Chapter 183

The moment Lainey heard Emma's word, her face turned livid.

Who did Emma think she was, throwing around threats like that?

"Where's security? Get her out of here right now!"Lainey snapped, her voice echoing across the lobby.

A few guards rushed over, alarm flickering in their eyes when they realized someone had gotten past them.

"Yes, ma'am!"

Without hesitation, they clamped a hand over Emma's mouth and hauled her away through a side exit.

Emma's eyes flashed with anger as she tried to shout, her voice swallowed by the guards' grip.

No one so much as glanced in her direction.

Moments later, she found herself dumped on the pavement outside.

She sat for a second, her hair tangled and dress rumpled, but her gaze was fierce and unyielding.

"Lainey, you're not getting away with this," she vowed silently, squeezing her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Inside, Lainey tossed her hair over her shoulder, a scornful look fixed on her face, and started to walk away.

Before she made it far,she collided with Hilda, who had just stepped through the door.

"Lainey, who was that? I could hear you yelling from outside," Hilda said.

A jolt of panic shot through Lainey.

Why did she have to show up now, of all times? Had she overheard everything?

Quickly, Lainey pasted on her sweetest smile and intended to link her arm with Hilda's. "Mom, you're home! Oh, that was just the property manager coming by to update our records."

Without missing a moment, she changed the topic."Is Dad with you? I didn't see him come in."

Hilda let out a grunt and didn't bother replying.

She brushed past Lainey and headed straight into the house.

Lainey's arm dropped to her side, and her cheeks turned pink with embarrassment.

After a second, she sulked and followed after her.

The villa soon filled with the sounds of bustling activity.

Servants darted back and forth in the kitchen, pots and pans clanging in a chorus.

Were they preparing for a party? No one had told her there would be guests.

She caught one of the staff as they hurried by.

The servant paused and answered respectfully, "Mrs.Benton gave orders for a special meal. She said Miss Warren was in a car accident but has finally pulled through. She wants to make sure she recovers well."

The instant the servant finished her explanation,Lainey's complexion turned pale.

How on earth did Eleanor make it out alive?

She should have been dead.

Anger kept building inside her, and her eyes turned cold and sharp.

The servant's shoulders tensed as he caught her glare, and he shrank back, afraid to say another word.

Hilda appeared on the staircase in a soft sweater and slacks, catching sight of the tense atmosphere in the foyer. She arched an eyebrow, suspicion clear as she asked, "Why do you look so upset? Shouldn't you be relieved that Eleanor pulled through?"

That question jolted Lainey, and she forced hersef to school her features."Mom, you've got it wrong. I just didn't know what to say for a second. Obviously, it's great news that Eleanor survived that accident."

Worried that Hilda would see through her act, she rushed to add, "We haven't always gotten along, but that doesn't mean I want anything bad to happen to her."

Saying those words nearly choked her.

Without another word, she mumbled a flimsy excuse and darted upstairs.

Hilda watched her retreat, the lines on her brow deepening.

When Lainey disappeared from sight, Hilda turned to the servant for the full story of what had just transpired. After she heard every detail, an icy unease crept over her.

Lainey's expression, when she heard about Eleanor's survival, was chilling.

Was it possible that Lainey had a hand in the accident?

As she thought back to the heated exchange she had overheard at the front door, the suspicion only grew.

Still, she kept her composure. Nolan had always approached problems with a level head.

He had already assigned someone to dig into the truth. The facts would surface soon enough.

Until then, she needed to keep Eleanor close and ensure nothing else could happen.

While Hilda made plans of her own, Lainey stormed into her bedroom and slammed the door.

Her hands wouldn't stop shaking.

A mix of dread and frustration churned in her stomach.

With someone like Emma out there, her secrets were at risk, especially if Nolan applied pressure.

Letting Emma roam free was too dangerous now.

She would have to silence her before things spiraled out of control.

For that, she would need Horace's help more than ever.