A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 160

Hearing Yardley's words solidified her resolve. She was done caring.

"Do whatever you want," she repeated, then hung up.

...

Moments later, Garret arrived, dragging a disheveled Renee into the room. It was clear she had been dealt with before being brought here.

Garret threw her onto the floor in front of Starla.

"Mrs. Yelchin, please, spare me! I'm begging you!" Renee cried, scrambling on the carpet.

Starla calmly took a sip from a cup of revitalizing brew the butler had prepared for her. She said nothing, simply watching Renee with detached eyes. Her face was naturally innocent, giving her an air of kindness that had likely been the reason everyone in the Yelchin family felt they could walk all over her for so many years.

Renee grew more desperate in the silence. "Mrs. Yelchin—"

"Use a different name," Starla interrupted coolly. "I don't like that one." She was done with being Mrs. Yelchin, the family doormat.

Renee stared, confused, before correcting herself. "Ms. Lansbury, I… I really can't say. Please, just let me go."

"It seems she hasn't learned her lesson," Starla murmured, glancing at Garret.

Garret nodded grimly and started toward Renee.

"No, please!" Renee shrieked, clutching her hands to her chest. The memory of her two broken fingers was still a fresh agony. But even under such a threat, she remained silent.

Starla's lips curved into a slight, chilling smile. "Garret."

"Yes, Miss."

Starla turned on her phone's voice recorder. "Say that again."

Seeing the phone, Renee trembled violently. When she hesitated, Starla's eyes narrowed, a silent command that spurred Renee to speak.

"It was the old madam, Annika!" Renee blurted out. "She ordered me to poison you. She was furious about the chaos you've been causing and wanted to get rid of you, the family's 'curse.' She said at her age, she wasn't afraid of the legal consequences."

Starla stopped the recording. "Let her go," she told Garret.

Renee breathed a sigh of relief. But as she scrambled to her feet, Starla spoke again. "Before you leave, call Annika."

A slow, wicked smile spread across her face.

"And tell her that her precious grandson drank every last drop of the poison meant for me."