A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 874

Herbert was indeed acting without regard for the consequences.

Starla took a deep breath. "Apparently, Herbert has a 'true love' hidden deep in his past, and Brinley is her half-sister."

Although Herbert hadn't admitted it, it was the only reason Starla could think of to explain his intense devotion to Brinley.

"What? No way!" Tanya scoffed. Herbert didn't strike anyone as a man pining over a lost love. It sounded even more ridiculous than his father keeping mistresses.

"I don't believe it for a second. If Herbert had a great love, everyone in Marina City would know about it."

His private life had always been under intense scrutiny. If there was a woman, they wouldn't just be finding out about it now.

Starla paused. Tanya had a point. "So you don't think it's about a dead lover?"

"Absolutely not," Tanya said without missing a beat.

"Then why is he protecting her so fiercely?"

Tanya hummed in thought. "I don't know, but I'd bet my life it's about some kind of leverage or business interest."

Interests. The word made Starla fall silent. What kind of leverage could possibly make him protect Brinley like this? And why couldn't he just be honest with her about it?

"So, what are you going to do since he's demanding her back?" Tanya asked. Herbert was a man who always got what he wanted, and he hadn't backed down an inch when confronting Starla. Now that Starla had snatched Brinley away, he was bound to come after her.

"He still dares to show his face?"

"Yeah. Anyway, I'm planning to leave for Ravena Country," Starla admitted.

"When? Will the Hoggart family even let you go?" Tanya knew immediately why Starla wanted out. Since returning to Yoran Country, Starla had been swamped in a suffocating web of secrets.

"Whether they let me or not, I'm leaving. Tanya, I desperately need to be somewhere alone to clear my head."

She needed a place free of Fairfax, Herbert, and the Hoggart family.

Tanya completely understood the feeling.