A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 133

The next morning, the news that Brinley had plagiarized Starla’s Draken Haven project went viral again.

Brinley, who hadn’t slept well in days, woke up to another flood of online vitriol. She felt completely drained. Feeling weak, she went to see Harriet, only to find her mother had also been up all night, worrying about the situation in Yoran Country.

Seeing Brinley’s distraught state, Harriet, who now knew the full story, asked sharply, “So, did you plagiarize her work or not?”

“I…” Brinley stammered, the words catching in her throat. Her mother had never asked such a question before. No matter what Brinley had done to Starla, Harriet had always helped her, no questions asked. But now…?

“If you did it, then you’ll have to deal with the consequences,” Harriet said, her voice hard. “If you didn’t…”

She trailed off.

Hearing the words “deal with the consequences,” Brinley’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Mom, what are you saying? I… just deal with it?”

What did that even mean? Before, her mother would have helped her get even, no matter what. Was she really telling her to just swallow this humiliation from Starla?

“What else?” Harriet retorted. “Do I look like I’m in any condition to help you settle scores?”

Brinley fell silent, a suffocating tightness gripping her chest as she looked at her mother, who had been bedridden and immobile since the previous day. Starla had even managed to make her mother back down. She was truly formidable! It was clear now that the matter between Xenia and Herbert had to be expedited. If Starla and Herbert actually got together, who in Marina City could possibly stop her?

Clyde, Harriet’s assistant, stepped forward. “Miss Brinley, your mother is extremely distressed about the Yoran Country situation right now. Perhaps you should return to your room.”

Brinley looked at Harriet, tears welling in her eyes, but she blinked them back. She knew her mother hated it when people cried while she was upset; it only made her more irritated. As she was wheeled toward the door, Harriet’s voice followed her. “Don’t provoke Starla for now.”

At the mention of Xenia, Harriet’s expression froze for a moment before she broke into a laugh. “That’s not bad at all.”

Xenia loathed Starla. If she and Herbert were to get married, Starla’s days of triumph would surely be numbered.

“Tess went to the Farley estate yesterday to act as a matchmaker,” Brinley added. “Marriages between prominent families like ours happen quickly.”

Once the families reached an agreement, it wouldn’t be long before Xenia became a Farley.

“Then tell Xenia to work harder,” Harriet said. “Herbert has very high standards.”