A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 365

Caden and Darian could feel Darleen’s acute embarrassment. Thinking fast, Caden said, "Fairfax had too much to drink. We're just dropping him off. We'll get him inside."

They started moving toward the entrance, but as they passed her, Darleen grabbed Caden's arm. "Wait."

"What is it?"

"Take him to a hotel," she said, her voice low and strained.

She couldn't let Fairfax stay here, not after what Starla had done to him today. That bitch was clearly back for revenge. She had already lost one son and her granddaughter. She wouldn't risk anything happening to Fairfax. If he stayed at a hotel, he would be safe.

Let that monster burn things if she wanted to. If she was so powerful, let her try to burn down every hotel in Marina City.

Darleen had already made up her mind. Tomorrow, she, Brinley, and Xenia would check into a hotel. Starla could have the house to herself and her games. She was done playing!

If they couldn't fight her, they could at least avoid her.

It was a thought Darleen would have scoffed at in the past, but now, it felt like her only option. She would wait for the police to find the evidence proving Starla had killed her granddaughter, and then she would watch her rot in prison for the rest of her life.

The thought finally brought a small sliver of comfort.

She was so lost in her vengeful fantasy that she didn't notice the strange expressions on Caden and Darian's faces. Darian kept glancing at Caden, silently urging him to speak.

"We'd appreciate it," Darleen said, seeing them hesitate. She was determined to keep Fairfax and Starla apart. Even if Starla refused the divorce, she would never accept her as the Yelchin family's daughter-in-law after this.

Caden cleared his throat, looking deeply uncomfortable. It was then that Darleen finally sensed something was wrong.

"I know it's hard to believe," Caden said grimly. "We didn't want to believe it either. But the reality is, not a single hotel will let Fairfax check in."

Darleen's mind reeled. "Starla did this?"

The question was a whisper, but the realization hit her with the force of a physical blow. Her blood pressure spiked with rage.

Then another thought struck her. "Herbert helped her?"

She knew Herbert had been supporting Starla, but to this extent? How could he possibly have influence over every hotel in Marina City?

Then it clicked. The Farley family had always been powerful but quiet. Herbert had an uncle. An uncle in a very high place. With that kind of connection, he could do more than just blacklist someone from hotels. If he wanted, Herbert could control the entire economic pulse of Marina City.