Chapter 401 +25 BONUS

“What’s so urgent that it can’t wait till morning?” Shelia eyed Edgar skeptically. She didn’t believe his story for a second. Men were all the same—if they weren’t up to no good at home, they were sure as hell up to no good elsewhere.

Her gaze sharpened as she spotted a smudge of lipstick on his white collar. She reached out, grabbed his collar, and thrust it toward him accusingly. “What’s this?”

Edgar’s mind flashed back to Debra’s calculated lean-in, her smirk as she left him in the car. He’d been played. She’d wanted Shelia to see this, to sow discord.

His hesitation was all Shelia needed. “You’re unbelievable. You say you love me, but you won’t even touch me. It’s all a lie, isn’t it? I knew you were cheating.”

“Jade, just listen…”

“No! I won’t listen!” she screamed. “I’m telling my dad. You don’t love me. It’s all just a sham.”

Usually, her tantrums got her what she wanted, but not this time. As she turned to storm out, Edgar’s hand shot out, sending her sprawling to the floor.

She looked up at him, shock etched on her face. “You pushed me?”

Edgar, always so careful with her, as if she were a precious gem, now loomed over her. His eyes were cold and distant. He crouched down, gripping her chin firmly.

“Miss Blair?” he sneered. “You barely deserve the title.”

Shelia was shocked. “You…”

“Do you think I wouldn’t figure it out?” he scoffed. “You’re not Jade, but the daughter of a gambler, a murderer, and a liar. Turning you into Jade is already the biggest favor I could do. You should be kneeling and thanking me.”

Shelia was stunned. “You know?”

“Do you think your petty tricks could fool me?” Edgar snorted, releasing her chin with a disgusted shove.

She crumpled to the floor, fear gripping her heart. She thought she had covered everything well, but it turned out Edgar had known all along.

“I thought you could play the part,” he added, his voice dripping with disdain. “But you’ve been nothing but trouble. And now, you’ve hurt Michael. You’ve gone too far.”

“I—I just wanted to teach Debra a lesson,” she stammered, clinging to his leg desperately. “Please, don’t tell Declan Blair. If he finds out I’m not Jade, he’ll send me back to prison.”

Edgar looked down at her, his expression icy. “You should be scared. Because if you keep pushing your luck, you might just end up like the real Jade.”

Shelia’s blood ran cold. She remembered the prisoner who’d asked her to contact Declan. Suddenly, the pieces clicked into place.

“You mean, you killed her?” she whispered, horror-struck.