A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 904

"What a headache," Yardley muttered.

...

Meanwhile, back at the Hoggart estate.

Seeing that Starla had ended her call, Rudolf stepped forward. "Are we ready to go, Ms. Lansbury?"

Starla shot him a glacial glare! She was looking at him the exact same way she looked at Herbert—as if she wanted to rip his throat out.

"It's fine if you don't want to pack anything," Rudolf added smoothly. "We can purchase whatever you need at the Black Sea."

Of course, the quality wouldn't compare to what they had here, but they would manage.

"I'm not going!"

Her refusal remained unyielding. After that phone call with Yardley, her mind was completely made up. There was no point in staying here anymore.

Her biological brother? The princess of the Hoggart family? She was none of those things. And she didn't want to be!

Right now, she only had one thought: get the hell out of this place. She didn't care where she went, as long as it meant cutting all ties with Herbert and Fairfax.

"I'm afraid it's not up to you," Rudolf said, his tone perfectly polite.

Starla said nothing.

"Based on your conversation with Mr. Hoggart, I assume you understand that you have no choice but to come with us today."

Even her own brother hadn't stopped them from taking her to Herbert.

"Home," Starla scoffed bitterly. It was hilarious. Even in her own 'home', she had zero authority?

When Yardley picked her up at the airport, he had promised her this was her home. He had lavished her with gifts and grand gestures, telling her she finally belonged somewhere. Was this what belonging felt like? If this was truly her home, why didn't she even have the freedom to stay in it?

"No choice?"

Starla closed her eyes. When she opened them, she radiated a suffocating chill.

"Would you like me to have someone gather your usual toiletries—"

"I'm walking into my own grave," she interrupted deadpan. "What do I need luggage for?"

Rudolf winced, his headache worsening. The misunderstandings were running deep, but it was up to Herbert to clear the air. Besides, Rudolf only knew fragments of the truth himself.

Empty-handed, Starla followed the men out of the sprawling Hoggart estate.

As she climbed into the car, she cast one final look at the magnificent castle she had once viewed with such hope. *Once I leave, I'm never coming back,* she promised herself. To her, this place had been nothing but a cruel joke.

She quickly looked away.

Noticing her expression, Rudolf tried to offer a shred of comfort. "Don't worry. You'll be back here in half a month at the latest."

Starla didn't bother replying...

The words 'be back' sounded so incredibly foolish to her. She refused to make a joke of her life a second time.