What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 188

"Is that true?" Elaine's eyes turned vicious.

"Yes. People were saying the interview was originally offered to Dr. Chavez, and only went to Ms. Lawrence because Dr. Chavez rejected it. Now everyone is saying Ms. Lawrence is just taking her scraps..."

Wendy's voice trailed off as she kept her head down.

Elaine's face turned completely livid.

So that was it. Kaia again.

Acting like she was so above it all by declining the interview, only to turn around and unleash her staff to viciously tear Noelle down.

Who wouldn't be completely traumatized by something like that?

"I understand. Go get the food," Elaine ordered, marching straight for the elevators.

Her fury boiled over. Kaia wanted to play the humble saint, but couldn't stand seeing anyone else shine. It was absolutely venomous.

Up in the VIP room, the sound of Elaine pushing the door open woke Noelle.

She fluttered her eyes open and saw Finnian sitting beside her, and Elaine walking in.

"Mom? Finnian? What are you doing here?" Noelle asked, looking perfectly surprised.

Finnian leaned back in his chair, his voice gentle. "I've been here for a little while. You were sleeping, so I didn't want to wake you."

Elaine looked at Noelle's colorless face, and her heart broke.

She immediately spun on Finnian. "Finnian, what is wrong with you? Noelle has always had a delicate constitution, and the pressure at Aethelstan is massive. Why aren't you providing her with more support?"

Finnian rubbed his temples, his voice low and raspy. "That's on me, Mom. I'll assign someone else to help her out."

"How did you get so sick all of a sudden? Did something happen?" Elaine asked, pretending she didn't already know.

Finnian pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

Naturally, Noelle didn't say anything either. She shot a quick glance at Finnian, then lowered her head, a faint glimmer of tears catching in her eyes.

Seeing her act so brave and wounded absolutely melted Elaine's heart.

"Rest, Noelle. Don't worry about a thing. If someone is out to get you, I'll put them in their place."

Elaine shot Finnian a glaring look. "Finnian, you need to step up and handle this."

Finnian's handsome features tightened, but he nodded. "I know, Mom. Take care of Noelle. I have to go."

"Where are you going?" Elaine demanded.

"I'm heading to the Chavez house to pick up Brynlee," Finnian replied, before walking out of the room.

It was a picturesque neighborhood near the university. The evening light filtered through the tall sycamore trees, casting soft shadows across the street.

"He had a dinner meeting tonight," Jane replied curtly.

Finnian didn't push it. He carried Brynlee outside to look at the flowers in the garden.

"Daddy, look! There are bees! Are they making honey?" Brynlee pointed excitedly.

"Yeah, they are," Finnian replied, his mind completely elsewhere. He couldn't help but wonder if Kaia's recent talk of divorce had already been discussed with her parents.

Kaia stepped out onto the porch. "Brynlee, time for dinner."

Finnian held his daughter's hand and walked back into the house.

"Let's eat, Finnian. We didn't have much time to prepare, so it's just a simple family dinner," Jane said, her tone perfectly polite but entirely distant.

Finnian nodded and offered a polite smile.

Looking at her incredibly successful, handsome son-in-law, Jane couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sorrow and regret.

If he had married Kaia and truly loved her, if he had been faithful to their marriage, what a beautiful life they could have had.

Maybe perfect happiness was just a fairy tale, and regret was the reality.

Just thinking about it made her heart ache.

The housekeeper had cooked and left, leaving only the three adults and Brynlee in the dining room.