’t help thinking–if Ruby had finally gotten what wasing to her, maybe Mr. Newton would be next. Was it possible that Mrs. Newton, sick of being made a fool, had finally snapped?
13.29
Outside a hospital room, Howard was about to walk in when he heard the steady tap of a cane.
He turned to see Theo’s grandmother approaching, her caretaker supporting her every step.
“Tell me the truth, Howard. Was it Patricia?” she asked, her voice low.
He nodded. “Yes. But there’s nothing more we can do about it.”
He waved the caretaker away and exined everything in a few quick sentences.
She listened in silence, her expression growing heavy. “Now he regrets it. Didn’t know what he had when she was around, but now he can’t let go. Toote for that now.<i>” </i>
“It’s better they split up anyway. Forcing it would only end with everyone getting hurt.”
“Don’t let your wife find out about this,” she warned. “She loves her son too much. If she goes looking for Patricia, who knows what kind of trouble she’ll cause?”
“The Newtons owe Patricia. If there’s any way to make it up to her, you should.”
She’d always thought Patricia was a good match: smart, beautiful, capable. With her, Theo could’ve done anything.
But things had gone wrong from the very start.
Now, it had all fallen apart, and the two of them were nearly enemies.
When the old woman finished, her words seemed to linger in the air as footsteps echoed down the hallway. <f03> Follow current nov?ls on Find_Novel(.</f03>
to find Kelly sitting at the edge of the bed, looking lost. He Howard walked into the hospital <i>roo </i>gently patted her shoulder. “Let me take you home. You need some <b>rest</b>.”
“Alright,” Kelly replied quietly, not even trying to argue.
Back at home, shey in bed, her mind racing with the things Howard had said.
Theo tried to force himself on Patricia.
Patricia did this.
That bitch.
As evening settled in, Kelly heard a car engine rumbling in the driveway. She threw off the covers, pulled on her clothes, grabbed her keys, and headed straight for the house.