Chapter 85 I’m Interested
Sebastian looked at Connor for a moment. “When my men were looking into Maddie and the boys’ past, I noticed that one of the maids who served your mother is living the life right now. She comes from a regular family, but about ten years ago, she suddenly worked with your stepmother and invested a lot of money to open a private clubhouse, and she has been in close contact with your stepmother ever since.”
Shocked, Harriet held Robert’s hand and struggled to stand up. She glared at Sebastian and demanded, “What are you trying to say, Sebastian? What are you implying? Are you calling me a murderer?”
Sebastian glanced at her and smiled. “Miss Branson, I haven’t said a thing yet. Why are you so nervous? Scared?”
Michael was no fool. He was smart, in fact. He knew what Sebastian was trying to say just from that little interaction. He stared at Sebastian, and he said with a trembling voice, “You’re saying that my mother’s death has something to do with Auntie?”
“And there’s another thing.” Instead of answering his question, Sebastian brought up another topic. “I heard that Miss Branson doesn’t have any children of her own because she took care of you and your brothers. Is that right? Your father did say that out loud.”
Michael nodded. “Yes. That is right.” And that was why he and his brothers respected Harriet a lot.
“But the reports I got say otherwise.” Sebastian looked at Robert and Harriet. “My men found out that Harriet is barren, and she knew it before she married your father.”
He smiled at Robert. “Mr. Wendel, the reason Miss Branson never had her own children wasn’t because she wanted to care for her nephews, but because she is barren. I wonder if you know that, Mr. Wendel. Did you know she deceived you? Or did you work with her so your sons would believe that she sacrificed her own happiness to take care of them?”
It was a deadly question, as either answer would land Robert in a world of embarrassment. If it was the former, that meant he was a fool, but if it was the latter, then that meant he was an accomplice.
Michael and his sons looked at Robert.
Robert’s face was twitching, but he had to answer, for everyone was looking at him. “I did not know.” He looked at Harriet and asked, “Why did you lie to me? Didn’t you say that you didn’t want any children because we already have three kids? I thought you said you were worried you wouldn’t have time for Michael and his brothers.”
Harriet was panicking. She never thought she’d be dragged into this whole mess. If she had known about this, she would never have come to Michael’s house and tried to make Crystal’s life difficult.
She didn’t defend herself. Of course she wanted her own children, and she consulted a lot of doctors for that before and after she married Robert. Nobody noticed that, so nobody looked into it. But now that her secret was exposed, they could find the evidence easily if they wanted to. It was useless to try and argue, so she looked down and covered her mouth. “Rob, it’s hard to be a stepmother.” She sobbed. “I said that just so Michael and the boys would believe that I truly was nice to them. I never had any other ideas.”
“Oh, but only you would know if that’s the truth.” Sebastian looked at her and chuckled. “You know, once I found out about your case, I came up with a little story in my head. To be exact, it’s a tragedy.”
“Enough! Stop talking!” Harriet’s voice trembled. “Even if I did lie, I am still their stepmother, and they’re related to me. They’re the closest family I have aside from Rob. I love them, and I raised them. I treat them like my own children, and you can’t tear us apart just because of some little story you made up.”
“Hey, if you guys are that loving, then what’s the harm in listening to my story?” Sebastian smiled. “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t stand up unless Mr. Wendel agreed to your terms? Why are you up now? Keep kneeling.”
“You…You…” Harriet couldn’t even form a coherent sentence. She was enraged, but also terrified. Harriet had her own dirty little secret, and that must never be found out. She had never regretted her actions so much before. Why did I have to poke my nose where it doesn’t belong? And now see what that got me. He might say something really bad in just a moment. She wobbled and held her forehead, leaning toward Robert. “Rob, I feel really dizzy. I—”
“Oh ho ho, do please hold yourself together, Miss Branson. Don’t pass out.” Sebastian looked at her, amused. “Even if you do pass out, I’ll still tell my story. If you’re awake, you can still defend yourself, but if you’re not, you’ll be sent away and miss out on my story.”
Harriet was pretending to be dizzy, but now she truly felt like fainting from all her anger. But Sebastian had a point. She couldn’t faint at this point in time. Harriet leaned against Rob and looked at Michael tearfully. “Michael. I’m your stepmother, and I raised you. Are you just going to watch as this young man insults me?”
Michael had always been nice to his father and stepmother, but this time, he didn’t defend her despite what she said. Instead, he was staring at her, his deep gaze filled with a terrible storm.
The look in his eyes scared her, and she asked in a trembling voice, “Michael, why are you looking at me like that? You’re going to trust a stranger instead of your own stepmother? I crossed him because I tried to help Angie, and now he’s trying to make you doubt me in return. Don’t trust him, Michael!”
Michael stared at her for a silent moment, then he turned to Sebastian. “Sebastian, I’m really interested in your story.”
“Well, we have time to spare, and I’m willing to tell you all about it.” He wrapped his arm around Madeline’s waist. They were standing under the chandelier, looking like a perfect couple. A smile curled Sebastian’s lips, and he took on the role of storyteller. His voice was crisp, clear, and sonorous. It captivated those who listened, and oh, did the Wendels listen. “The story I have in mind is of how Miss Branson fell in love with her own sister’s husband…”
