A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 1097

But in a place like Yoran Country, Yardley's word was absolute law.

Even though Herbert was a close ally, he didn't actually hold much sway over the major strategic decisions.

"It's fine," Herbert said quietly. "I have the rest of my life to earn her trust back."

Compared to Fairfax, merely having this opportunity was a monumental blessing.

Fairfax had completely lost that chance forever.

"But her trust isn't exactly easy to win," Rudolf cautioned.

They all knew exactly how hard Fairfax had tried over the past few months.

Herbert knew exactly what Rudolf was implying. He let out a dark chuckle. "And look how fast Fairfax crushed whatever fragile trust he managed to build."

No, it wasn't even trust!

Starla had never truly believed in Fairfax to begin with...

Just when Fairfax was desperately trying to rebuild a bridge between them—pouring so much effort into it.

He let his family completely obliterate it once again.

In Starla's eyes, Fairfax was shattered beyond repair.

"Now, our world is completely free of any outside interference!"

No more interference from Fairfax, and no more interference from Yardley's twisted schemes.

And most importantly, no more interference born from conflicting business interests.

"How could Fairfax ever win her trust back? To him, she always had a price tag attached."

"She was always one bad cost-benefit analysis away from being thrown to the wolves!"

Whether it was Fairfax or Yardley.

That was exactly why Starla had been so utterly desperate to escape them.

"But in her mind, you're exactly the same, sir," Rudolf pointed out.

Starla knew perfectly well that Fairfax and Yardley viewed her as a transaction.

But deep down, she believed Herbert viewed her the exact same way!

Hearing that, Herbert fell completely silent.

Rudolf was right. Wasn't that exactly how he appeared in Starla's eyes?

Especially right now, when Fairfax and Yardley probably hadn't even fully processed her 'death.'

Herbert considered this and nodded. "You're right. She's far too smart for that."

In times like this, she knew perfectly well that laying low was her only option.

So she definitely wouldn't reach out to anyone.

Thinking about it that way put Herbert's mind at ease.

...

Half a month later.

Time flew by for some, but for others, every single day felt like an agonizing eternity. Fairfax was one of the latter.

Ever since returning to the Cyrus Sea, he had been trapped in a catatonic daze...

For days on end, he refused to eat, drink, or sleep.

In just two short weeks, he had visibly withered away, looking like a hollow shell of his former self.

"Are you serious right now..." Amos muttered, finally reaching his breaking point!