A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 264

“What did you say, Mom?” Xenia exclaimed. “You’re saying Starla hit you? Has she gone completely insane? You’re still technically her mother-in-law!”

Xenia was genuinely shocked. They had always considered Starla to be uncivilized, but they never thought she would stoop to this level.

Brinley also looked aghast. “Mom, did she really hit you?”

“Yes! Who in Marina City would dare to be so disrespectful to me?” Darleen spat.

For years, everyone in this city had treated her with the utmost reverence. But Starla… from the moment she married into the Yelchin family, she had been a source of conflict. And today, she had actually struck her.

Xenia leaped to her feet, incensed. “That is outrageous! How could she hit an elder? What about Fairfax? Didn’t he do anything to her?”

In Xenia’s mind, if Fairfax knew that Starla had done something so egregious, he surely wouldn’t let her get away with it.

But at the mention of Fairfax, Darleen’s expression turned even stormier.

Brinley said nothing, her eyes darting between Xenia and Darleen. From her mother-in-law's face, it was obvious what had happened: Fairfax had protected Starla… again.

It had been the same story for the past six months. No matter what accusations were leveled against Starla, Fairfax would defend her unconditionally. But this time was supposed to be different, wasn’t it? Her daughter was dead, and Darleen had been assaulted.

Seeing Darleen’s silence, Xenia pieced it together and practically jumped with fury.

“Has Fairfax lost his mind along with her? Protecting her on a normal day is one thing, but he’s still protecting her after this? This is nothing like the previous incidents.”

“A divorce! There must be a divorce this time!” Xenia’s voice rose with each word. “And not just a divorce, that woman needs to go to prison!”

The death of a child was a major crime. She couldn't believe Starla would walk away from this unscathed, as she had before. This time, not even Herbert could save her.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Brinley’s sobs ceased. Her maid, Sally, entered the room.

“Miss.”

“Make sure our people clean up their tracks completely,” Brinley ordered, her voice devoid of any grief, replaced by a chillingly sharp edge.

She had orchestrated this entire elaborate scheme, even sacrificing her own unfortunate daughter, all to ensure Starla would be cast out of the Yelchin family for good.

Her daughter had been sickly from birth, it was true. But if she had to die, her death might as well serve a greater purpose.

Sally nodded. “Rest assured, Miss. The orders have been given. The police won’t find a thing.”

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Brinley’s face. “Good.”