Chapter 81 The Snake in the Garden
DAVID
“We’ll be using your babe as bait,” Janet said, her voice cool and calculated as she swirled the wine in her glass.
I stared at her, disbelief twisting in my gut. “Bella? Why her?” My voice came out sharper than I intended, the protective edge undeniable.
Janet leaned back in her chair, the sun casting a golden hue across her face as she raised a brow. “Don’t play dumb, David. Lizzy doesn’t just want you—she wants revenge for her family. Bella is her target because she sees her as a threat. And she’s getting information from inside your house.”
My jaw tightened. That couldn’t be true. “Impossible,” I said, shaking my head. “Everyone in that mansion was thoroughly vetted.”
“Really?” Janet’s laughter rang out, sharp and mocking. She set her glass down, the light catching the deep red liquid as it sloshed against the rim. “You’ve gotten soft, brother. You used to see everything, know everything. But ever since you fell for Bella, you’ve let your guard down. And Lizzy? She’s taken full advantage of that.”
The weight of her words settled over me, heavy and suffocating. “Who?” My voice was low, barely controlled.
Janet’s smirk widened. “Your gardener.”
“The gardener?” I repeated, the words foreign in my mouth.
She nodded, leaning forward, her gaze sharp. “Think about it. Bella’s been spending more time in the garden lately, hasn’t she? That’s not a coincidence. Lizzy planted him there to get close to her. And guess what? It’s working.”
Images flashed through my mind—Bella laughing softly in the garden, her face peaceful. I’d thought the time outdoors was helping her heal, find some semblance of peace in the chaos. But now?
My fists clenched, the veins in my arms tightening with the rush of anger. “How do you know this?”
Janet tilted her head, the light catching the devious glint in her eyes. “Because I looked into him. And I found out everything. The way he lingers around her, the subtle ways he’s been trying to manipulate her. He’s feeding Lizzy information, David.”
She slid her phone across the table. My stomach churned as I stared at the screen. A photo of the gardener standing too close to Bella, his hand brushing hers, her hesitant smile frozen in the frame.
“Where did you get this?” My voice was ice.
Janet shrugged. “I have my ways. You should be thanking me for looking out for you.”
I didn’t respond, the fury in my chest threatening to explode. Janet leaned back, a satisfied smile on her lips.
“I know you, David. You’re probably planning to rip him apart right now.”
The thought had crossed my mind.
“But that’s not the way to win this,” she continued. “We need to be smarter. Let Bella think she’s in control. Tell her about the party we’re planning. Let her tell the gardener. He’ll walk straight into our trap.”
I stared at her, the gears in my mind turning. “What’s the plan?”
She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper as she outlined the details. By the time she was done, my smirk mirrored hers.
“You’re ruthless,” I said, standing.
“You’re just realizing that now?” Janet teased.
I grabbed my car keys. “I need to meet this gardener face-to-face.”
As I drove back to the mansion, my thoughts churned. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I replayed the image from Janet’s phone. How had I let this happen under my own roof?
When I arrived, the first thing I saw was Bella standing in the garden. Her soft laughter floated through the air, mingling with the sound of the gardener’s deep voice. The sight of him leaning closer to her sent a fresh wave of rage coursing through me.
“David,” Bella said when she saw me. Her smile faltered slightly at the sight of my expression, but she recovered quickly. “You’re back early.”
I didn’t respond. My eyes locked on the man standing beside her, his body tense as he avoided my gaze.
“This is Andrew,” Bella said, her voice light as she gestured to the gardener. “He’s been helping me with the garden. He’s... become a good friend.”
“Friend?” I repeated, my voice cold and cutting.
Andrew’s face paled as I took a step closer. Bella placed a gentle hand on my arm, her touch warm and grounding, but it did little to calm the storm brewing inside me.
“David, he’s just..”
“I know exactly what he is,” I said, my gaze never leaving Andrew.
The man swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he tried to muster some semblance of composure. But the fear in his eyes betrayed him.
“Leave,” I said, my voice low but commanding.
Andrew hesitated, glancing at Bella for support, but her confusion kept her silent. Without another word, he turned and walked away, his steps hurried.
“David, what’s going on?” Bella asked, her brows furrowing.
“Nothing,” I said, turning to face her. “Just making sure the snake doesn’t get too comfortable in our garden.”