A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 426

Fairfax lit a cigarette with a flick of his wrist, inhaling deeply before letting the smoke out in a frustrated plume. “Go to the Farley Group,” he ordered Gabriel.

“Yes, sir.”

Over the years, Herbert had cultivated extensive partnerships with the Hoggart Group. If anyone in Marina City had insight into their inner workings, it would be him.

…

It was five in the afternoon by the time they reached the Farley Group headquarters. The entire day, wasted on a futile trip back to the Yelchin estate, had been a lesson in powerlessness. He had never felt the hours slip away so meaninglessly.

Herbert initially refused to see him, so Fairfax resorted to cornering him in the underground parking garage. When Herbert saw him, his face was a mask of cold indifference.

The sight stung Fairfax, but he reminded himself that Herbert had always been this way, even when they were on better terms. A warm smile had never been part of his repertoire, and certainly not now, after Starla had driven such a wedge between them.

“I thought we had reached a point where seeing each other was no longer necessary,” Herbert said, his voice devoid of warmth. After all, the relationship that had required them to meet no longer existed.

Fairfax’s chest tightened. “I have to ask you something.”

Herbert stood with his hands in his pockets, his gaze chillingly direct.

Fairfax took a step closer. “The Hoggart Group. Why are they targeting me so relentlessly?”

Herbert remained silent, an unreadable expression on his face. “So, you’re finally asking,” his silence seemed to say.

“It feels like they want me dead,” Fairfax continued, his voice raw with desperation. “I need to know who it is.”

Any other man, hearing such a grave accusation, would have at least considered investigating it. But Fairfax’s blind loyalty to his family was, at times, infuriatingly absolute.

Herbert had lost his patience. He turned to leave, but Fairfax grabbed his arm.

“Are you involved in this, Herbert?”

The question had been gnawing at him. He still didn’t know if Herbert was pulling the strings behind the Hoggart Group’s assault.

Herbert looked down at the hand on his arm, then back up at Fairfax. “What do you think?”

Fairfax ignored the counter-question, his voice dropping to a low growl. “Does this have to do with your feelings for Starla?”