Chapter 289 Sadie’s Scheme

I calmly sipped my soup, looking across the table. “Go ahead. What is it you want to talk about?”

“I know I’ve spoiled Sadie,” Bill began, his voice subdued, “and I know I’ve neglected you and your mother all these years. I can understand why you resent me.” Bill, now stripped of his usual bravado, avoided my gaze. “Zoey, the mistakes I’ve made have brought nothing but misery to your mother and me.”

“Isn’t that all on you?” I replied coldly.

“Yes,” he admitted, sighing. “That’s why, no matter how much your mother belittles me or hates me, I can endure it. I genuinely want to make amends. I can let go of Monica, but Sadie… she’s my flesh and blood.”

The phrase “flesh and blood” made me laugh. “What if,” I asked, testing the waters, “she isn’t?”

Bill froze for a moment before snapping back, “That’s impossible!” There it was—classic Bill, too thick-headed to even consider the possibility.

“Zoey, I’ve thought it through,” he continued, his tone almost pleading. “In a few days, I’ll send her back to her country with some money—enough to cut ties for good. Consider it a parting gift, maybe even her dowry. Then, I’ll focus on us. No more running between families. You and Philippa won’t have to suffer anymore.”

I arched an eyebrow and asked, “And how much, exactly, are you planning to give her?”

“Your sister has always had expensive tastes. If I give her too little, it won’t last…”

I couldn’t help but sneer and retort, “You think money will sever your ties? As long as you’re unwilling to truly cut ties, you never will. Today, you give her money to send her away; tomorrow, she’ll come asking for more. Will you give it to her or not? And what about when she gets married? Will you walk her down the aisle? If she has children, will you stay away from them? If she faces trouble in her marriage, won’t you step in to protect her? Don’t kid yourself. You’re just trying to sweep everything under the rug.”

“I’m sorry,” I continued, my voice firm. “For twenty years, we’ve been bullied by Monica and Sadie. I can’t empathize, and I certainly can’t forgive them for what they’ve done to Mom and me. I’ve said it before: choose. If you want them, divorce Mom.”

Bill’s temper flared at my resolve. He snapped, “Why are you so stubborn? What good does it do to break up your mother’s marriage to me?”

“It may not be good for me,” I replied evenly, “but at least Mom will finally be free of this miserable marriage. She won’t have to live under your thumb anymore. She can live a life of her choosing.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! When have I ever controlled her? When have I denied her freedom?”

“Dad, every day she spends with you is a day of suffering.”

“That’s absurd!” Bill shouted, storming out of the room.

I watched his retreating figure as he ascended the stairs, then quietly put down my spoon and left.

Back at the estate, Carter was on the phone, discussing an upcoming public offering. When I walked in, he ended the call and turned to me.

“You’re back. How’s Philippa?”

“She’s doing well, health-wise,” I said. “But seeing Bill is exhausting, Carter. I don’t want to wait any longer. What’s the latest on that Cinderella man?”

“That guy? He’s been bold,” Carter said, his voice tinged with amusement. He gestured for me to come over. I obediently sat on his lap, letting him wrap me in his warm embrace.

“What did he do?”

Carter said, “He got his hands on some drugs from the black market. I’m guessing they’re meant for Bill.”

My stomach dropped. I remembered how he’d asked Monica to take out an insurance policy on Bill. I hadn’t thought he’d actually go this far.

“What do the drugs do?” I asked.

“In small doses, not much. But over time, they mess with the brain, causing confusion and memory loss. My guess? He wants to weaken Bill’s mind, get him to sign over some documents, and once Bill’s no longer useful, arrange for him to have an ‘accidental’ death. The kicker? The insurance payout would be massive. Afterward, most of the Gardners’ assets would go to Sadie.”

“That’s vile!” I spat, my anger boiling over.

Carter stroked my hair and soothed me. “Don’t worry. The only way he can administer the drugs is through Monica, and Bill hasn’t been eating there much. He bought them a place to stay, but he barely visits.”

I froze. “Wait, Sadie mentioned cooking for him today. He must’ve eaten something.”

“One or two meals won’t matter,” Carter assured me, “as long as it’s not regular. If you want to expose her, just show him the paternity test results.”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “That’s too easy. He loves that daughter of his so much. I want him to see exactly how she’s planning to destroy him.”

“What’s your plan?”

“He’s avoiding Monica, so the only one close enough to act is Sadie. If he’s coming back for dinner, the lunchtime window is all he has.” I smiled slowly and said, “I want to catch her in the act.”

“Alright, whatever makes you happy.” Carter pampered me as always.

“Did the police get anything out of Linda?” I asked.

Carter’s expression shifted slightly. “She’s dead. She died in custody.”

I was silent for a long time. Another life, gone just like that. Silas had bitten off his own tongue rather than reveal anything about the organization. And Linda… Linda had chosen death outright.

“What about Anna?”

“She’s still trying to save the baby, but things don’t look good. If she suffers another major blow, she probably won’t be able to keep it.”

This must be karma. I hadn’t laid a finger on her child, yet she still couldn’t hold on to it. Her emotions right now must be the same as mine back then—fighting desperately to save that fragile little life.

“Alright, get some rest. Stop overthinking it. I’ll take care of everything else,” Carter said, his tone gentle but firm.

“Okay.”

“I’ve already transferred Zoey’s school records to the country. The school has been notified, so all you have to do is show up for enrollment when the semester starts.”

“Thank you,” I said softly.

Carter chuckled and ruffled my hair. “Silly girl, thanking me? Since when do we need that between us?”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and nuzzled closer to him. “Carter, you’re the best.”

The next day, I visited Bill’s branch office. I’d never shown up before, so no one recognized me. When I introduced myself as his daughter, the receptionist scoffed. “Ms. Gardner is already upstairs with Mr. Gardner. Nice try, but impersonating someone’s daughter? That’s a new low.”

I gave her a small, polite smile. “Ever considered the possibility that I’m the real Ms. Gardner?”

Her eyes flicked over my couture outfit, and she dared not act presumptuous. “I’ll call his secretary. Wait here.”

“Let me call his office to check. One moment, please.”

“Tell him Zoey’s here.”

A few moments later, Bill’s head secretary appeared, all smiles and deference. “Ms. Zoey! Why didn’t you just call me directly?”

“I didn’t have your number,” I said with a smile.

“That’s my fault. Let me give it to you now.”

In the past, no one around Bill had treated me with any regard. But with my status as Mrs. Bolton, everything had changed. People like his secretary were suddenly eager to please.

I followed him upstairs to Bill’s office. Just as I’d suspected, Sadie was there. She’d brought lunch and a tray of desserts, playing the perfect doting…