Chapter 10
As autumn crept in, the days grew shorter and the nights longer.
When the car rolled into the driveway of the Ferguson Mansion, dusk had already wrapped its arms around the estate.
Colored lamps hung around the house, setting a festive mood that seemed out of a storybook.
I parked the car and stepped out with my bag, leaving the world behind me.
I had warned him over the phone, yet Timothy, stubborn as ever, was waiting in the yard.
for us.
Over the phone, I could hide my feelings, but in person, Timothy saw right through me. “Did that-rascal give you trouble again?” Timothy’s mustache twitched with concern, ready to jump to my defense.
“It’s nothing.” I didn’t want to get him worried, so I pulled him inside. “It’s chilly out here. Didn’t the breeze give you a headache?”
Though I tried to cover for Bryant, Timothy’s face darkened the moment he saw Bryant and Margaret step out of the car one after the other.
But with all family members there, Timothy held back his temper.
On the other hand, my father-in-law, Albert Ferguson, lit up seeing Margaret. “Bryant, I heard Margaret’s working at the company now. You better look after her. That’s only right by Teresa.”
I could pretend not to hear that, focusing on my dinner.
Bryant glanced at me and said softly, “Yeah, I know.”
“Jane, you too should help Bryant to ensure Margaret feels welcome.”
It seemed like Albert brought it up again out of concern that someone at the company might not be fair to Margaret.
I sipped my apple cider, calmly responding, “Don’t worry. Margaret is my boss now. If anything, I need her to look out for me.”
That remark shifted the mood at the dinner table.
“Jane, I’ve told you. If you’re not happy, I can step down from my position anytime,” Margaret said, the picture of grace and understanding.
Next to her, I might have seemned a bit too aggressive.
Timothy slammed his cup down, upset, his words sharp. “Step down? That position was
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Chapter 10
Jane’s, to begin with! Do you think you’re entitled to it only because Bryant decided to play the hero? Unbelievable!”
“Grandpa…”
“Stop, don’t ‘grandpa’ me. I can’t bear it.” Timothy stopped her.
I had heard others say that Timothy never truly accepted Margaret. He had fiercely opposed Teresa’s entry into the family to begin with.
And because of that, the Ferguson family’s fortune had been out of Albert’s reach, with only a modest allowance to his name.
“Please, Dad, she’s all alone in this… Why must you…” Albert started.
“Enough!” Timothy snapped.
I knew Timothy wasn’t fond of Margaret, but it was the first time I’d seen him call her out in public:
Pale as a ghost, Margaret got up, flustered, “I shouldn’t have come today. I’m sorry for ruining the mood.”
As she ran out, Albert shot Bryant a look. “Aren’t you going to go after her? She’s just been through a divorce. If anything happens, can you live with yourself?”
I began to understand why Bryant allowed Margaret so much leeway.
Being constantly reminded that you owe someone, the guilt could become a cage.
As Timothy tried to stop him, Bryant had already left to chase after Margaret.
Watching his retreating, I sighed silently.
After a while, with neither of them returning, I stood up, “Timothy, I’ll go check on Bryant “All right.” Timothy nodded, instructing the butler, “It’s cold out. Get Mrs. Ferguson a co Stepping outside, I saw the Maybach still parked there, so I headed toward the gate. Just as I stepped out, I heard a heated argument.
“What are you trying to do? Don’t tell me you brought that up in the car just because you’ a straight-shooter!” Bryant’s tone was harsh, the side of him I’d only seen at work.
Margaret dropped her usual calm demeanor, tears streaming down her face as she looked at Bryant. “It’s because I’m jealous, okay? I couldn’t help it. I’m dying of jealousy.”
“Margaret, Jane is my wife. What right do you have to be jealous?” Bryant’s laugh was cold, his voice sharper than ice.
“I’m sorry…” Margaret sobbed, her shoulders trembling. “I divorced for you, Bry. You know that.”
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