A Wedding Night Gone Terribly Wrong novel Chapter 170

When Quentin finally texted Winifred back, he didn't ask for her location or offer to come keep her company.

Instead, he sent a completely different message:

[Winifred, something major came up at home. I'm going to be completely tied up for the next few days, so I won't be able to come see you. The clinic I'm setting up for you will be ready in about ten days. Since you don't have to work right now, just consider this a vacation. Get some rest.]

Winifred easily played along.

[Understood. Don't work too hard, and take care of yourself.]

[You too, don't exhaust yourself. I love you!]

Winifred had no idea that Quentin's sudden change of plans was due to Shelly Hale's pregnancy, or that he was currently scrambling to deal with an unborn child he desperately didn't want.

And she didn't care.

Her sole focus was on Iris-Adams Biopharma and Holden's progress.

A few days later, Leland provided her with two crucial updates:

First, Holden and Iris had temporarily moved into Riverbend Estates specifically because of the prestigious international school and its affiliated kindergarten in the district. They wanted it for Jordyn. (Note: The house was a short-term rental. Leland had already contacted the landlord and had their lease terminated.)

Second, Holden had officially set up an office in North Tech Park. He was currently in negotiations to acquire a struggling, mid-sized pharmaceutical company.

Before Winifred could formulate a plan to counter him, she received a call from Nelly.

Holden had chartered a private jet to fly them all to Seaport City for his and Iris's grand engagement party.

Nelly hadn't traveled since she fell ill, but her deep affection for Iris was apparently worth risking her frail health. Naturally, she required a live-in physician for the trip. She had originally wanted the highly acclaimed Dr. Adams, believing he offered better medical security, but Iris had talked her out of it, claiming his clinic was far too busy for him to leave town.

So, she was forced to abandon her preferred doctor and summon Winifred instead.

Winifred was going to attend the engagement party anyway. Iris desperately wanted to flaunt her victory, and Holden had personally delivered the invitation just to rub it in her face.

She knew exactly what she was walking into—an absolute warzone.

Her only hesitation was leaving her two children behind.

Sensing her anxiety, Leland made a special trip to her house. He sat on the living room sofa, crossing one long leg over the other, letting Seth and Annelise sit on his sturdy calf as he gently bounced them like a human seesaw.

"Having you live here will facilitate a proper evaluation of your character," Seth replied smoothly.

"Oh!" Leland laughed.

"What about you, Annie?" Winifred asked.

"Acceptable!" Annelise echoed in her sweet, milky voice. "To 'valuate your character!"

Leland chuckled, shaking his head. "So I'm not here to babysit, I'm here to be interrogated by the in-laws?"

It certainly felt that way. He had essentially delivered himself to the judges' panel. If they liked him, great. If they didn't, his pursuit of their mother was going to be an uphill battle.

He rubbed his temples, making a mental note to buy a stack of parenting books tomorrow. He needed to figure out how to win over children, fast.

The day Winifred departed for Seaport City, Iris and Holden had already arrived and settled back into the Lockwood Mansion.

Upstairs, in Madeleine's private quarters, the doors were locked tight, and heavy blackout curtains were drawn, plunging the room into total, suffocating darkness.