Chapter 23
Donna rushed to the hospital, her heart twisting when she saw Harper lying there, bruised and bloody. She wanted to scream or cry, but when she heard it was Albert who did it, she just felt powerless. Maybe it was for the best if the wedding was called off. Still, why would Albert go so far as to hit someone?
Downstairs, Carola caught Elise on the phone. She furrowed her brows. “Mom, what’s going on? Did something happen with Dorothea’s engagement p>
The last thing Carola wanted was for that engagement to fall apart.
Elise rubbed her forehead, sounding exhausted. “Carola, don’t get involved p>
Without another word, she headed upstairs to her study.
Layton was just as shocked as everyone else when news came that the Stevens family wanted to end the engagement.
He frowned. “Did Dorothea change her mind and cause trouble at their place p>
Elise had already thought of that. Her face was tight with anger. “I’m calling her here right now p>
Dorothea had no idea that Albert had hit anyone. When she got Elise’s call, she hurried over to the Brown estate, thinking maybe Elise had finally decided to hand over the shares early. But as soon as Dorothea stepped inside, Elise slapped her across the face, the sound echoing through the foyer.
Dorothea stood there, stunned. The sting took a second to hit, then it burned across her cheek. But the humiliation hit harder than the pain. That slap felt like it sliced straight through whatever tiny shred of mother-daughter bond she still had with Elise.
Carola, standing off to the side, put on a show of being shocked, but there was a flicker of satisfaction in her eyes. “Dorothea, what did you do to make Mom this mad again p>
Dorothea let out a cold laugh, lowered her head for a moment, then looked up and slapped Carola right back, hard.
Carola stared at her, eyes wide. “Did you just hit me p>
Dorothea’s voice was icy. “Stay out of my business. If I were you, I’d keep my distance p>
Elise looked at Dorothea like she was seeing her for the first time. “Why did you hit Carola? Dorothea, are you out of your mind p>
Dorothea stood there, oddly calm. “Then tell me. Why did you hit me p>
Elise took a shaky breath, hurried Carola upstairs, and spent a while calming her down before coming. Back down. When she faced Dorothea again, she felt this sinking realization that her daughter was slipping out of her control
She studied Dorothea, her gaze sharp. “Dorothea, what exactly are you trying to do? The Stevens family called off the engagement. Did you know? Did you change your mind and go make a scene at theioplace? Now Layton’s furious This was. supposed to be a marriage alliance, and now both families are at odds p>
Dorothea’s eyes narrowed just a bit. Could this all be because Latham had gotten violent?
She kept her face unreadable. “If there’s no engagement, then so be it p>
Elise glared at her. “You’re giving up the hotel shares, then p>
Dorothea gave a little smile. “What if I told you I’m already married? And my husband’s from the Stephens family. Is that good enough to get the shares back p>
Elise’s frown deepened. “What kind of nonsense is that p>
“The Stephens family? You think just because you met Latham one time, you have some kind of connection p>
Before Elise could finish, her phone rang. She shot Dorothea a look, then picked up, her voice instantly sweet. “Hello, honey p>
Layton’s voice came through, tense. “Elise, the Stephens family just contacted me. They want to go ahead with the marriage alliance p>
Elise’s breath caught. “Who do they want p>
Layton’s tone was serious. “Your daughter. Dorothea p>
Elise stared at Dorothea, who just looked back at her with a calm, almost amused smile.
“Dorothea, you Elise started, her voice trailing off.
Dorothea’s smile barely changed. “So, do you still think I’m making things up p>