A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 316

“Mr. Yelchin, calm down! Calm down!” Rudolf yelled, wrapping his arms around him. “Let’s talk this out, no fighting!”

Fairfax, who had just been punched clean in the face without landing a single blow himself, was apoplectic. Was Rudolf fucking blind? Who needed to calm down here?

Before he could even respond, while still pinned by Rudolf, Herbert stepped forward and delivered another solid punch.

Fairfax saw stars. Rudolf froze. The air crackled with a surreal tension.

Fairfax thrashed, trying to break free, but Rudolf clung to him like a limpet, still shouting, “No fighting, Mr. Yelchin!”

“Who the hell is fighting? Let me go, you idiot!” Fairfax roared, the injustice of it all driving him insane. He was being pummeled while being restrained for his own good.

The office devolved into chaos, with Rudolf ostensibly breaking up a fight that was really just Herbert methodically beating Fairfax to a pulp.

...

Five minutes later, Fairfax was dizzy and unsteady on his feet.

As Herbert moved in for another strike, Rudolf finally let go of Fairfax and threw himself in front of his boss.

“Sir, that’s enough! Any more and you’ll kill him!”

The question hit Fairfax like a physical blow. His rage faltered, replaced by a sudden, chilling guilt. He froze, his mind reeling. Did Herbert know?

Seeing the flicker of panic in Fairfax’s eyes, Herbert pressed his advantage, his gaze becoming even more piercing. “She didn’t even like you at first, did she?”

Each word was a dagger. Fairfax felt a hollow ache spread through his chest.

“You used to claim she was deeply in love with you,” Herbert sneered. “Have you deluded yourself so completely that you’ve forgotten how you chased her? Forgotten the real reason she first gave you a chance?”

“Stop it!” Fairfax yelled, his voice cracking. Herbert’s words weren't just needles; they were knives, carving into the empty space where his heart used to be.