The Day Silence Spoke novel Chapter 214

She had always assumed Clifford kept Latisha around merely to honor his grandfather Darby's dying wish to care for the poor mute girl. It was just one extra mouth to feed, no threat at all.

But after what happened today, she realized things weren't so simple. What had she missed? What could make her son disregard her life for a mute?

Polly couldn't figure it out. The only solution, she decided, was to make the girl disappear for good. Only then would the festering resentment in her heart be soothed.

Renata's eyes lit up at her mother's words, and she eagerly fanned the flames. "I told you before, Mom, that mute is more cunning than she looks. She went to the office to seduce Santino, and you didn't believe me. Do you believe me now?"

Polly's gaze flickered as she mulled over the idea, remaining silent.

When Clifford entered the main house, the butler rushed to greet him, his face alight with relief. "Sir, you've returned!"

"Where are the two of them?" Clifford asked, his voice flat.

The butler's smile froze. He had assumed Clifford was here to see his mother, but his first question was about the maids. How could he be so indifferent to his own mother's well-being?

"They're still kneeling out back, sir," the butler said hesitantly. "After Madam fainted this afternoon, things got chaotic, and no one attended to them. Oh, and Madam just woke up. You should go see her. She's terribly heartbroken."

"I will," Clifford replied coolly, heading for the stairs.

Wilma saw him coming and hurried inside to warn Polly. So when Clifford entered the room, he was greeted by the sight of his mother lying in bed, looking as if she were at death's door, her vacant eyes staring at the ceiling as tears streamed down her face.

"Clifford, you're here," Renata said, rushing to his side. "Please, talk to Mom. If something really happens to her, won't you feel any guilt?"

Clifford stood by the bed, observing Polly for a long moment.

Taking the hint, Renata quietly left the room, leaving them alone.

Polly was speechless. She had always told him a man had to be ruthless to succeed, but she never taught him to be so cold-hearted as to turn on his own mother.

"Clifford, is that mute really so important to you?"

A flicker of something unreadable crossed his eyes before his expression hardened back into its usual cold mask.

"No one is important to me," he said. "Not her, and not you."

Polly's face went white. "What did you say?"

"If you'd like, I don't mind repeating myself."