What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 116

Finnian couldn't argue with that. He nodded. "You're right, Grandmother. I'll tighten internal oversight. It won't happen again."

Just then, the heavy oak doors opened and Elaine walked in, her face lined with concern. "Finnian? Mom? What's going on in here?"

Josephine let out a cold scoff. "Elaine, perfect timing. You're his mother. You obviously know about the Aethelstan manager trying to frame Kaia. We both know this wasn't an isolated incident. The real question is, who was pulling his strings? You should know exactly who I'm talking about."

Elaine's heart skipped a beat. What kind of mess was this now?

She shot a quick look at Finnian before turning back to her mother-in-law, her voice gentle. "Mom, where is this coming from? Surely you don't suspect Noelle? That makes no sense. Aethelstan was Rafael's life's work. Why would Noelle risk the company's reputation on some petty, underhanded scheme?"

She waved a dismissive hand. "It's just poor middle-management. One of the lower-level guys screwed up. Punish him and be done with it. And honestly, Silas is out of line. Dragging this out in front of the board? He's just airing our dirty laundry for outsiders to gawk at."

Josephine's face darkened.

Finnian stayed quiet, simply standing off to the side, letting his mother run interference.

Elaine pressed her advantage. "It's good for young men to have ambition, but crossing lines like that shows a severe lack of respect. Finnian, as the head of the family, you need to put your cousin in his place. The Sanders family isn't going to sit back and let an extended family member point fingers at the CEO in the boardroom."

Hearing this, Finnian finally smiled faintly. "You're absolutely right, Mom. I'll make a note of it."

Though Josephine was furious, she was still a pragmatist. Blood was blood, and Elaine's point about Silas overstepping wasn't entirely wrong.

Stepping out of the matriarch's study, Finnian and Elaine walked together into the sprawling central courtyard.

Elaine stopped and turned to face her son, her expression dead serious. "Finnian. Tell me the truth right now. Did Noelle have anything to do with this?"

Finnian didn't answer immediately. Under the glow of the crystal courtyard lights, his sharp profile was cast in deep shadows, masking his emotions.

"No," he finally said, his voice absolute. "The evidence points entirely to the manager. It had nothing to do with Noelle."

Originally, Josephine had wanted to send Noelle abroad with a massive severance package. Even if Noelle found a new boyfriend and started a new family, the Sanders estate would have ensured she lived like royalty.

But the plan had failed, and Finnian had practically gone to war with his grandmother over it, leaving the old woman furious.

When Elaine had pitched this new, radical compromise, Josephine had weighed the pros and cons and ultimately agreed.

Shortly after the New Year festivities wrapped up, it was almost time for Brynlee to start school. The night before her first day, the Sanders family gathered at the main estate for dinner. This time, Noelle had been formally invited.

After dinner, the staff set up dessert and tea in the drawing room. Josephine excused herself, claiming a headache, and went upstairs to rest. Elaine gathered the younger generation.

She sat in the center seat, wearing a stunning emerald green silk gown, her pearl necklace gleaming softly, fully embodying her role as the lady of the house.

"I asked you all to stay because I have a family matter to announce."