A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 1263

After witnessing Starla's absolute indifference to the lives lost, Susanna knew Fairfax was wasting his breath.

"Just stay away from her until I get to Maxlandia," Fairfax ordered.

"You're coming here?"

"Herbert Farley is already there. Watch your back."

Hearing Herbert's name only darkened Susanna's mood further.

"I'll never understand why you men are so obsessed with a woman like her!"

Herbert had helped her fake her own death, and Fairfax... despite the mountain of corpses between them, he was still rushing to her side.

She hung up without waiting for his reply.

The moment she lowered her phone, a sleek black SUV pulled up to the curb. Garret stepped out, his expression grave.

"Ms. Yelchin," he greeted.

Susanna eyed him defensively. "What?"

"You shouldn't be here."

She had sneaked out. She knew which hospital Elmer was staying at, and she knew Starla would come running the moment she returned. Susanna had waited here deliberately, hoping to be a thorn in her side.

Even though she had no real power in Maxlandia, she wanted to make Starla miserable.

But the confrontation hadn't gone as planned. Starla hadn't felt an ounce of guilt. In fact, Starla's words had cut deeper. In the end, Susanna was the one left reeling.

"Get in the car," Garret instructed.

She had been raised in a home filled with love.

So he never intended for her to be dragged into their cutthroat world of power and leverage.

But timing had been cruel. The moment she arrived, he had been swamped with political crises, leaving him no time to even go home. And while he was out managing the country's affairs, Yardley—the son who should have protected her—had thrown her to the wolves.

It was his fault. He had groomed Yardley to be the ruthless heir of the Hoggart family. Yardley didn't understand compassion. He had no idea how to love or care for a sister.

"It's my fault for letting you endure all of that," Elmer sighed.

Normally, Elmer didn't micromanage his son's methods. The end result was all that mattered. But he never imagined Yardley's ambition would drag Starla so deep into the crossfire.

Starla instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but Elmer's grip tightened.