“He promised to give me an explanation. How could he let them go?”
“Ma’am, Sir did instruct us to let them leave. Without his blessing, no one could have gone out of the estate in the middle of the night.”
After hearing that, Portia stood up and stormed toward Stephen’s study.
At the same time, knowing his wife would come for him, the man intentionally waited in his study.
Stepping into the room, Portia demanded an explanation from Stephen with a frigid expression.
“Stephen, you have to give me and Daphne an explanation as promised!”
“Asking them to leave is the best way to handle this,” Stephen said in a steady tone with his eyes fixed on Portia.
It sounded like he had contemplated these words for some time.
The woman snorted loudly with indignance. “They hurt Daphne, yet you allowed them to leave just like that. How is this the best way to handle this matter? Stephen, I don’t agree!”
Stephen had already anticipated that Portia would say this.
He then spoke sternly, “Don’t you already know why the kids hurt Daphne?”
What’s he trying to say by questioning me this way?
“If we look into this matter, we’ll find that Daphne was the one who started it. She brought this upon herself!” he added.
Portia felt a pang of disappointment as she glared at her husband.
Daphne went against the kids and Nicole for my sake. And I have my reason for wanting to deal with that woman. It all started because she wanted to seduce you! But you sided with her and her kids so blatantly and even released them in the middle of the night. Doesn’t that mean my request for an explanation, as well as Daphne’s injury, are not as important as Nicole? That homewrecker indeed has a way with men!
“Stephen, you favor Nicole so much. You even let her and the kids enter the tea room which even I’m not allowed in. Have you fallen for her? Is that why you showed such partiality toward her?”
Instantly, the man slammed the table forcefully. “Nonsense!”
“Is that not the case? Then why do you treat her differently?” she questioned him harshly.
It’s because of Rosalie. Nicole looks so much like Rosalie, whom I’ve wronged. I did this to atone for my mistakes, even though I know full well that she isn’t Rosalie. For some unknown reason, I feel close to Nicole, but it’s not the kind of affection between a man and a woman. After all, the love I have for Rosalie is irreplaceable.
Stephen remained silent as his eyes glinted with an inscrutable emotion. Portia balled up her fists, taking his silence as his admission of guilt.
He finally admits it. He must have asked Nicole to leave on purpose to avoid my reprimand. I bet he’s hiding her somewhere so he can cheat on me. When the opportunity arises, he’ll probably be so smitten with her and make her the duchess. Stephen Musgrave, I’ve been with you for years but you never loved me. While I don’t have your heart, I must have the duchess’ title! Anyone who tries to usurp my position can only die!
Suppressing her anger, she glowered at his back for a moment before storming out of the study.
Stephen watched her leave while sighing inwardly.
I hope this is the end of this mess.
However, Stephen’s wish didn’t come true. Things turned out against his will.
After Portia left, she immediately commanded someone to locate Nicole’s whereabouts.
“Money isn’t an issue as long as you can make her vanish forever,” she emphasized.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Just as she finished talking, Levant came over hastily.
He had come to confront her about Nicole.
“Mom, did you chase them away?”
Portia cast a look of disdain at Levant. If you haven’t brought the homewrecker here, I wouldn’t be so troubled.
“Why? Are you going to look for her and bring her back?” she asked through gritted teeth.
“Mom, why must you kick her out?”
The woman sniggered at him. “Don’t accuse me. I didn’t chase her away; she left on her own in the middle of the night. Ask your dad if you don’t believe me.”
