After the New Year's Eve Tragedy Her Icy Return novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85 A Masterclass in Manipulation

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48 Pearls

Caught off guard by Blake’s question, Caroline forced a smile. “Sorry–I’m so used to calling you Dr. Sherwood that it slipped out.”

A faint amusement glinted in Blake’s eyes. “Then you’d better break thanhabit. From now on, call me by my

name.”

He did know medicine, but it wasn’t his profession.

Hearing her calling him like that felt… off.

Now was as good a time as any to correct it.

Caroline nodded. “Alright. Then you should call me by my name too.”

After all this time, they were practically friends.

Formalities were unnecessary.

A roar shattered the moment.

“Caroline, come out now!”

It was Liam.

Barred at the entrance by security–no invitation, just fury.

Caroline’s expression darkened. This troublemaker again?

Blake immediately understood what was going on. Blake’s lips curved. “Your niece claimed she’d kill herself. Given your brother’s theatrics … did she succeed?”

Caroline snorted, not knowing Blake was just kidding. “Helen? She screams at flu shots. Suicide? Please.”

Drama was Helen’s specialty–fake tears, fake threats–and the Somertons ate it up every time.

Outside, Liam was so angry that he was heaving with anger as he saw Caroline ignoring him and bantering with Blake.

“I said, get out here!”

Blake shot him a look that could frost hell before turning to Caroline. “Shall we? If your niece survives, she owes you that apology.”

“I was thinking the same,” she said as she strode toward the exit.

Liam jabbed a finger at her. “Helen is-”

“Is she dead yet?” Caroline cut in sweetly, not giving him a chance to finish his sentence.

Upon hearing that, Liam jumped up in fury. “Are you even human? How can you curse your niece like that?”

“Divorce me. I’ll take Helen far away from you and the Somertons!”

“Alaina, don’t talk nonsense!” Edwin grabbed her arm, voice cracking. “We’re family–where would you even go?”

Alaina wiped her tears with a dramatic flourish. “Family? Your brothers and that sister of yours are family. Helen and I?” She let out a bitter laugh. “Just outsiders. Tomorrow, we’ll sign the divorce papers. After that, you’ll have no say in where we go.”

Caroline watched, unimpressed.

A masterclass in manipulation.

No wonder Helen was such a pro.

Suddenly… Slap!

A brutal slap sent Caroline sprawling.

Edwin was merciless with his slap, causing Caroline to stagger and eventually fall to the ground.

Ears ringing, she barely registered Edwin’s plea. “See, Alaina? I punished her! No more divorce talk, please

The whole reason he’d taken Alaina on this trip was to patch things up after she’d last threatened divorce.

He’d just barely managed to calm her down–there was no way he’d let her spiral back into that mindset

now.