A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 286

Darleen was losing her composure, nearly screaming into the phone. The one billion was meant to shut Starla up and ensure a quiet divorce. Besides, she figured Starla would have the money but no chance to spend it, since she'd be locked away in prison. It would be dead money, and maybe they could even find a way to get it back later. That was the only reason Darleen had agreed to it.

But now Starla was claiming it wasn’t enough. Did she have any concept of what a billion dollars was?

“You think you deserve that much just for sleeping with my son for a few years?” Darleen spat. “You came from an orphanage, what makes you think you’re so valuable? He could have gone out and paid for company…”

“Five billion,” Starla cut in, her voice dangerously calm as Darleen’s insults escalated.

Already unhinged, Darleen shrieked at the number. “In your dreams!”

“Give me five billion, and this all goes away quietly. If you don’t…” Starla let the threat hang in the air.

“What will you do if I don’t?”

“Why don’t you ask your son? Did you really think a little negative press was the only weapon I had against Brinley? Go on, ask Fairfax about the state of Yelchin Group right now.”

With that, Starla hung up.

From the driver’s seat, Garret glanced at her in the rearview mirror.

“Miss, why bother engaging with them?”

To him, the five billion wasn't worth the trouble. The Hoggart family could give her anything she desired, and he had seen firsthand how toxic the Yelchins were. It was best to cut ties with them as cleanly and quickly as possible.

“Shameless doesn’t even begin to cover it,” Darleen fumed. “She’s disgusting.”

“Absolutely.”

“What did she ever contribute to this family? The nerve of her, demanding so much money.” Darleen grew angrier with each word. Besides, what would Starla even do with it? She was about to go to prison. Was she planning to let five billion dollars collect dust in a bank account?

“So, are we going to give it to her?” Xenia asked. Fairfax had frozen her accounts for saying a few words against Starla. The thought of giving Starla that much money, even if it wasn't hers, was painful.

“Give her nothing,” Darleen snapped. “Does she think we’re scared of a lawsuit? Don’t worry, she won’t have time for that.”