A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 110

Just then, Brinley was wheeled into the room, her eyes filled with tears. "Mom, you have to help me! How dare Starla humiliate me like this?"

Harriet, already at her wit's end, snapped, "What is it now?"

"She's trying to take my things!" Brinley cried. "Gabriel just came to see me with a stack of documents—transfer agreements and a long list of items she's demanding back! She's gone too far! Hasn't she humiliated me enough these past few days? And now this? What am I supposed to do? I can't even recover in peace!"

Her complaints devolved into hysterical sobbing, which only grated on Harriet's frayed nerves. "Those are trivial matters! Just give her back the things!"

Right now, she had no time for such petty squabbles. Compared to the earthquake shaking her international empire, Brinley's problems were insignificant.

Brinley stared at her mother in disbelief. "What did you say? Give them back? Mom, this isn't about the things! She's humiliating me! You have to stand up for me!"

Normally, Brinley was somewhat intimidated by Harriet, but Starla's relentless attacks had pushed her past her breaking point.

"Stand up for you?" Harriet sneered. "You can't even handle a girl with no background, and you expect me to fight your battles? You just had two babies, you know. Why aren't you using those twins to your advantage? You're a hero to the Yelchin family now. Why are you running to your own family for help with every little thing?"

Brinley's anger dissolved into hurt and confusion under her mother's tirade. She sniffled, fresh tears streaming down her face.

"All you do is cry!" Harriet snapped, exasperated.

Clyde stepped in gently. "Miss Brinley, whatever the issue is, you should probably discuss it with your mother-in-law, Darleen. Your mother is not in a good state of mind right now. Perhaps it's best if you return to your room."

"Arrange a meeting with Starla," she said to Clyde, her voice heavy with fatigue. She couldn't believe that little bitch had caused her so much trouble. Once this crisis was over, she would make her pay.

Clyde hesitated, uncomfortable with Harriet stooping to meet with someone so far beneath her. "Perhaps it would be better to meet with Mr. Farley instead?" he suggested. "Meeting with Starla now would be giving her too much credit."

Harriet considered this. He was right. But Herbert…

The thought of him made her head ache.

"Can you get Herbert Farley to come to the hospital?" she asked. She was in no condition to go anywhere, still unable to move properly.