What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 140

Finnian sat at his desk, a trace of exhaustion showing between his brows.

"Have the rumors been handled?" Elaine demanded, clearly displeased.

Finnian nodded. "Yes, it's under control. Neither side has suffered significant damage, and we've tracked down a few of the ringleaders. We'll make an example of them legally."

Elaine's sharp gaze locked onto her son. "Finnian, why would something like this happen out of nowhere? Is someone trying to sabotage Aethelstan's project?"

Finnian's heart sank. "Mom, are you implying..."

"Am I not being clear enough?" Elaine's voice rose. "Right when Aethelstan secures this deal, a scandal breaks out? And they use such a dirty, underhanded tactic to ruin a woman's reputation? Calling her a lonely widow? Even as a widow, not just any man is worthy of her! How dare they imply she'd just throw herself at anyone?"

Elaine grew more furious the longer she spoke. "Since Rafael passed away, do you know how hard it's been for Noelle? She has to fend off backstabbing and corporate warfare in the business world, all while taking care of everyone's feelings at home. She's been so good to us. If we don't stamp this out now, there's going to be more mud slung her way."

Finnian could see his mother's heartbreak and fierce protectiveness over Noelle. He nodded in agreement. "Mom, rumors are baseless; anyone can start one. Don't worry, we're going to send a clear warning this time. The people who started this are going to pay dearly."

"Does this have anything to do with Kaia?" Elaine asked, pointing the finger directly.

Finnian was silent for a few seconds before answering, "It wasn't her. Kaia isn't like that."

Elaine's eyes filled with dissatisfaction. "Finnian, is there a problem between you and Kaia lately? I wasn't born yesterday. She does whatever she pleases now. She has zero respect for the Sanders family, and she clearly has no respect for you as her husband."

Finnian's handsome face froze.

"She's completely lost all sense of boundaries and respect. If this keeps up, how are you two even going to stay married?"

Finnian's voice darkened. "Mom, there's no proof, so let's not argue about this. Kaia is my wife, and I know her well enough. She's always protected the Sanders family's reputation. She wouldn't do anything out of line."

"Enough. I didn't come here to listen to you make excuses for her. I need you to act like the head of the household and stop letting her walk all over us." Ever since their clash over Brynlee's illness, Elaine had been holding a grudge against Kaia's mother, Jane, and the resentment had only festered.

She was convinced Kaia was plotting something.

"Mom, I'll have a talk with her. Just calm down." Finnian knew his mother constantly compared Kaia to Noelle, and her bias naturally skewed in Noelle's favor. But making those comparisons was pointless.

"You need to ask her exactly when she plans to give the Sanders family another child. I'll be blunt: the family needs a male heir. A healthy grandson to carry on the Sanders name." Elaine couldn't hold back her demands anymore. Putting it all on the table made her feel a little better.

Finnian's sharp brows pulled together. "Mom, we'll talk about this later."

"What do you mean, 'later'? She's in perfectly good health. If you two just try, we could have news in a month." Elaine was practically forcing the issue.

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