The Widow's Fate They Chose Was My Escape Plan novel · Chapter 15 of 24

Chapter 15: Take Your Rule Back

"A finder's fee," Bennett said. "It's a finder's fee. Everyone takes them."

"You were paid to bring me here," Bridget said.

Her voice was not soft, and I had never heard it like that.

"Bridget, sweetheart."

"You told me it was your idea. The draw, the cards. You said you wanted me and nobody else."

"I do want you."

"You wanted five hundred thousand dollars."

She stood up, shaking, and nobody moved to take her hand.

It was the first time in her life, I think, that crying would not have worked.

The oldest trustee rapped the table with his knuckles.

"We will vote," he said. "On the motion to name Mr. Desmond Keane guardian."

Three hands stayed down.

Two hands went up, Desmond's own trusted men on the end of the row.

"The motion fails," said the lawyer. "Rory's shares stay with Rory. And the board will meet again this afternoon, in the city, without the household in the room."

"A sensible precaution," Desmond said pleasantly.

He thanked each trustee by name as they left.

The gates closed behind their cars, and the guards stayed where they were.

I took Rory's arm and walked him down the hall to my room.

I locked the door and leaned on it.

"You were supposed to stay in the bed," I said. "You sat up in front of Desmond, with his guards in the doorway. He could have had you taken out."

"He didn't."

"He could have."

"You stood in front of that doctor last night with a robe on and nothing else." Rory crossed the room. "You put your body in the door. Then you held a cup under my uncle's nose with his guards behind you."

"It worked."

"I know it worked. I watched you do it." His jaw tightened. "Where was no tenderness, Willa?"

I stared at him.

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