Chapter 75

Chapter 75

The two hurried toward William's study, discussing along the way how they would approach the conversation with William.

"Honey, how about you talk to him?" Missy suggested, her voice trembling at the thought of facing William's stern expression. 

She nudged Ruben, "I... I don't think I can handle it. You know how he gets if I say the wrong thing. He'll blame me again."

Ever since she married into the Anderson family, William's authoritarian nature had always intimidated her, leaving no room for her to argue.

Missy sighed softly at the thought.

Ruben, understanding the strained relationship between Missy and William, didn't push her. He patted her hand reassuringly, "It's okay, Missy. I'll handle it. Given that Charles cheated, it's not really your place to tell my dad."

Missy nodded, feeling a bit relieved. As long as she didn't have to face William, she could breathe easier.

Ruben entered the study alone, while Missy waited outside the door.

Suddenly, she noticed a flicker of movement in the corner of her eye. Her gaze sharpened as she called out softly, "Who's there?"

Thea, realizing she had been spotted, stepped out from the shadows. "Mom, it's me."

"What are you doing here?" Missy asked, surprised to see her. She scrutinized Thea curiously.

Thea forced a smile, placing a hand on her belly as she approached. "Grandpa asked me to manage the household accounts, but I had some questions." 

"I asked Mary, and she said you were here, so I came over. I thought you were going to see Grandpa, so I planned to wait for you downstairs."

Missy didn't think much of it and moved to support her. "You should be resting in your room. If you have questions, just have someone send the accounts to me. Why go through the trouble of walking all the way here with your belly?"

Thea smiled faintly, secretly relieved. 

She had overheard Missy and Ruben discussing Charles and had followed them, worried they might find out about the teacher at Rosewood Estate. She hadn't hidden well enough and was caught by Missy.

She had heard them mention Charles's infidelity. Did they already know? 

How much did they know? Did they know it was connected to Bruce's plan?

Thea didn't dare think further, guilt washing over her. 

If it weren't for her jealousy of Patricia and her desire for Alvin to gain William's favor, she wouldn't have collaborated with Bruce, using her and Alvin's savings to help him pay off debts. 

Now, hearing about Charles's affair, she felt even more guilty towards Patricia.

"Mom, what were you and Dad talking about?" Thea asked, feigning nonchalance.

"Nothing important, just something urgent Ruben needed to discuss with William," Missy replied, her eyes avoiding Thea's. 

She quickly changed the subject, "Be careful on the stairs. I'll have Mary help you back to your room to rest."

Thea's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly declined, "No need, Mom. I was planning to visit Kelly and Rex at Silver Estate."

Missy, worried, said, "Why the rush? Let the driver take you, and bring the kids back to stay for a few days. I'd love to see them."

"No, no," Thea waved her hands, making an excuse to leave, "I'll go by myself. You have other things to do, right? I'll be back after seeing the kids."

Afraid that staying any longer would expose her, and dreading hearing more about Charles, Thea's guilt threatened to overwhelm her.

Missy didn't think much of it and waved her off.

Thea practically fled the Anderson Mansion, getting into a car headed for Silver Estate. 

But as they passed the back gate of Sunrise Estate, she asked the driver to stop.

She hadn't been able to reach Bruce for days, and anxiety gnawed at her. 

Every night, she had nightmares about Patricia finding out that Thea was behind the breakup of her family. She would wake up in a cold sweat each time.

Summoning her courage, Thea walked into Sunrise Estate, determined to find out Bruce's next move. If possible, she hoped to stop everything.

She didn't want to hurt Patricia any further.

Thinking about the day Patricia rushed out to protect her made her feel very guilty.

As she approached the large banyan tree outside Sunrise Estate, a shadow suddenly emerged, startling her.

"Thea, what are you doing here?" Bruce leaned against the tree, a sinister smile on his lips, playing with a lighter. The flickering flame reflected in his eyes.

"Are you eager to see the chaos at Rosewood Estate?"

Thea shrank back, her voice trembling, "What are you talking about? I... I was just passing by."

"Passing by?" Bruce sneered, stepping closer, "Passing by the back gate? Are you here to check on my arrangements or to persuade me to stop?"

Thea's breath caught, her intentions laid bare.

Bruce took in her expression, his smile growing colder. 

He had heard about Thea and Alvin's situation. Saved by Patricia once, and now feeling indebted to her enemy. What a fool.

Bruce's voice dripped with venom, "Do you really think I'll stop? Have you forgotten why we started this?"

Thea shuddered at the memory of her past mistakes, swallowing hard. "Bruce, how long are we going to keep this up? Rosewood Estate is already in chaos. Why not stop now?"

She was willing to forgo the money, just to end this.

"Stop?" Bruce scoffed, "This is just the beginning! Do you think you can back out now? We're in this together. If I go down, you go down with me."

He leaned in, his voice a poisonous whisper in her ear, "If we die, we die together."

Terrified, Thea pushed him away and stumbled towards Silver Estate, not daring to look back.

Bruce watched her retreating figure, his smile growing colder. 

He pulled out his phone and sent a message.

In the back garden of Rosewood Estate, Lillian huddled in a corner, clutching her phone. She bit her lip so hard it bled, trembling with anxiety.

Someone had told Sarah about her failure.

She had hoped to keep it from Sarah, thinking she would have another chance once Charles returned. But Sarah had called, furious.

"Useless! I told you to act, and you let them leave? Are you an idiot? Couldn't you stop Charles?"

"Sarah, I didn't know Patricia went to Regal City, and Mr. Anderson followed," Lillian pleaded, sweat dripping down her face. "Give me another chance. As soon as Mr. Anderson returns, I'll act!"

"Another chance? You promised me you'd get Charles, and what happened?" Sarah's voice rose sharply. 

"Lillian, don't forget how you got your face! I paid for your surgery so you could infiltrate the Anderson family. If you mess this up, I'll post your pre-surgery photos online and let Charles see what kind of monster he's got by his side!"

Lillian's face went pale, her hand shaking. "No... Sarah, please, give me one more chance. I'll get it right!"

"Last chance. If you don't act when Charles returns, I'll expose you!" Sarah spat before hanging up.

Lillian stared at her darkened phone screen, her teeth grinding. 

'Does Sarah really think she can control me just because she lent me some money?'

Lillian touched her face, feeling the scars beneath the perfect exterior. 

If it weren't for the severe burns, she wouldn't have to live under someone else's identity.

But Sarah was a madwoman.

Lillian took a deep breath, determination hardening her gaze. To stay by Charles's side, she had to take a risk.

—

With a loud crash, a glass shattered on the floor.

Glass shards scattered at Irene's feet. She glanced at Sarah's furious face and chuckled.

"The person you found is quite the fool."