Chapter 51

Dorothea looked so fragile lying there in the hospital bed, her body barely more than a shadow under the sheets. Her lips were so pale they almost disappeared against her skin.

Earlier, Latham had picked her up and carried her straight to the car. He’d barely said a word, just nodded at the Brown family’s butler when the man opened the door for them. Honestly, the butler seemed so freaked out by the look on Latham’s face that he forgot to even ask how Latham had gotten inside in the first place.

Latham’s silver ring glinted coldly on his finger as he sat by her side. He’d found her bag up in the attic, her phone completely dead and powerless in his palm. He didn’t even know how long she’d been locked away up there.

Who would do that to her? Was it Layton? Or her mother, who acted more like a villain than anything else?

Ladd was still rubbing sleep from his eyes when his phone rang. He picked up, voice rough. “What’s going on? Calling me this early, something up p>

“Dad, just giving you a heads-up. I’m about to call Elise and tell her exactly what I think p>

Ladd blinked, caught off guard. “Latham, have you lost your mind? Why are you going after Elise? Did she do something to you p>

Latham’s laugh was sharp and cold. “She didn’t do anything to me. She messed with Dorothea. Layton’s people locked Dorothea in a tiny attic for a whole day and night. Dad, you telling me I can’t be pissed about that p>

Ladd frowned. “Isn’t Elise her mother p>

“You ever heard that thing about stepmothers and stepfathers? Works both ways. Sometimes a mother can be worse than a stranger p>

“I’m not calling for anything else. Just wanted you to know, so you’re not surprised. That’s all. Bye p>

Ladd stared at his phone after the call ended, shaking his head for a minute. Then it hit him—Latham was actually furious for Dorothea’s sake. He was taking this personally.

He turned to the butler. “Later, if the Brown family calls, ignore them p>

Layton and Elise were having breakfast in the dining room. Alonzo and Carola, true

to form, were still upstairs, probably not getting up anytime soon.

Layton’s phone buzzed with a number he didn’t recognize. He hesitated, then answered. “Hello p>

“This is Latham p>

Latham’s voice was blunt and direct, leaving Layton momentarily speechless.

“Oh, Latham. Didn’t realize it was you. Is something wrong p>

He could feel his nerves start to fray as he glanced at Elise, their eyes meeting in silent worry. After all,

they’d just been scheming to gemet

Dorothea’s shares for themselves. Had Dorothea told on them

Latham’s reaction would say

everything.

Trying to play it cool, Layton asked, “Did Dorothea say something to you p>

“Oh? And what do you think she should have told me?” Latham’s tone was slow, almost mocking.

Layton faltered. “Well, nothing really. She came by for dinner last night and her mom might have scolded her a little. She probably just got upset. It was nothing serious, Latham. Don’t take it personally p>

“Don’t take it personally?” Latham’s voice was all sharp edges. “My wife got locked in your attic for a whole day and night, and you want me to just forget about it? You think that forgiving p>

“Locked in the attic?” Layton’s voice shot up in surprise. “Latham, there must be some mistake p>

Elise shot Layton a look and took the phone from him. “Latham, Dorothea left right after dinner last night. Why would we lock her in the attic p>

Latham let out a cold snort. “If that’s true, then why did I have to carry her out of the attic this morning? Was I carrying a ghost p>