Chapter 348

I held my breath. A familiar voice reached my ears. “Mrs. Johnston, I don’t want to cause any trouble. I just want to see Jace. If you let me talk to him, I’ll leave and won’t make a scene.”

Tanya. She was actually here! And, from her words, she was looking for Jace. I'd assumed he might have already contacted her after my call, but clearly, I was wrong. This woman had the nerve to ask the Johnsons about Jace’s whereabouts.

“Is that a threat?” Lindey’s retort was immediate.

“It’s not a threat. I just want to see Jace,” Tanya replied, affecting her usual innocent, helpless tone. People say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and Tanya was the perfect example. When I first met her, I thought she was sweet, pure—a bright light. That illusion shattered quickly.

“And I told you, Jace isn’t here,” Lindey shot back, her frustration evident.

“I know he’s not here,” Tanya said calmly. Lindey, however, was anything but calm. She rarely lost her temper, but she had no patience for Tanya’s nonsense. “So, what? Are you accusing me of hiding him from you?”

Tanya remained silent, a silence that spoke volumes. Lindey let out a short, bitter laugh. “You’ve got some nerve. No wonder Keira couldn’t beat you. Now I see why my son would choose a pregnant widow like you over Keira—who’s superior in every way.”

Her words were cutting, dripping with sarcasm directed at Tanya and, indirectly, at me. I couldn't even beat a pregnant widow. That was the label now attached to my failed relationship with Jace.

“Mrs. Johnston, if you want to insult me, or even hit me, I won’t fight back. Just… please, let me see Jace,” Tanya pleaded, softening her approach. By now, having encountered her several times, I recognized her innocent act for what it was—an act. Beneath the surface, she was calculating, always employing a new tactic.

“I can’t live without Jace,” she continued. “A few days ago, my mother-in-law caused a scene at the hospital, and now videos of me are all over the internet. I can’t even work properly anymore. If I don’t see Jace, I really have no other choice but to die.” Tanya’s voice broke.

Chapter 346 (continued)

“Don’t try to scare me with that,” Lindey snapped, unconvinced by Tanya’s emotional manipulation.

“I’m not trying to scare you. I’m telling the truth,” Tanya responded. Silence followed.

Suddenly, Lindey gasped. “What are you doing?! If you don’t stop, I’m calling the police!”

The panic in Lindey’s voice was alarming. I rushed forward. Tanya stood there, gripping a green bottle. Lindey pointed, clearly shaken. “Put it down. Let’s talk this through, but you need to put that down.”

Her fear was palpable—Tanya had her cornered. I glanced at the label: Paraquat. A toxic pesticide.