13.31


    Jackson pushed Patricia’s wheelchair out of the building.


    As they turned the corner, she leaned her head against her hand, looking heartbreakingly lost–like someone who’d just been deeply humiliated. Anyone who saw her right then would’ve thought she’d been through hell.


    By 7:30, the inte had exploded.


    “Mrs. Newton Blocked by Newton Family at Hospital–that headline was everywhere.


    And thements were vicious.


    “Knew that guy was no saint. The whole marriage was just for show. My friend’s a rehab therapist, said he never showed up for her therapy, not even once in two years.”


    “They only married her because of public pressure. If the Newtons could actually choose, there’s no way they’d ept someone with a disability. Even if she got hurt saving their son.”


    /* <![CDATA[ */


    fpm_start( "true" );


    /* ]]> */


    “Two years in and he’s already cheating–what a winner.”


    “Cheating, and now his first love is back? This guy’s got more plot twists than a soap opera.”


    “What do you expect? He’s Mr. Newton.”


    Howard sat in his office, eyes fixed on the tablet Aiden handed over.


    A vein pulsed at his temple.


    Patricia. Of course it was her.


    He didn’t even need to ask. This kind of move had Patricia written all over it.


    Aiden nced at Howard’s stormy expression, hesitated, then said quietly, “We’ve already started damage control. The press should cool off soon.”


    “Find out where the PR director is. I want a meeting–now.”


    “Got it.” Aiden’s nerves were shot; with everything happening at Newton Enterprisestely, he felt like he was just waiting to get fired.


    The stock price kept tanking, greener by the day.


    First the cheating scandal, then Mr. Newton himself getting dumped naked outside the office. Any one of these stories would be enough to blow up the news cycle.


    As Aiden turned to go, Howard’s voice stopped him. “While I was away these two years


    I is this how things have always been between them?”


    Aiden paused and looked back. “Not really. Ms. Martin hardly ever got involved in Mr. Newton’s business. She’d only send someone over if there was something about the house to sign off on–otherwise, they barely interacted.”


    Howard finally understood.


    Cornered animals fight back. Even rabbits will bite if you push them.


    13:31


    Theo cheated, dragged Patricia’s name through the mud. No wonder she decided to hit back.


    At the hospital, Grandma saw the news and nearly fainted from anger.


    The housekeeper was quick, catching her and easing her onto the couch.


    No wonder.


    No wonder Grandma had looked at her that way, with that little smile she tried to hide.


    Patricia, you really don’t hold back.


    The Martin family had been in chaos for weeks, all thanks to her.


    “Keep an eye on Theo. I’m heading home for a bit.”


    When Grandma got back to the Newton house, she found Kelly sitting on the sofa, flipping through her tablet, lost in thought.


    “Come with me.”


    The two of them slipped into the study and closed the door, voices low and secretive.


    A housekeeper tried to bring in tea but was waved off.


    “Just leave it. We’ll have itter.”


    At 7:50, Patricia finally made it back to the vi.


    Her phone rang–the call was from Southside Cemetery.


    “Hello, is this the daughter listed for grave number 099? This is the management office at Southside Cemetery.”


    Patricia’s voice was t, almost chilly. “Yes. What <b>is </b>it?”


    “There’s been… an incident. Your parents‘ graves have been disturbed. Would you be able toe take a look?”


    “What did you just say?” Patricia shot out of her chair, knuckles white <b>as </b>she gripped her phone. “Someone dug up your parents‘ graves,” the staff member stammered, practically sweating through the line. <fn3606> The rightful source is find~novel</fn3606>