A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 997

It was an impossible choice: either put Starla in mortal danger, or find a way to keep Licht alive.

Ultimately, Herbert dialed Yardley's number.

At that exact moment, Yardley was tearing apart Licht's study, desperately searching for the ancient book Starla had mentioned, but coming up empty-handed. When he answered Herbert's call, his breathing was heavy and ragged.

"Licht cannot die tonight!" Yardley barked.

If they had found the ancient book tonight, they wouldn't have cared whether the old bastard lived or died. But without the book, Licht's survival was non-negotiable.

"If we protect him, it's going to put her in danger," Herbert warned. "You know what that old bastard wants to do with her..."

Herbert left the sentence unfinished. To this day, neither of them understood why Licht had been so fiercely protective of Brinley, or why her death had triggered such an extreme vendetta against Starla. They were operating in the dark.

Yardley fell dead silent.

Would it put Starla in danger?

"This is a damn nightmare of a choice," Herbert muttered.

"Why don't we just wash our hands of it and let Amos put the old bastard in the ground?" Herbert suggested.

"No!" Yardley shot back instantly. No matter what, Licht could not die tonight.

"Then what do you want to do? Both our forces have taken heavy hits, and God knows how many mercenaries Starla hired. She is dead set on taking Licht's life!"

The word "dead set" made Yardley's headache spike. She was his own sister, but her rebellious streak was becoming entirely unmanageable.

"This is exactly why women shouldn't be given so much pocket money," Yardley grumbled.

There was nothing else to be done. They had been raised in two entirely different worlds. Expecting his sister to understand the ruthless pragmatism of his choices was impossible.

"Then I'll leave it to you," Herbert said. He wanted nothing more to do with the bloodbath on Manton Isle. Starla already hated him enough; standing by and doing nothing was the only move he had left.

The call ended. Herbert sat in the quiet of his car and smoked two cigarettes back-to-back.

Rudolf watched him through the rearview mirror and couldn't help but ask, "Sir, do you think Mr. Hoggart will make the same call you almost did?"

Given the massive casualties they had taken, Amos was fighting like a rabid dog. Would Yardley actually try to use Starla to force Amos to stand down?

Herbert closed his eyes tightly. "She's his own flesh and blood. He knows where to draw the line."

*Draw the line?* Rudolf kept his thoughts to himself. When it came to Yardley Hoggart, the only line he had ever truly respected was the bottom line of his own interests.