Free Web NovelChapter 144: Failed plans (3)
Dorothy liked that Scarlet knew her worth. It was something to see when someone with Scarlet’s wealth would ignore it and chase after someone not deserving of their time. It truly was a shame that Scarlet was no longer her daughter-in-law. Now she was stuck with someone who only knew how to spend money.
"It is sweet of you to still worry about me. It’s good to know with the marriage over, we’re not exactly strangers. I’ve been hearing from Jack and others that you have a new man in your life. I won’t come around much since it might be awkward," said Dorothy.
"I don’t think he would care about it. It is not like you are present to convince me to go back to Jack. I’ve always appreciated your advice and liked spending time with you. You made for a good mother-in-law," Scarlet said, appreciative that she had it easy entering the Humphrey family.
"That is good to know. Mine was a pain in the ass. Excuse my language," Dorothy covered her mouth. "Only warmed up to me when I offered my knowledge to the business and tried to place all the credit on her son at first."
"It’s a hard world for you and me. Someone is always trying to act like we don’t know what we speak of or take credit for what we’ve done. The amount of times I’ve been called a little girl at my grown age. Not that I mind because I liked thinking I looked young," Dorothy chuckled.
"I’m never going to be against you because there are few women like us. If only my stupid son had sense. With how much he’s been paying attention to you and wasting money on that woman, I am thinking of handing his position over to someone else," Dorothy revealed.
While Dorothy loved her son, she couldn’t sit by and watch as he threw money out the door. At some point, it was going to run out and when it did, he might start using money meant for the business.
This came as a surprise to Scarlet since she didn’t think there would ever be a day Dorothy did this. It showed how much Dorothy cared about the business.
"Do you think it would be a little embarrassing to send him off somewhere to have him schooled again? To have him stop acting a fool?" Dorothy asked, wanting Scarlet’s honest opinion.
"Unfortunately, you don’t want to hear where I think you should send Jack, but we both know he’s not going to willingly agree to go off anywhere to study again. If he does not focus on business after you let him know about Beth, then have him take a break to clear his head," Scarlet suggested. freewēbnoveℓ.com
Scarlet wouldn’t allow anyone caught up in feelings and messing up their work to continue the job. That was why Nolan was fired.
’I forgot to address his father,’ Scarlet thought about Nolan. Going to Nolan would be like talking to a wall. His father would get Nolan to stop since she had always known he was afraid of his father.
"You look like there is a lot on your mind. I’m sure after that messy divorce and the town speaking of every moment of it wasn’t good for you. I’ve tried to clear up a few things but you know this town prefers to gossip. I was planning to move, but with Jack’s state, I have to be here a little longer," Dorothy sighed.
Her new home was almost ready but that was ruined now.
"I was fine during their gossip. I’m used to having such attention on me. It’s hard to escape it when you’re a Collins," Scarlet replied.
"Still, it could get to you. After all the years that I’ve been with the Humphreys, there are a few things that upset me. Just remember not to let your feelings show before them because this town will eat you alive. Now, I must think of what to do with the little liar. She cannot marry into my family," Dorothy decided.
She was already not fond of Beth and only welcomed her because of the child. To add that she was lying about having a baby, spending a lot of money on a child that did not exist, and going as far as to hire a doctor to keep up with her lie. It was too dangerous to have someone like that around.
Dorothy poured herself some of the tea prepared for her. "I should just send her off somewhere. Do you still not drink tea?" She questioned as she noticed there was only one cup placed.
Scarlet looked at the tea prepared by the cook. "I do drink it from time to time. When it comes to Beth, I think you should just call off the wedding and let her leave where she is staying now. The town will do the rest. It’s best not to get too caught up in doing something to her."
"You’re too nice, Scarlet. If I were you, I would do what I could to force her into hiding. I’m a little surprised that you didn’t kill her. You’re good with guns to be able to do it with one clean shot," Dorothy joked.
"Well, I try not to travel with my guns since the town guards make an issue of it-"
"You’ve thought of shooting her!" Dorothy exclaimed, accidentally spilling her tea.
"I’ve thought of killing everything that annoys me. Even your son, but I don’t give in to the thought. I don’t want to be a crazy murderer. My father and grandfather on the other hand, we’ve been putting away their guns," Scarlet said, now remembering she had to move their hiding spot.
Dorothy laughed as it was like the Collins to go that far to protect their own. "Your mother must have her hands full keeping your father away from everyone who spoke ill of you. It’s been some time since I saw her. How am I to face your parents after what my son did?"
"My mother isn’t upset with you. If you want, you can give her a call or I can arrange something. She has always liked that you cared for me. You have nothing to worry about," Scarlet promised. freewebnøvel.com
"I hope," Dorothy replied, happy to have a chance to be close to an old friend again.
Outside of the room, Alana tried to get a good look at how Scarlet’s talk with Dorothy was going.
"They are quite close," she whispered, trying her hardest to hear the conversation.
"It’s bold of you to eavesdrop on the lady even though you are the princess."
Alana gasped, turning around to see who caught her. She found Dawson smiling like he had something he could share with Scarlet. "I only wanted to see what their relationship is like. I thought families aren’t close once there is a split. Don’t tell."
"I am a man who needs to be paid to keep silent. Scarlet pays me a hefty sum of money to tell her about little stalkers-"
"I am not a stalker!" Alana argued.
"Because peeking around corners is quite normal. If this kind of behaviour is normal in the palace, then I am happy to inform you that you were surrounded by stalkers and you grew to be one," said Dawson.
Alana didn’t like being seen as a stalker. She was only looking... from afar. "Don’t you have somewhere to be?"
"I’m paid to watch over Scarlet and protect her from people hiding around corners," Dawson replied and then began to walk toward Scarlet.
"You!" Alana grabbed his hand but quickly let go of it. "I’m sorry."
"You grabbed me. It’s not like you kicked me. Are you not to touch a man?" Dawson questioned, not knowing how it was for royalty. She looked as though she had committed some kind of terrible crime.
"I’m not married."
"Neither am I. This should be the part where we celebrate. And princess, how many times must I send back the money or gifts you keep offering for lifting your trunk the day you left the palace? I was doing my job and did not need any money from you," Dawson said, searching his pockets for the cigar.
"Still, I must offer something for your help. It’s what I was taught to do so please accept it. It must be more than I bought it for now since it is a gift from a princess, but you mustn’t sell it. You must cherish a gift from royalty as it is a sign you did a good deed," Alana said, hoping he would keep it.
"Don’t you normally do something with swords, not give cigars? I don’t even smoke," Dawson said.
"You don’t? They said that it was popular among men. I’m even failing at doing this. I’ll take it back," Alana said, reaching for the cigar.
Dawson moved his hand. "Why should I give back this valuable cigar? I don’t need to use it. I can show off that I received it from a princess so enough with thinking that you failed."
