A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 148

“No, that’s not it!”

“Then you admit it?”

Brinley was utterly cornered by Starla’s relentless logic, unable to form a coherent response. Fortunately for her, Clyde arrived at that moment.

Compared to his demeanor at Petal Villa, Clyde’s attitude was now one of profound respect. “Mrs. Yelchin,” he said, bowing his head slightly.

The title sent a wave of bitter amusement through Starla, and she let out a slow, mocking laugh that echoed eerily in the quiet hallway.

Clyde looked deeply uncomfortable but dared not show it.

When her laughter subsided, Starla’s voice was laced with sarcasm. “Mrs. Yelchin, is it? Not Ms. Lansbury? Funny, yesterday at Petal Villa—in the home I shared with Fairfax—you seemed to have no trouble calling me Ms. Lansbury.”

So, yesterday he was subtly reminding her that even as Fairfax’s wife, she was still an outsider. It seemed her brother had been very effective overnight, forcing Harriet to eat a healthy dose of humble pie.

Fairfax’s expression grew even stormier when he heard that Clyde had called her Ms. Lansbury. Clyde’s face was taut with tension, but he forced himself to speak. “Our madam would like to see you. She requests your presence in her room. Please.”

He added the last word with another dip of his head, his tone bordering on pleading.

Yesterday, Harriet had called her a dog. Now she wanted to make peace?

“It would be an insult to her status to meet with someone lower than a dog, wouldn’t you agree, Clyde?”

Clyde’s face flushed with a mixture of shame and anger. He knew Harriet could be vicious and merciless when she wasn't trying to get something from someone, but she had always gotten away with it. He never thought he’d see the day her own words would come back to bite her so viciously.

Starla had said her piece. With a final, cutting smile, she shook off Fairfax’s hand and started to walk away. He caught up in two strides, taking her hand again.

Clyde looked like he wanted to say more, but a single warning glare from Fairfax was enough to make him swallow his words.