She knew that Benedict and Sarah’s trip would take them across several countries. With their days packed with sightseeing, neither of them would have the energy for drama in the middle of the night.
Besides, Sarah was in her sixties–she certainly didn’t have the stamina of someone half her age.
Edith couldn’t help but feel a mix of fear and guilt.
After all, this whole mess had started because of her, and now it had reached Benedict and Sarah. If they really got angry, there’d be no one to blame but herself.
Yvonne, meanwhile, was wiping tears from her cheeks, but her eyes still shot Edith a defiant glare. Just wait! Let’s see how Mrs. Hawksley scolds
you!
Justin placed his hand over Edith’s, noticing the way she trembled. He pressed his palm down gently, drawing her hand closer, fingers twining together.
“Edith, you have nothing to worry about.”
His words soothed her, like a balm to her nerves. Even though Sarah hadn’t spoken yet, Edith finally let herself relax.
And then, to Edith’s astonishment, Sarah didn’t scold her at all. In fact, she unleashed her full fury–at Yvonne.
“Are you out of your mind? Do you not realize I’m traveling? It’s two in the morning here, and you’re blowing up my phone over this nonsense! I’m seriously starting to wonder what kind of upbringing the Hart family gives their children!”
Sarah wasn’t finished. She continued, her tone sharp, “My daughter–in–law is so gentle, and you actually pushed her to the point of fighting back? I can’t even imagine what you did to her! Absolutely disgraceful!
Completely unacceptable!”
1/3
17374
Chapter 165
At that, Sarah pulled Benedict into the conversation. Benedict, who understood what had happened, was even more furious than Sarah. He snatched the phone and growled, “We’re just on vacation, not dead! The Hawksley family is still very much around! How dare you pick on my daughter–in–law? Just wait–when we get home, you’ll all answer for this nonsense!”
Not only Yvonne, but even Edith was left speechless.
Yvonne stood there, phone in hand, frozen like a paused movie frame. She truly couldn’t understand what spell Edith had cast over the Hawksleys. Edith was basically a nobody—no impressive family, no particular advantages, divorced, and unable to have children. How could someone like that inspire such fierce loyalty? How could they go so far as to say these things to her–Yvonne Hart?
Her father, George Hart, was a renowned businessman. She had never been treated like this anywhere.
This time, Yvonne’s tears were real–she was crying out of pure
humiliation.
On the other end of the line, there was a shuffle, and Sarah took the phone back. But she was done talking; she just muttered, “People who thrive on stirring up trouble aren’t worth our time. Edmund, you know how to use your phone–block this number for me, will you? I’d rather not have my sleep ruined again.”
Neither Benedict nor Sarah cared to check if there was any truth to Yvonne’s complaints. Their loyalty to Edith was absolute, treating her as one of their own, no questions asked.
Edith felt a warmth spread through her chest.
Even Kearney and Jayne, for the sake of appearances, would never go this far for her.
Justin flashed Edith’a triumphant grin, as if to say, See? Aren’t Mom and Dad the best?
Then, turning away from Edith, Justin shot Yvonne a sidelong glance,
2/3
17.37 1
Chapter 165
voice dripping with sarcasm. “Happy now? You just had to pick a fight–satisfied?”
Susan, who’d been trembling in the corner for ages, tugged at Yvonne’s sleeve and whispered, “Yvonne, maybe… maybe we should just go…”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.