Chapter 40

By the following morning, word had already spread through Elepdon's upper circles that Stewart Group was injecting funds back into the Todd Group.

Jonny practically bounced off the couch, the dark cloud that had been weighing him down evaporating in an instant.

He could hardly believe it. What he had tossed out as an offhand comment to win Sallie's sympathy had,against all odds, turned into a lifeline for the Todd Group.

What a windfall!

So he had been right after all.

Eleanor might act cold, but her heart was still tied to him.

Why else would she have spoken up on behalf of the Todd Group the moment Sallie opened her mouth?No, it wasn't about business-it had to be about him.

She must still be hopelessly in love.

A rush of satisfaction swelled in Jonny's chest, so fierce it nearly made him laugh.

Snatching up his phone, he instructed Allard the moment the call connected. "Arrange a private office for Eleanor. I want her back at the company."

When the line went dead, he muttered smugly, "If she's this devoted, I'll throw her a rope. But the title of my wife? That belongs to Lainey,always."

Not far away, Sallie gave a sharp, derisive chuckle."Delusions. After everything you've done, you really think Eleanor would stiIl look twice at you? That girl's heart is pure, but you trampled on it when you had the chance. You can't rewind the past,Jonny."

Her words carried the weight of disappointment. If Jonny weren't the sole heir, the Todd Group would never have landed in his hands. With a heavy sigh, Sallie pushed herself up,retreating slowly to her room.

What she didn't realize was that Lainey, standing quietly by the entrance, had heard every word.

That decrepit woman...always defending Eleanor!

What did Eleanor have that she didn't?

Just a pitiful little orphan with no background, no family name. Strip away her looks, and there was nothing.

And yet Sallie insisted on holding her up like a jewel,even after the divorce, still clinging to her.

And now Jonny, too, wanted her back in Todd Group?

Clearly, he hadn't let go.

Lainey ground her teeth. Fortunately, Eleanor had grown arrogant lately. With luck, she wouldn't agree.

Otherwise, forcing her out again would be far messier. Jonny, ignorant of Lainey's plotting, left for the office not long after.

With the Stewart Group's capital back in play, the company needed immediate attention.

In his rush, he didn't even notice Lainey standing the garden as he left.

Lainey had planned to stage a coincidental run-in with him in the garden, but being brushed off without so much as a glance made her stomp the grass in frustration.

She was about to storm off when a frantic voice rang out from upstairs. "Mrs. Todd! Are you alright?"

Lainey froze, then smirked.

Another episode, was it?

Serves the old woman right.

But this... this could be useful.

If she played the role of the concerned daughter-in-law, she might just worm her way deeper into Sallie's good graces and into her shares.

Putting on her sweetest mask, she dashed inside."Sallie!"

The bedroom door stood wide open.

Sallie was sprawled on the floor, her skin ashen and lips pale.

As soon as Lainey stepped in, the maid blurted out in a rush, "Miss Gilbert, thank heavens you're here!Mrs. Todd's having another attack. I'll get her back to bed, and you grab the medicine from the drawer,quick!"

Lainey bristled at the command, loathing the idea of being bossed around by a servant. Still, she forced a smile and nodded. "Of course, I'll get it right away."

She strode to the bedside drawer, pulled it open, and her eyes immediately landed on a brown glass bottle with a neatly printed label. This had to be it.

She lifted it, then hesitated. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the maid supporting Sallie back onto the mattress, blocking the old woman's view.

A flicker of cruelty flashed across Lainey's eyes. In that brief moment, she slipped the bottle to the farthest corner, sliding a box on top to hide it completely.

Sallie had always treated her like dirt, poisoning Jonny's mind and keeping him from marrying her.

If she dropped dead tonight, that barrier would be gone.

If she survived, then fate was simply being kind.

Feigning panic, she rattled through the drawer noisily.

The maid, now sweating as Sallie's condition worsened, snapped, "Miss Gilbert, haven't you found it yet? It's always at the front-you couldn't possibly miss it!"

Lainey glanced over her shoulder, widening her eyes as if flustered. "I'm telling you, it's not here. Maybe Sallie tucked it away somewhere when she was organizing her things?"

The maid faltered, torn by doubt.

But Sallie had already slumped unconscious.

The maid's hands shook. Without the medicine,Sallie's life could be at risk.

Abandoning Lainey, she tore into the drawer herself,rummaging until she finally pulled out the bottle buried at the very back.

Her hands shook as she hurried to administer the dose, but the delay had already stolen precious minutes.Sallie remained unresponsive.

The maid's throat tightened. "This... this is terrible."

Regret burned through her chest. If she had searched instead of wasting time relying on Lainey,Sallie wouldn't be at death's door.

Her voice cracked as she called for help. "Butler! Call an ambulance