Chapter 266
Audrey coldly said, “I thought you were calling to explain why you and Talia teamed up to screw me t
She pondered, “I haven’t even pone after her yet, and she’s already trying i
to flip the terigan me
Ms. Smollett just got to Ashbourne today and already took me out for a business dinner, and somehow the news made its way straight to Lucia? Odds are, it’s the Price family or the Turner family. They probably went straight to Mr. Engan Winifred.”
Lucia was momentarily at a loss, her panic quickly boiling over into anger. She snapped, “So you’re finally telling the truth. Just because Talia oled mej you turn around and get some outsider to go after me?
“If you’re so tough, why don’t you take it up with Talis? What does taking it out on me solve?”
Just then, the door to the private room opened. A couple of ladies had planned a bathroom break and woyed to Audrey from a distance as they headed off in the opposite direction.
They chatted while walking away. “I don’t see what’s so great about her. Ms. Smollett really seems to for her?
Another woman added, “It’s probably because of Mr. Winifred. He has stayed scandal–free all these years, then suddenly announces he’s married? of course, Ms. Smollett is going to dote on her.””
“My son is not married either. Ugh, kids these days are a headache. But once he does settle down, his wife better knows her place. I’m not about to let her have it all her way.”
“You say that now but wait till you meet your son’s wife. You might end up spoiling her more than Ms. Smollett does.”
Audrey caught fragments of their conversation and raised a brow slightly.
She mused, “Everyone says marrying into a powerful family is hard. Moms go through all kinds of rules from the women before them, and once they’re finally in charge, they turn around and do the same thing to their son’s new wife.
“It’s not often you meet someone like Ms. Smollett, who really treats people from the heart.
Meanwhile, Lucia, being a mom herself, was still ranting on the phone, complaining nonstop that Audrey wasn’t on her side. “Excuse me, I’m talking to you! What’s with that attitude?
When Lucia didn’t hear a response for a while, her voice grew louder as she said, “We’re mother and daughter, it’s not like we can stay mad forever.
“And I did help you out in the end, didn’t I? I testified against Talia. That should make us even. I don’t owe you anything”
“If that’s what you believe, then fine.” Audrey’s tone was icy.
Lucia’s temper flared right back up and she spat, “What do I owe you, huh? I carried you for nine months, gave birth to you, and now I’m the villain?
“If I’d known it
would
I turnout like this, I would’ve aborted you and left your useless father a long time ago. Maybe then–Hello? Hello?”
Lucia glanced at her phone, fuming as she stomped her foot. “That brat hung up before even finished!”
Jenna came over with a tray, setting the coffee on the table in front of Lucia before stepping behind the couch to gently massage her shoulders. “Please don’t let it get to you, Mrs. Windied. Getting worked up only hurts your health”
Lucia let out a heavy sigh. “How am I supposed to stay calm with a daughter like that?” After a long pause, she asked, “Jenna, what do you think I should do?”
Wendy had just called to chat. Upon learning Logan wasn’t home, the conversation drifted, and she casually mentioned that Audrey had been spending time with Amelia.
Chapter 2661
Most people assumed Logan had long moved on from his as wife, but Lucia knew better. Amalia was still the only on th
Years ago, when different factions were vying for control, Logan was always attending dinners and drinking. And every time out Amelia’s name.
Lucia had been consumed with jealousy, but on the surface, she had to pretend to be understanding. She was nothing more than a clinging off Logan’s favor. As long as she kept him happy, she got to live in kry.
She had always had a sense of insecurity, but now, heating that Audrey was getting close to Amelia, she felt like her insides were being tested into kriots.
Jenna said, “Mrs. Winifred would never take someone else’s side against you, Mrs. Lucia Winifred. And besides…” She leaned down and whispered by Lucia’s ear, “Ms. Smollett isn’t just the Smollett family’s successor. She’s also the founder of the Laferris.”
She thought, ‘Someone like Ms. Smollett would never actually go for someone like Audrey. If anything. Audray is probably just trying to win her over. Once she hits a wall with Amelia, she’ll realize who truly cares about her
Lucia understood what Jenna was getting at, and it did make sense, Still, a trace of worry lingered, “Do you really think she’ll press charges against
It wasn’t Talia she was worried about. What scared Lucia was that if Talia got desperate, she might drag her past into it.
Jenna asked calmly, “What would Mrs. Winifred even gain from suing her?”
Lucia thought about it for a second before shaking her head.
StellarCore had already been barred from future Al projects, and FlexiTech Group had secured its place. Putting Talia behind bars wouldn’t benefit Audrey in the slightest.
And if Audrey really did go after the Price family, it would only make people think the Winifred family was cold–hearted toward old friends, leaving other partners on edge.
“So, what she really wants is leverage?” Lucia’s eyes lit up as she clutched Jenna’s hand. “Thank goodness you helped me sort this out. When I panic everything just turns to mush in my head.”
Jenna smiled and gently reassured her, “You’ve always treated me well. Of course, I’ll help you however I can, Mrs. Winifred.”
She paused for a moment before adding, “Oh, and the truffle soup you used to eat is back in stock. Should we order more?”
“Of course,” Lucia replied as she stood up.
go talk to Eden.”
Lucia knew Jenna was getting a cut from the purchase, but she didn’t make a fuss. After all, if the staff didn’t get some benefits, there was no real reason for them to be loyal…
Lucia found Eden and got straight to the point. “I’ve gotten used to the truffle
Soup Jenna used to buy. Give her some money so she can stock up.”
“Sure,” he agreed easily. “I’ll file the expense with Mrs. Winifred tonight when I go to Hillcrest Gardens.”
“Huh? What did you just say?” Lucia frowned, wondering if she had misheard. “Who are you reporting to?”
“Mr. Winifred said all expenses for Winifred Manor And Hillcrest Gardens are now under Mrs. Winifred’s management,” Eden replied calmly.
The words made Lucia’s ears hum, leaving her a bit dazed.
Having her authority to run the household taken away and letting the butler handle communications with the company’s finance office was hard to swallow, but Lucia managed to accept it.
After all, before she even joined the Winifred family, it had always been the butler in charge.
08:58 Sat, 14 Jun
Chapter 266
Lucia pondered amitably, ‘Audrey has only been here a few days. How does the get to take my place as Mrs. Winthed and act like she’s the lady of the
house!
‘The elders are still around. How in the the one in charge already? That’s just absind.
“She goes on and on accusing me of being shallow and materialistic, acting like she’s some paragon of virtue But filling that aroun? Want way to squeeze money out of the Price family?
‘No wonder Yann suddenly decided to take away my authority over a minor issue. Audrey has clearly been whisperin
his war behind the scenes
The more Lucia thought about it, the more furious she became. Eden, making sure she had nothing else to add, turned and
Jenna noticed her sour expression and gently suggested she head back to her room to rest
“Come with me for a bit,” Lucia said instead. She dressed carefully, touched up her appearance, and went out with Jenna into
Keith had drunk too much the night before and ended up crashing at the karaoke lounge until noon. When he finally woke up, he saw several missed calls from his mother,
He asked his driver to bring him a clean change of clothes before calling her back, only to find out that in his absence, they had thrown him an engagement party.
He rushed over in a hurry, and the first thing out of his mouth was, “When did I ever agree to this?”
“It’s just an engagement, not a wedding,” Wendy replied casually. “Once Talia’s mess is dealt with, you two can always call it off with that, she gave him the address and told him to stop by.
When Keith arrived at the private room, he was surprised to see Lucia there too.
“Oh, perfect timing” Wendy waved him over. “Mrs. Lucia Winifred just got here. We were about to discuss Talia.”
