A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 175

"Forget it. I need to figure out how to make it up to Herbert," Starla said, a troubled look on her face. Herbert had nothing to do with this, yet he was caught in the crossfire.

"How else? Take him out to dinner. It's the least you can do."

"Does Herbert really need a meal from me?" Starla countered.

"It's a basic gesture of gratitude," Tanya insisted. It wasn't about need. A man like Herbert, with the Farley family fortune and his own thriving international businesses, didn't need anything from anyone.

After Tanya left for work, promising to come back that night, Starla thought it over and decided to call Herbert. He answered almost immediately. "Starla."

His voice was magnetic, with a warm, gentle quality.

"Fairfax is probably on his way to see you," she warned.

There was a brief pause on his end.

"Um, are you free for lunch? My treat."

"It's probably not a good idea for you to be out right now, is it?" Herbert asked, his tone considerate. He was aware of her current situation.

"Come to Cosmos Summit. How about you come over now?"

If Herbert wasn't at his home when Fairfax arrived, they could avoid another confrontation.

Herbert understood immediately. A faint smile touched his lips. "Alright."

He agreed, not just to the lunch, but to her unspoken plan to help him steer clear of Fairfax.

After he hung up, Rudolf entered the room and was surprised to see the rare smile on Herbert's face. When had his boss learned to smile like that?

"Sir, Fairfax is here."

At the mention of the name, Herbert's smile vanished instantly. It seemed a confrontation was unavoidable after all.

"Let him in."

"Do you have any idea what she would have faced if the police had actually taken her in yesterday?" Herbert countered, his own amusement fading as his eyes grew sharp and serious. A dangerous glint began to surface in their depths.

Fairfax’s jaw tightened, but he remained silent, meeting Herbert's intense gaze.

Herbert continued, his voice calm but cutting, "Your mother made the call, and Xenia brought the police to her door. Do I need to remind you what kind of arrangements Xenia would have made with the authorities?" The Yelchin family's animosity toward Starla was no secret. With Xenia personally orchestrating the arrest, the outcome would have been grim.

Every word Herbert spoke was measured, but they landed like blows, making Fairfax's breathing unsteady.

"When you woke up, Gabriel made no move to get her released. What was your plan, Fairfax? To make her surrender? To break her?" Herbert’s voice was low and accusatory.

Fairfax’s face went rigid. Break her? Starla's constant talk of divorce had worn him down, and yes, he had wanted her to finally bend to his will.

Their eyes locked. Fairfax finally spoke, his voice tight with resentment. "And why would I want her to surrender? Because she won't stop fighting me! And who do you think gave her the confidence to do that?"

Her constant rebellion was driving him insane, and it had spiraled out of control.