Chapter 38
The tall, lean man in the black suit strode in, the dark rosary once again on his wrist. His face was grim as he approached.
A glint of triumph flashed in Hannah’s eyes. This homewrecker had actually hit her. She was finished. She didn’t even need to fake being the victim this time.
She limped over to Theobald, grabbing his arm and leaning into him, her sobs muffled against his suit. “Theo, I sent you so many messages, and you didn’t reply. I was so worried something had happened to you, so I came to find you p>
Her assistant chimed in. “It’s true, Mr. Scott. Hannah’s leg was badly hurt in an accident, but she didn’t even go to the hospital. She rushed right over here because she was so worried about you p>
Hannah looked up at him, her eyes swimming with tears. “When I got to your office, I just asked where you were, and she slapped me. Now my leg hurts, and my face hurts… it hurts so much.” The girl in the white dress looked fragile and pitiful, the red handprint on her cheek a clear testament to her suffering.
“That’s a load of nonsense!” a booming male voice suddenly interjected from the doorway.
Hannah and her assistant turned to see four older individuals-two men and two women—marching in, their gazes fixed on Hannah. They were the company’s veteran board members. After the meeting, they had cornered Theobald, desperate to know if this Marguerite was really the one they thought had died. Theobald had simply confirmed that she hadn’t died and had come back.
Overjoyed, the four had insisted on coming with him to see her. They hadn’t seen her in over a decade and had missed her terribly. They hadn’t expected to walk into such a melodrama. Marguerite had just slapped Theobald’s new flame, and the woman was now playing the victim.
Fearing Theobald might be blinded by lust and turn on Marguerite, the oldest of the group, Sean, had spoken up.
Hannah, intimidated by their aggressive entrance, shrank further into Theobald’s side. “I’m not lying p>
The four veterans rushed over and formed a protective barrier in front of the desk.
Grace, a middle-aged woman with her hair in a severe bun, narrowed her eyes. “Still claiming you’re not lying? The wound on your knee is clearly makeup. You can’t fool me. It’s barely a scratch.” ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ
Theobald’s eyes widened in shock as he glanced down at Hannah’s knee.
Sean added, “Our Maggie would never hit someone without a reason. Don’t you dare try to frame her p>
Boris declared, “Theobald, don’t you even think about blaming our Maggie. If you lay
a hand on her, you’ll have to go through our three dead bodies first p>
Edith, the other woman, nodded in agreement before realizing what he’d said and shooting Boris an exasperated look.
A venomous glint appeared in Hannah’s eyes. She had no idea how this woman had managed to win over so many people, but it didn’t matter. As long as Theobald was on her side, she would win.
She tightened her grip on his arm, her voice thick with tears. “Theo, if everyone says it’s my fault, then… then I guess it’s my fault p>
“It is your fault,” Theobald said, his voice cold as he pulled his arm free.
Hannah’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Theobald had only felt a flicker of guilt for not showing up or letting Hannah know he wasn’t coming.
That was why he hadn’t innet
pushed her away. But hearing Ker elaborate lies and seeing the fake wound on her knee he had to
wonder what her real motive was.
He looked at the four veterans standing guard and sighed in exasperation. He fiddled with his rosary. “What are you all doing? Do you really think I’m the kind of
person who can’t tell right
l right front
wrong p>
Swor
All four of them nodded in unison.
Theobald was at a loss for words. He really needed to work on his public image.
“Maggie! Maggie, are you okay?” The
office door burst open again, and Anna rushed in. She hurried past the board members to Marguerite’s side, looking her up, and down Did Hannah do anything to you? Did Mr. Scott p>
Hannah stared at her, incredulous. Was she some kind of monster? And more importantly, she was the victim here!
Theobald’s face grew even darker, resembling the bottom of a ten-year-old pot. What had he done to make everyone assume he would side with an outsider against his own sister?