A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 309

Darleen stormed out of the auction house with a face like thunder, Xenia trailing behind her looking as if she’d been forced to eat grass for a month.

"Darleen, dear!" a voice called out. Seraphina hurried to catch up. "I thought you were here to buy something for Brinley. What's gotten into your younger daughter-in-law? She seems determined to oppose you at every turn!"

Seraphina was Darleen's fiercest rival in their social circle. Her husband was a real estate tycoon, and she took every opportunity to outshine Darleen, especially when it came to jewelry. Today's public drama between Starla and Darleen was exactly the kind of entertainment she lived for. And after Herbert and Fairfax had left, she had been the one most aggressively bidding against Darleen.

Now, she wasn't even pretending to be subtle, her words sharp and direct.

Darleen's already dark expression turned a shade of purple. She shot Seraphina a look, not wanting to argue in front of so many people. She had come to the auction to buy a gift for Brinley and salvage some of the family's reputation. She wanted to show that no matter what internal squabbles they had, the Yelchin family's power was undeniable. But Starla had ruined it from the very first item!

Darleen offered a weak retort. "It seems you didn't manage to acquire anything noteworthy today, either."

Seraphina let out a dry laugh. "Oh, I'm not worried about myself. But you really ought to get a handle on that daughter-in-law of yours."

She leaned in conspiratorially. "Having two daughters-in-law causing so much trouble… it must be so difficult for you as a mother-in-law! You should really learn a thing or two from Circe. Look at her—five daughters-in-law, and they all get along beautifully."

The insult was clear, barely veiled. She was practically calling Darleen an incompetent matriarch.

The memory of Herbert at the auction, shielding Starla, was infuriating. He was supposed to be her fiancé, yet he was acting like this with Starla.

"And when I went to bring him lunch, he threw me out! He said it was impossible!" Xenia continued, her voice rising. "I have no idea what the Farley elders are thinking…"

The more she spoke, the angrier she got. She had humbled herself for Herbert, and he hadn't shown her a shred of decency.

Darleen was just as angry. She had promised Brinley yesterday that she would bring back the blue diamond as a reward. Now she was returning empty-handed.