A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 370

Garret met her at the bottom of the stairs and reported on the morning’s events with Darleen and Xenia. Starla listened, a slight arch to her eyebrow. Then a slow smile spread across her face.

"Good," she said. "The one who makes the rules must be the first to follow them. How can it be otherwise?"

Fairfax was descending the stairs just in time to overhear her pronouncement. His face darkened into a thunderous mask. He strode down the remaining steps and came to a halt in front of her, his eyes burning with a murderous rage.

Starla merely glanced at him before turning toward the dining room. "Is breakfast ready?" she asked Garret as she walked. "I'm starving."

"Everything is prepared, Miss," Garret replied.

She sat down at the table, and a maid immediately served her a fragrant meal. The aroma from the soup was particularly delightful.

Ignoring her, Fairfax marched to the front door and threw it open. A torrent of sobs and accusations from Darleen and Xenia flooded the hall.

"Where have you been? I nearly froze to death!" Darleen wailed, pointing a trembling finger at Starla. "You ungrateful son, look at the vicious woman you married! She was trying to kill me!"

Xenia joined in, her cries adding to the chaotic scene.

Unfazed, Starla took a spoonful of soup, then a bite of a crisp flatbread. "Mmm," she murmured, nodding in satisfaction. "This flatbread is excellent today."

"And the soup, Miss," Garret said, respectfully refilling her bowl. "You must have more."

Fairfax, Darleen, and Xenia stormed into the dining room, Darleen continuing her tirade against Starla.

Fairfax’s gaze, cold as ice, was fixed on his wife. The table was set for one.

With a roar of fury, Fairfax lunged forward to flip the table. But as his hands gripped the edge, Garret’s hand shot out and clamped down on top of his, stopping him cold. A silent battle of strength began between the two men.

"Let go," Fairfax growled through clenched teeth.

Garret said nothing, his eyes locking with Fairfax’s as they both applied more pressure.

Her words were a slap in the face. Darleen looked as if she might faint, and a fire ignited in Fairfax's eyes.

Starla kicked her chair aside and sauntered over to the sofa, seating herself gracefully.

"Garret."

"Yes?"

Starla looked at Fairfax's rigid back, a smirk playing on her lips. "Since that wasn't enough for him, help him smash it."

"Yes, Miss," Garret replied.

In a flash, before Fairfax could react, Garret released his hand from the tabletop, slipped it underneath, and with a tremendous crash, he and an unwilling Fairfax sent the heavy dining table flipping through the air.