What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 248

"I am well aware," Josephine cut her off sharply. "Finnian was merely fulfilling his duty as the eldest brother. Whether it was you, a stray cat, or a dog, he would have crouched down to check on it."

Noelle felt an overwhelming wave of humiliation. In the old woman's eyes, was she really on the same level as a stray dog?

It was a vile insult.

"You're absolutely right, Grandmother. Finnian was just acting out of brotherly concern. There was nothing more to it." Despite the fury burning in her chest, Noelle forced herself to reply with cloying sweetness.

Josephine scoffed. "Then that presents a problem. Noelle, unlike stray cats and dogs, you hold a very specific title. You were legally wedded to Rafael. You are Finnian's sister-in-law. Now that you've returned and claimed the title of Miss Sanders, you aren't just representing yourself. You carry the dignity of the Sanders family on your shoulders."

Noelle felt an icy chill seep into her bones. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

"Fine. Since you have nothing to say, I'll say it for you." Josephine took a slow sip of tea to wet her throat. "Finnian's wife is Kaia. He is the head of this family and the CEO of the conglomerate. His public image is heavily scrutinized. Yet you chose to wrap your arms tightly around his neck in front of an entire crowd. Do you not realize how revolting that looks?"

Noelle felt as though she had been struck by a bat. Her lips began to tremble uncontrollably.

The moment she fell, she had indeed purposefully clung to Finnian's neck. In that split second, she had acted like a drowning woman clinging to a lifeboat, seizing any opportunity to pull him closer.

She never imagined the matriarch had seen right through her calculated act.

What could she do?

She thought she had hidden her intentions perfectly. She thought she had played her role flawlessly.

"Noelle." Josephine's voice dropped to a deceptively mild pitch. "How has the Sanders family treated you?"

Terrified, Noelle rushed to answer. "With boundless generosity."

"And how do you treat the Sanders family?" Josephine held her gaze.

Noelle was too frightened to speak immediately. Biting her lip, she finally stammered, "Grandmother, my devotion to this family has never wavered. This is my home. This is the place I want to protect. I am eternally grateful, and even a lifetime wouldn't be enough to repay my debt."

"Good," Josephine nodded, seemingly satisfied.

Noelle glared venomously at the floor, terrified of letting the matriarch see the predatory hatred flashing in her eyes.

Everyone in the Sanders family treated her impeccably. Everyone saw her as family. The matriarch was the only one who constantly kept her at arm's length like an outsider.

Years ago, when she plotted to marry Rafael, Josephine had ruthlessly interfered, trying to arrange a marriage to ship her out of the Sanders household. If Noelle hadn't cunningly seduced Rafael and manipulated him into marrying her, who knows what miserable man she would have been pawned off to?

After marrying Rafael, Noelle had carefully tucked her ambition away. She played her cards right, charmed everyone around her, and elegantly played the role of Rafael's perfect wife. She thought her act was flawless. She thought that if she just waited patiently, the day would come when she ruled the Sanders empire.

But fate was cruel. Rafael had died young, leaving her a widow at thirty-two.

Before his memorial service had even concluded, the matriarch had secretly begun arranging to send her out of the country. Noelle had been terrified, convinced her years of scheming were about to vanish into thin air. Thankfully, Finnian had stepped in and kept her around, offering her a high-level corporate position that allowed her to firmly re-establish her footing within the family.

Regarding the fall at the retreat, Noelle truly didn't believe she was at fault. She just had bad luck and took a tumble. Finnian merely showed public concern for her. Why was the matriarch dragging her out to be publicly flogged?

Was receiving a little sympathy from Finnian really a scandalous crime that demanded a public apology?