Chapter 122
The room had gone painfully quiet.
Not because anyone wanted silence. No, but because everyone was too stunned to speak.
Anna sat up straight now, a smugness curling at the corner of her lips. She could already sense her victory the moment Alfred turned and walked back to his chair. That, to her, was a sign that she had won.
For the first time tonight, she looked proud.
Now Alfred was involved. At least they believe her now. And now, finally, John would pay.
She didn’t doubt Isla’s words for a second. Even the entire family knew that the young woman wasn’t a liar. Whatever came out of Isla Wyndham’s mouth was taken as truth. Even those who didn’t like her had to admit that much.
John, however, sat still in his chair, silent and unreadable. He didn’t care how they looked at him. His only concern at that
moment was Isla.
Anna had mentioned her name, again. And that meant something else was going on.
When exactly had Anna met with Isla? And what did she say to her?
Alfred’s voice finally broke the silence. Content originally comes from findnovel.net
“Well,” he said slowly, “you’ve heard from your wife, John. What do you have to say for yourself?”
John smiled faintly—a quiet, ironic smile that unsettled everyone. Even Alfred’s brows lifted a little.
Landon blinked, confused. Wyatt frowned. He was clearly not interested in this conversation. Anna, on the other hand, felt
insulted.
“What’s so funny?” she demanded, her tone laced with irritation.
John leaned back slightly, folding his arms across his chest. “So,” he began, his tone casual but edged with sarcasm, “you finally met with Isla, and let me guess… Gabriel too?”
Anna’s mouth twitched. Her composure faltered for the first time that night. “That’s not the point, and you know it,” she snapped.
“Know what, Anna?” John’s voice suddenly rose. “Didn’t I warn you? Didn’t I tell you to stop meddling in my son’s life?”
Anna flinched at the sharpness of his tone. Her mouth trembled before she spoke again. “B-but that’s not-”
“That’s not what, Anna?” he cut her off harshly. “Tell me. When and where did you meet Isla and Gabriel? What conversation led to Isla telling you I was cheating? Because, as far as I know, you and Isla aren’t exactly close, are you?”
The words hit her like slaps. She opened her mouth, but she couldn’t say a word.
Landon leaned slightly forward, eyes darting between his parents. The tension was suffocating now.
Alfred sat still, gripping the top of his cane. He was angry, yes, but also intrigued.
John seeing another woman? That didn’t sound right. But the bigger question was why Isla would ever say such a thing. It didn’t make sense.
He knew Isla as a very simple and well disciplined young woman. She has integrity, and as such will not lie about things like this. She would never make such a claim without reason.
So what was this?
A misunderstanding? Or could it be a trap? Or was it another one of Anna’s impulsive blunders?
The old man rubbed his temples, deep in thought. None of it was adding up.
Finally, his voice sliced through the noise. “When and where did you have that conversation with Isla?” Alfred’s deep, commanding tone echoed through the study.
All heads turned to him.
Anna froze. Her throat tightened.
She couldn’t tell the truth. At least exactly the way it happened. And not in front of everyone. She had made sure her trip the previous night was secret. She had slipped past Alfred’s security. She was certain that no one would find out.
But now, trapped under her father-in-law’s unrelenting gaze, she had no way out.
“Well…” she began slowly, searching for words. “It was at Gabriel’s new house. He-he bought a new home for himself and his wife. I thought I should check on them. That was when… when Isla told me.”
The last words barely left her lips before another voice cut through the tension.
“Gabriel bought a house?” Wyatt’s voice boomed across the room. He stepped forward, his expression a mix of surprise and irritation.
“I mean, that’s… that’s great news,” he said, forcing a smile. “Something to celebrate, right? How come he didn’t tell anyone?”
But his words didn’t fool anyone. The irritation in his tone was obvious, his envy barely hidden.
Landon gave a low whistle. “Looks like a lot is happening that none of us knew about.”
Alfred’s patience finally ran out. He pushed himself to his feet, his cane striking the marble floor with a sharp tap.
“I see that plenty of things are happening in this family that I’m not aware of,” he said coldly. “And that is unacceptable.”
He turned toward the door. “This meeting is dismissed. John,” his voice softened slightly, “call Gabriel and Isla. Tell them there will be a family breakfast meeting in the morning. It’s important.”
John nodded silently.
“Anna,” Alfred said, his voice carrying a tired finality, “we will continue this conversation in the morning. I want to hear from ‘Isla directly. And John-” he paused, glancing at his son, “-you’re not getting out of this, I promise you.”
With that, the old man left the room first, followed by Wyatt and Sia, then Landon, who shook his head the entire way out.
The study door closed, leaving behind only John and Anna.
But John didn’t say a word. He stood up, buttoned his shirt cuffs, and walked out too the dim light of the desk lamp.
Anna exhaled shakily. The reality of what she had just done began to settle in.
–
leaving his wife sitting there alone under
The problem wasn’t just about her false accusation anymore, it was about the lie she had told to protect herself.
She had given away something she was never supposed to know-the secret of Gabriel’s new house.
And now, come morning, Alfred would demand answers.
Anna Wyndham was in deep trouble.
22
And she knew it herself. There was no coming out of this one because as far as she knew, this new Isla will call her out without thinking twice.
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.