A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 180

Herbert didn't argue. He simply looked at her, his gaze deep and steady. It was a look that carried a quiet authority, an unspoken promise that with him, everything would be taken care of.

Under his silent insistence, Starla felt her resolve crumble. "Okay. Then… thank you. I'd appreciate the help."

He peeled a few more shrimp for her. She held up a hand, smiling faintly. "No more, please. I'm already full."

...

After lunch, as Herbert was preparing to leave, he turned to her. "Brinley doesn't have depression."

Starla wasn't surprised. Faking an illness? It was exactly the kind of manipulative trick she would expect from someone with so many schemes up her sleeve.

Herbert left, and Rudolf was waiting for him outside. As soon as he got in the car, Rudolf reported, "Fairfax has been trying to track our vehicle."

Herbert's mind was still on Starla's earnest, almost clumsy, apology. A faint smile touched his lips. "Ignore him."

"Sir, Gabriel has also been interfering with several of our projects. It seems Fairfax is trying to poach them."

The Yelchin and Farley families were the two titans of Marina City. While their businesses sometimes overlapped, they had always maintained a respectful distance, never encroaching on each other's major projects. For Fairfax to suddenly send Gabriel to meddle was a clear act of aggression, undoubtedly provoked by the situation with Starla. What had started as a war of words had now escalated to a corporate battle.

Rudolf still didn't fully understand.

"His refusal to divorce Starla," Herbert elaborated, "is about to become his biggest problem."

Yardley Hoggart had long been furious with the Yelchin family for their treatment of his sister. Starla was the only reason he hadn't taken direct action against Fairfax sooner. But now, Fairfax had finally exhausted Yardley's patience.

Understanding dawned on Rudolf's face. "Of course. Mr. Hoggart will want Ms. Hoggart to return home before their family patriarch, Elmer's, birthday."

Elmer Hoggart, Starla's biological father, had been urging her to return to Yoran Country ever since he learned of her existence. And his milestone birthday was less than three months away.