Chapter 8

A woman and two men stood outside the door. The woman was Lester’s mother, Althea, dressed in a pale blue gown with her hair elegantly swept up. She exuded an air of effortless grace and refinement-her beauty so well-preserved that she could easily be mistaken for Lester’s sister rather than his mother.
But beneath that dignified exterior was a woman known for her ruthlessness.
In her past life, when Joseph had assaulted her, Althea had been the one to find her. She’d naively believed that, as a fellow woman, Althea would have sympathy -would help her. Instead, Althea had turned around and cast her into the slums, leaving her to suffer humiliation and abuse.
It was only later that she learned the truth: Althea had wanted Lester to marry Ms. Green, to cement his position through an advantageous match. Her mere presence had ruined those plans.
The two men standing behind Althea were caretakers—previously responsible for Yves’ care, though Lindsay had fired them just the day before.
“Althea,” Lindsay greeted her, voice steady and unapologetic.
The use of her first name made Althea’s brows knit together. She’d been away visiting her family for the past few weeks and had missed the last family dinner. Now, returning home, she found the entire Quigley household changed.
The orphaned Miss Nelson had become Yves’ wife-her equal in status. The two caretakers Althea had so carefully arranged for Yves had been dismissed by Lindsay without so much as a consultation.
Althea’s expression soured. Her voice cut through the hall, sharp and demanding. “So you still remember who I am, Lindsay? The lady of this house? And yet you dared to fire the caretakers I personally selected!”
Althea had disliked Lindsay from the moment she moved into the Quigley home at age eight. Just an orphan, yet always clinging to her son-anyone with eyes could see she was reaching above her station. Thank goodness Lindsay hadn’t chosen Lester at that fateful dinner, or Althea would have made her regret it.
Lindsay didn’t bother to put on a polite face. Her expression hardened as she snapped back, “Good, you’re here, Althea. I was just about to come find you myself. Care to explain yourself?”
Explain? Althea stared, momentarily thrown. Was Lindsay out of her mind? She’d barely become the Quigley’ daughter-in-law and already she dared to talk to her like this? Thɪs chapter is updated by.net
“Wait here. I need to change,” Lindsay said abruptly, shutting the door before Althea could respond.
A few minutes later, Lindsay reemerged, dressed and ready. Without hesitation, she grabbed Althea by the wrist and started down the stairs.
Althea, pampered her whole life, had no strength to resist; she could only stumble after Lindsay as she was all but dragged along.
Everyone in the Quigley household knew the patriarch’s daily routine at this hour, he would be in the garden, practicing his morning stretches.
Seeing Lindsay storming toward him, Althea reluctantly in tow, Mr. Quigley Sr. looked up, concern flickering across his face. “Lindsay, what’s going on?”
Lindsay let go of Althea’s wrist, practically shoving her in front of the old man. Her anger was barely contained as she spoke.
“Althea’s caretakers neglected Yves so badly that he developed both eczema and bedsores-conditions that could be fatal for someone in his condition. I fired them yesterday. And now, instead of coming to apologize, Althea showed up here with them, demanding answers.
I may be newly married to Yves, but I won’t let anyone mistreat him. Mr. Quigley, I expect an explanation today.”
Yves was the old man’s favorite son-there was no other reason he would have become the head of the Quigley Group over his three older brothers. That was why Lindsay had the confidence to cause a scene, not just in front of Mr. Quigley, but in front of the entire household.
She wanted everyone to know: even if Yves was now bedridden, he still had someone who would fight for him.