A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 344

“His character is questionable,” Vivian stated simply.

“Hey, that’s not fair,” Caden protested. “We’re two different people. Just because you have doubts about him, why are you lumping me in with him?”

“My mother always said, ‘You are the company you keep.’”

Caden felt a headache coming on. A mama’s girl. Did she need her mother to tell her how to judge people?

Before he could argue further, Vivian hung up.

The dial tone buzzed in his ear, and Caden felt completely defeated. Had Fairfax’s reputation really just torpedoed his own chances? He hadn't even done anything. It was so unfair.

And Fairfax… was his family situation really that complicated? How had he let it get this out of control?

…

Back at the Yelchin estate, Starla’s routine was simple: eat and sleep. Amidst the chaos she had created, she was the only person in the household at peace. No matter how much Darleen, Xenia, or Brinley raged, they couldn’t get anywhere near her.

Herbert called her.

“How was your day?” he asked, his tone light.

“The first battle was a resounding success,” Starla replied with a smile.

“Hmm,” Herbert said. “I’ve already heard the news.”

“How… did you find out?” Starla asked, surprised. Could Herbert have someone inside the Yelchin estate? She instinctively glanced at the servants standing behind her.

“You caused such a commotion today, burning down so many places,” Herbert explained. “It would have been hard for me not to hear about it.”

Starla chuckled softly at his words.

Starla nodded, satisfied.

When Fairfax arrived, a servant was just placing Starla’s dinner on the table—a portion for one. Darleen and the others were nowhere to be seen.

Fairfax frowned at the sight of the unfamiliar staff filling his home. He saw Starla, who glanced at him for a brief moment before returning her attention to her meal, eating as if he wasn't there.

He walked over and pulled out the chair opposite her, sitting down. He was still in his black suit, though the top button of his black shirt was undone, and his tie was gone, likely pulled off in the car.

Fairfax lit a cigarette and took a drag, his voice deceptively calm. “Did you only have them make enough for one at lunch, too?”

“Do you have a problem with that?” Starla retorted without looking up.

“Why did you come back?” he asked, his tone turning colder.

Starla understood his underlying meaning immediately: if she was going to come back, she should treat this place like a home. If she had no intention of doing so, then there was no point in her being here.