Chapter 104 Suspicion Raised
The crowd turned to stare, their gazes ping-ponging between Ambrose and Yara with barely concealed curiosity.
Yara's parentage—that was Scarlett's rawest nerve. And now Opal was poking at it right in front of the kid. Panic fluttered in Scarlett's chest as she tugged at Ambrose's sleeve. "Let's go. Don't engage with crazy."
Ambrose caught her eye, reading the plea there instantly. In one smooth motion, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders while scooping Yara up with the other, turning them all toward the exit.
But Opal wasn't about to let them off that easy. She lunged forward.
"Don't you dare walk away from me!"
Chase materialized from the shadows like some kind of security detail ninja, stepping directly into Opal's path. No matter how much she shrieked and flailed, she couldn't get past him.
"Lady, you're not just scamming people now—you're straight-up slandering them," a nearby nurse suddenly piped up. "Anyone who gets tangled up with you is cursed, I swear."
People always believed the first story they hear.
The nurse's comment did its job, steering the onlookers' opinions in real-time. Especially with Opal's whole unhinged-Karen-having-a-meltdown vibe, someone in the crowd pointed and snorted.
"Look at that face. Tells you everything you need to know."
"What you are inside shows on the outside," another voice muttered.
Opal whipped around, ready to throw hands. "I'm the bad guy? Do you even know me? Say one more word and I'll—"
Her expression twisted into something genuinely scary. The crowd scattered like roaches when the lights flipped on.
Only after Ambrose and Scarlett disappeared around the corner did Chase finally release Opal. She glared at the empty hallway where they'd vanished, muttering under her breath.
"Just you wait. I'm going to make your life hell."
Opal stormed toward Zane's hospital room. He'd been admitted earlier that day after hearing Wesley got arrested—the news literally sent him into cardiac distress.
She burst through the door to find Zane staring at the ceiling. "Zane, I just ran into that bitch Scarlett. She was with some guy, and they were holding that money pit of a kid. Can you believe it? After everything you did for her, the second you two divorce, she's hooking up with another man. And she's the reason Wesley's in jail right now. We can't let her get away with this."
"You saw her and didn't stop her?" Zane's eyes went wide, fury climbing up his throat again. He started coughing violently.
"I couldn't take them all on by myself. Calm down, okay? I'm not letting them off the hook." Opal's face twisted with hate as she rubbed his back, trying to soothe him through the coughing fit.
Just as Zane caught his breath, a voice called from the doorway.
"Mrs. Ross?"
Opal turned to see a stunning woman standing there. Something about her face was familiar, but she couldn't quite place it.
"And you are...?"
The woman glided into the room with a megawatt smile. "Mrs. Ross, it's me—Bianca! I'm a manager in the design department at Ross Group. We've met before."
Recognition finally clicked. Opal's face brightened as she stood. "Oh, Bianca! Sorry, my memory's not what it used to be. Come in, sit down."
Bianca stepped closer, her gaze sliding to Zane. "Mr. Ross isn't feeling well?"
Opal's expression crumpled. "No. He's literally sick from stress." She paused. "What brings you here so late? Are you okay?"
Bianca's smile never wavered. "I was visiting a friend. Saw you in the hallway on my way out and thought I'd stop by." She hesitated just long enough to seem genuine. "Mrs. Ross, I heard about what happened to Wesley. I feel terrible. If there's anything I can do to help, please tell me."
Opal had been desperate for any intel on Wesley's situation. Bianca offering assistance was like manna from heaven. "Bianca, you're such a sweetheart! You're the only one willing to help us right now. Unlike that bitch Scarlett—she took a fortune in the divorce settlement, then turned around and had Wesley thrown in jail. That woman's karma is coming for her, mark my words."
Something dark flickered behind Bianca's eyes, gone in a blink. "Mrs. Ross, are you saying Scarlett is the reason Wesley was arrested?"
"Exactly! She's accusing him of child trafficking. What child did Wesley traffic?" Opal leaned forward urgently. "Bianca, could you find out what's actually going on?"
Bianca didn't hesitate. "Of course. I'm worried about this too." She paused, as if the thought just occurred to her. "But Mrs. Ross, what's Wesley's relationship with Scarlett?"
That set Opal off on another rant. "What a disaster. Wesley was bewitched by that woman and married her. But Scarlett was cheating the whole time. Once Wesley found out, he divorced her. Now she's out for revenge."
Bianca's face went carefully blank. Had they been married? All these years, Scarlett never said a word. And even knowing about Bianca and Wesley's affair, Scarlett never confronted her.
She'd only caught snippets in the hallway earlier—not enough to be sure. That's why she'd followed them here.
"Bianca, I know you're surprised. The truth is, Scarlett, was always messing around with other men. That's why Wesley never went public with their marriage. He always figured they'd divorce eventually." Opal was scrambling now, rewriting history in real-time.
Bianca recovered, letting out a light laugh. "I am surprised, yes."
"But now Wesley's divorced! Bianca, I know you have feelings for my son. Wesley's mentioned you too—we absolutely adore you. Once he gets out of jail, I'll make sure you two get married." Opal was dangling promises like candy now.
Bianca saw right through the manipulation, but she curved her lips anyway. "Mrs. Ross, are you serious?"
Seeing the hope blooming on Bianca's face, Opal nodded emphatically. "Of course I'm serious! But you need to help me figure out what's going on with Wesley. We need to know how to help him."
Bianca smiled sweetly. "Absolutely. I'll start digging right now."
After exchanging contact info, Bianca swept out of the room. The second she stepped into the hallway, her smile froze solid.
Wesley had been married this whole time and never told her. Scarlett knew about the affair and never said a word. They'd both played her for a fool.
Fine. She wouldn't forget this. And now Scarlett had landed Ambrose? Ambrose Sterling? Damn, that woman had skills.
Bianca pulled out her phone and dialed. "Hey, it's Bianca. I need a favor. Can you find out why Wesley Ross was arrested?"
Whatever the lawyer said made her face go tight. She thanked him and hung up.
Wesley, karma's a bitch, isn't it?
Good. You deserve this.
Scarlett stayed quiet the whole ride home. With Yara in the backseat, neither adult said much. Only after they'd gotten her settled at home did Ambrose finally speak up over dinner.
"Don't worry. That whole family will be out of Silverlight City soon. You won't have to see them again."
Scarlett looked up from her plate. "Will Wesley actually go to prison?"
Ambrose speared a piece of broccoli, meeting her gaze. "Do you want him to?"
Scarlett nodded without hesitation. "After what he did back then? I'll never forgive him."
"Then that's settled." Ambrose's tone was final. "Stop thinking about it. Just eat."
Scarlett dropped her eyes to her plate. Honestly, she'd never wanted things to end up this way. But Wesley's actions? Those were unforgivable.
Meanwhile, Ambrose's mind kept circling back to Opal's words in the hospital hallway.
He and Yara look alike.