A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 165

Even the slight hint of impatience in Darleen's tone was not lost on Brinley. She froze for a moment, then turned, her eyes instantly filling with tears. "Mom," she choked out, her voice thick with emotion. "Starla's reach has extended all the way to Yelchin Group. The board members trying to oust me from my VP position... it's her doing."

"What?" Darleen was shocked. That girl from the orphanage? What kind of power could she possibly have? To interfere with the workings of Yelchin Group?

"That's impossible. She doesn't have that kind of influence," Darleen said dismissively. To her, Starla had grown up with nothing and spent her marriage as a housewife. She had no skills, no connections. How could she possibly manipulate the board?

Brinley sniffled pitifully. "She admitted it to me herself just now."

"She called you?"

Brinley fell silent, letting her tears speak for her.

Seeing her like this only fueled Darleen’s irritation. She worried Brinley would lose control again and do something drastic. Especially with the news about Harriet’s troubles overseas, the possibility of facing massive penalties for breach of contract… And here was Brinley, falling apart at a time like this.

Darleen felt her patience wearing thin.

"Brinley," she said, her tone hardening slightly. "Your mother is facing a difficult time overseas. You need to be strong."

Brinley froze. Xenia stared. Neither could believe what they were hearing.

Darleen's eyes were serious, her tone heavy. "You are the mother of two children now. You cannot always let your emotions rule you, do you understand?"

Brinley was speechless. Was she implying that all this grief over Faraday was just an act? That it was time to drop the pretense? All this time, Darleen had supported her pursuit of Fairfax. Had she changed her mind?

The message was crystal clear now. She remembered what her mother had told her before leaving Marina City: her mother-in-law was, above all, a pragmatist. If her mother fell, her own life with the Yelchins would become unbearable. She hadn't wanted to believe it then.