What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 77

"Grandmother, what brings you all the way out here?" he asked, softening his tone as he walked in.

"I felt sick, so I came out to get some air," Josephine snapped, glaring at him.

Finnian paused, immediately stepping forward in concern. "What's wrong? Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"

"I'm sick right here!" She pounded a fist against her chest. "Finnian, the gossip at your company is so loud it's practically rattling my coffin! Are you just going to let it happen?"

Finnian's sharp brow furrowed deeply. "Grandmother, whatever you heard, it's just baseless nonsense. You shouldn't let it bother you."

"People don't talk for no reason. Remember this: Kaia is your wife. Noelle is your sister-in-law. The Sanders family will absolutely not tolerate a scandal where a man elevates his mistress and humiliates his wife. It's morally bankrupt," Josephine warned, her tone heavy and severe.

Finnian's face hardened.

Facing his grandmother's harsh reprimand, a look of profound irritation and humiliation flashed across his eyes.

"Grandmother, what are you talking about?" Finnian sounded as if the mere implication was an insult.

Josephine's expression didn't soften. She had already grown somewhat wary of her brilliantly capable youngest grandson.

But a family scandal was something she couldn't ignore.

"If I'm wrong, then consider it a warning," she said sternly.

Finnian's voice went dead cold. "Grandmother, things are not the way you think they are. Noelle is both an employee and family. Looking out for her is not a crime. Did Kaia say something to you?"

Josephine stiffened, shocked that Finnian would immediately drag Kaia into this.

She shot back, "You know exactly what kind of person Kaia is. She has never once come to me to start drama."

"If Kaia hasn't said anything, then why are you jumping to conclusions?" Finnian pinched the bridge of his nose. "Grandmother, I have pressing matters at the office. I need to leave."

As Finnian turned to walk out, Josephine threw one last dagger at his back. "Do not let your blatant favoritism break Kaia's heart completely. If you push her away, have you thought about what's going to happen to Brynlee?"

Finnian froze in the doorway.

Josephine had hit the bullseye. She let out a soft, mocking huff. "Being a terrible husband is one thing. But you better think very, very carefully about your role as a father."

Finnian stood there in silence for two seconds before striding out the door.

After New Year's Day, they were less than two weeks away from Chinese New Year. Backed by the Sanders Conglomerate, Veridian Future was rushing to host its grand launch event before the holidays.

She wore a simple watch on her left wrist. The wedding ring on her ring finger was notably absent.

When Finnian arrived, leading the top brass of The Sanders Conglomerate, Noelle was right by his side.

Every eye in the room turned toward the corporate giants.

Finnian wore a bespoke black suit that screamed quiet luxury. His aura was overwhelmingly powerful, radiating the absolute dominance of an apex predator.

Beside him, smiling impeccably, was Noelle. She wore an off-the-shoulder waist-cinching gown in a soft lotus-pink, paired with a stunning diamond necklace. Her ankle had healed significantly, and to match her dress, she was back in sensible heels.

Whether intentional or not, as the group moved through the room, Noelle remained exactly half a step behind Finnian at all times.

When the executives walked in, Kaia was deep in conversation with a national engineering academician. The commotion at the entrance made them both look over.

Kaia's eyes swept over the man and woman walking side by side with absolute indifference. She didn't linger for even a second before turning back and seamlessly picking up her conversation with the academician.

When Finnian walked in, his eyes almost immediately locked onto Kaia. Tonight, she radiated a totally different kind of relaxed, untouchable confidence.

Noelle noticed the exact second Finnian's attention drifted. She followed his gaze right to Kaia.