Free Web NovelChapter 232: A FAILED ATTEMPT
Finnegan
My grip around my phone tightened. "What do you mean by situation?"
The phone was still pressed to my ear when he delivered the news.
"Boss... Mrs. Wolfe is here. She arrived with a full press crew. There are cameras, reporters, and she has packed bags with her and is demanding to be let into the house."
"She’s telling them she’s coming home to fight for her marriage and her daughter. We’ve kept her outside the front door, but she’s already past the main gates. What do you want us to do?"
Rage tore through my veins like wildfire.
Oh no. Fuck no!
I shot up from my chair so fast I nearly toppled over with Abigail in my arms. "Do not, under any circumstances, let her inside the house. Keep Angel and River away from her. I’m on my way!"
I ended the call, jaw clenched so tight my teeth would have ground to powder if this were a fucking cartoon. I lowered Abigail gently to her feet.
Victoria had crossed every line. I had spent fourteen years keeping Angel out of the public eye, shielding her from the ugly world of fame, scandals, and my terribly toxic family.
And now this woman — the one who had abandoned her for years — wanted to dangle her in front of cameras for the sake of her selfish ambitions. Hell to the fuck no.
"What did the scheming hag do this time?"
Abigail sighed, her eyes wide with concern.
"Another one of her fucking stunts," I bit out, snatching my jacket. "She’s at the house with the press, packed bags and all, trying to force her way in."
Abigail’s face hardened, a scowl creasing her face, "That bitch."
Bitch was an understatement. The only reason I was still holding back was that she was Angel’s mother, but if Victoria kept weaponizing my daughter’s life for her own selfish gains, I would have to stop letting that count for anything.
"Come on, baby." I took her hand, pulling her forward, but Abigail shook her head immediately.
"I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to leave the office with you right now. If the press sees us together, Victoria will have a field day and spin another story about you being the one cheating on her. I’ll stay here, manage some of your meetings, and reschedule the rest."
"I don’t want to leave you here."
I didn’t like it. Walking out while Victoria was causing chaos and leaving Abigail behind felt wrong on every level. But she was right — the last thing we needed was more ammunition for Victoria’s nonsense.
"This is my job, Mr. Wolfe," she murmured, rising onto her tiptoes to press a kiss to my lips. "You can make it up to me later."
"Definitely," I kissed her deeply before pulling back. "I’ll wrap this up as fast as I can and come back for you."
"I’ll be fine." Her hands smoothed over my chest through the shirt, steadying me in a way she probably didn’t even realize. "Go protect Angel."
I nodded, stealing one last kiss before heading out.
James drove me home fast. The entire ride, my blood ran hotter. Victoria knew exactly what she was doing — using the press as a weapon and Angel as leverage, all while performing the role of devoted mother and wife. It turned my stomach.
When we pulled up to the house, the scene outside the gates was pure chaos. Cameras flashed, reporters called out questions, and Victoria stood just inside the gates with two large suitcases, smiling sadly for the cameras like some kind of martyred saint.
The moment she spotted my car, her smile spread wider. I stepped out, fury rolling off me in waves. The security team held the press back as I cut through the gates.
"Darling," Victoria cooed, pitching her voice for the crowd. "I’m home. I told you I was fighting for our family. You wouldn’t throw your wife out in front of all these people, would you?"
I stopped a few feet away. "Enough of this performance, Victoria. Leave. Now."
She laughed. "Oh, come on. After everything we’ve been through? For Angel’s sake—"
"Don’t you dare use our daughter as a shield," I snarled, closing the distance until only she could hear the next part.
"If you don’t take your bags and get the hell off my property in the next five minutes, I will walk right over to those cameras and announce our divorce publicly. Right now. How do you think that will play for your pathetic little campaign?"
Her smile slipped. She searched my eyes and must have found what she was looking for, because she paled slightly.
"You wouldn’t."
"Try me," I said.
She held my gaze for a long moment, then painted another smile across her face for the cameras. She stepped forward, kissed my cheek, and wheeled her suitcase back through the gates toward her waiting car.
"Until next time, husband," she said sweetly, loud enough for everyone to hear.
The moment her car disappeared, and the press began packing up, I turned and walked into the house.
Angel was waiting in the living room, arms crossed, eyes red with fury and bright with unshed tears. River stood beside her, looking equally wound up.
I crossed the room in three strides and pulled my daughter into my arms, holding her tightly.
"I’m sorry, princess," I murmured into her hair. "I’m so sorry you had to see that."
Angel hugged me back fiercely before pulling away. "She’s the worst. I wish something would just happen to her already. Why can’t she leave us alone?"
I sighed, stroking her hair. "I know you’re angry. I’m angry too. But you can’t wish harm on people, Princess. Even her."
"She doesn’t care about me," Angel muttered. "She only cares about herself and whatever stupid game she’s playing with Grandma. I wish there was something I could do to make her stop."
I knelt to her level, hands resting gently on her shoulders. "This is grown-up stuff, sweetheart. You don’t have to fix it, okay? That’s my job, and I will fix it. I promise."
"Fine, but if she keeps doing this, I know some voodoo!" My daughter grumbled, and I pulled her tighter against me.
I had to end this nightmare — and soon — for her sake. Barely an hour later, Arnold called. He had taken some men to follow up on the lead about Owen Smith.
"Boss... when we got to the cabin, it was empty."
"They moved him?" fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
"Not exactly," Arnold swallowed audibly over the phone. "We found blood all over the floor."
