Chapter 21: Don't Go Easy on Sheila

Adam’s remarks didn’t surprise me. As a spirit, I’d overheard him coaching Luke on protecting the Bolton Group. Yet, Luke ultimately failed Jeffrey and willingly handed control to Carter. Outwardly, the Boltons appeared united during their crisis, but secretly, Carter became his rival. His illegitimacy was the only significant difference between them; otherwise, Adam seemed unremarkable. If not for Carter’s disability, Jeffrey might have chosen him as heir long ago. This bitterness festered within him. He wasn't naive; everyone saw through Sheila’s misstep, yet he still intended to exploit her predicament. He viewed them as enemies, oblivious to the true threat beside him.

“Adam, you can’t expel us from Boltons,” Carter said, his eyes narrowing as he turned to Sheila. “This woman is Anna’s foster mother. They’ve been close for years, and with Anna’s ties to Silas, she may be more involved than you think.”

“Adam, don’t forget why your real son died. While scheming against me, you could easily fall into someone else’s trap.”

Silas’s name visibly altered Adam’s expression. Luke, indeed, wasn't his biological son; his biological son had already died. Sheila feigned tears, playing the victim. “Honey, do you really believe him? We’ve been together all these years. How could you not see how I’ve treated you?”

In the past, Adam might have been swayed, but Silas’s death was a deep wound. Someone had made a deal, trading his son, who then died under mysterious circumstances. Now wasn’t the time for Carter. He brushed Sheila’s hand aside. “Sheila, because we’ve been together so long, I expect honesty.”

Sheila retorted, “Honest? About what? Where have I wronged you? Anna’s grown now. Who she likes, who she befriends—how would I know? You can’t blame me for all this.”

Carter defused the tension with a single remark, planting seeds of doubt. Everyone understood the importance of a wife and a biological son.

“Whether it’s complicated or not is uncertain. Silas died by poison, and there are only a few of us at the Bolton residence. We can’t be sure if you and Anna exploited our unpreparedness to force him into something. If you remain silent, I’ll call the authorities, and neither you nor Anna will escape unscathed.”

Sheila laughed derisively. “Go ahead. Silas died in this house; everyone here is a suspect. Let the police arrest us all, including the disabled Jeffrey, and interrogate every one of us!”

“Enough!” Jeffrey’s voice boomed. He entered, supported by a cane and flanked by bodyguards.

I greeted him. “Dad, what brings you here on such a cold day?”

“If I hadn’t come, I wouldn’t have seen this vile woman’s true nature. Adam, look—this is the woman who made you divorce and marry her.”

Jeffrey fumed, and I helped him sit as a bodyguard wisely closed the door. I suspected Carter knew of Jeffrey’s arrival and deliberately created this scene.

“I initially thought you were merely greedy, believing a title would cause complications. But I never imagined you, a despicable person, would drag the entire Bolton family down with you!”

“Adam, please calm down. Don’t stoop to her level,” Adam said. His long-standing affection for her…

Jeffrey laughed sharply. “If we remain idle, the Boltons will end up like the Sanders—some dead, some mad, their foundation crumbling. It’s clear she and Anna are working together.”

“Sheila, I’m not as patient as Adam. I may be old, but I still have the strength to deal with you.” He struck his cane against the floor. “Tell me everything now, or you won’t be leaving this room.”

She couldn’t leave anyway; she was crippled. I never expected Jeffrey to lose control first, but he had once been a powerful man. He was old, not dead. The Sanders’ downfall served as a lesson for the Boltons. Anna had once been protected because of her children, but now, with Silas’s death and her miscarriage, he had nothing left to fear. He’d made arrangements on this floor of the Boltons’ private hospital. I arrived just in time.

Sheila realized something was amiss. She knew how cold-hearted Jeffrey could be; despite years together, she’d never been able to sway him. A few tears wouldn't elicit pity.

“Dad, I know you dislike me, but I’ve worked hard. I believe I’ve fulfilled my role as daughter-in-law. Even if you don’t care, there’s no need to target me like this.”

Jeffrey’s patience had run out. “Lock the door, draw the curtains. I’ll handle this myself.” He glanced at me. “Zoey, step aside. Things might get bloody.”

No way! I’d prepared to watch this drama! Where else could I go? I shook my head. “Dad, I’m also family. You don’t need to worry about me.” I’d even faced death before. What could be bloodier?

Carter pulled me into his arms. “Don’t worry, I’ll hold you.”

My face burned. Why was he being corny at such a serious moment? Jeffrey looked at us, puzzled, making me blush even more. “Uh, Dad, don’t mind us. Go on, and don’t go easy on Sheila just because she’s weak.”

“Wait, Zoey, how can you…?” Sheila glared, fuming. Her injuries made her cautious. Sudden movement would aggravate her wounds.

Jeffrey responded, uninterested, “Sheila, you know me. I never back down. Will you confess, or should I force you?”

His authority and intimidation sent chills down my spine. Sheila looked uneasy. Failing to reach Adam, she clutched the blanket. “I… I really don’t know anything,” she stammered.

“You’re skilled at playing clueless,” he remarked coldly. Jeffrey slapped her; the sharp sound was strangely satisfying. I wondered if this slap stemmed from a private grudge, as Adam’s stubbornness likely originated from this woman, and Jeffrey seized the chance to settle the score.

“Knock out her front teeth for me,” he ordered coolly.

Sheila’s eyes widened. “Dad, you can’t do this!” she exclaimed, trembling.

“If you’re unaware of the rules, I’ll make sure you learn them,” he said coldly.