A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 684

Darleen's mind raced as she rationalized her actions. Judging by the chaotic behavior of Harley's brothers today, they were nothing but worthless fools. If Yelchin Group had fallen into their hands, it would have been a disaster anyway.

Seeing the wild, panicked shifts in her mother's expression, Xenia quickly stepped forward and grabbed her arm. "Mom, don't listen to her crazy talk! The company is still standing. You aren't a sinner!"

"Exactly! I'm not a sinner!" Darleen roared, her eyes locking onto Brinley with manic intensity. "Once I destroy Starla, everything will go back to the way it was! How could I possibly be the bad guy here?"

Brinley let out a dry, mocking laugh. "Do you really think you can take down Starla?"

If it were that easy, Brinley would be popping champagne with them. But after enduring months of Starla's calculated, flawless psychological warfare, Brinley had lost all faith in anyone's ability to defeat her. Darleen and Xenia were way out of their league.

Hearing the profound skepticism in Brinley's voice, the rock-solid confidence Darleen and Xenia had felt just moments prior began to waver.

Could they?

They had to. If they failed to crush Starla this time, they would be trapped under her boot for the rest of their miserable lives.

Xenia's face paled slightly, but she forced a haughty sneer. "Weren't you listening? She's sleeping with Kael Shipley. A married man."

"Exactly," Darleen chimed in, desperately clinging to their lifeline. "Do you honestly think a woman who secured her position as Mrs. Shipley is easily fooled? The pathetic little tricks Starla uses won't even scratch the surface against a woman of her social standing!"

That was precisely why they had staked their entire existence on Mrs. Shipley. They were starving for Starla's downfall. And they knew deep down that if a titan like Mrs. Shipley couldn't eradicate her, then no one on earth could.

Xenia and Darleen turned their backs on her.

"Mom," Xenia whispered, a sudden flicker of doubt in her eyes. "When Mrs. Shipley finally confronts Starla... do you think Herbert will still try to protect her?"

"How could he?" Darleen asked.

"He wouldn't?"

Xenia chewed on her lower lip. Whenever Starla had clashed with their family, Herbert had swooped in like a relentless guardian angel. The thought of him intervening again gnawed at her. She desperately wanted to see Starla completely isolated and helpless.