“Enough!” Brady’s shout echoed as his palm pressed against Noreen’s mouth. His desperate eyes found Colleen.
“I’ll handle my mother. Get inside before your parents witness this disaster.”
“Of course.” Colleen’s head bobbed frantically in agreement.
Departing guests had begun to notice the disturbance, their curious stares gathering like vultures. Any further escalation would create a scandal impossible to suppress.
“We’re leaving!” Brady insisted, maintaining his grip over Noreen’s mouth while steering her toward the parking area.
Colleen rushed through the entrance, seeking refuge within the family compound.
Louise happened to walk out, bidding farewell to her friends. Seeing Colleen’s pale face, Louise couldn’t help but be puzzled.
“Colleen? I thought you and Brady were handling the farewells together. Why are you by yourself? What happened to Brady?”
“I… he…” Colleen’s natural honesty betrayed her as panic scrambled her thoughts.
Something was off. Louise’s maternal instincts detected trouble immediately.
“Something’s wrong. What happened?”
Meanwhile, Brady wrestled with Noreen, who fought against his restraint.
“Mom!” Desperation and helplessness colored Brady’s voice as he hissed through gritted teeth, “Please stop this madness. This is the most important day of my life. The Hayes family has finally accepted my relationship with Colleen!”
What? Shock froze Noreen’s struggles. The Hayes family had given their blessing?
Her teeth sank viciously into Brady’s restraining hand. Pain shot through him, and he released her instantly.
“That’s impossible!” Noreen gasped, fighting to catch her breath.
“They’ve always considered you beneath them. How could they suddenly welcome you into their family?”
“You’re right—they do look down on me,” Brady admitted, cradling his wounded hand against his chest. Her bite had been savage, leaving crimson crescents that bled.
Lаττ ch?ρτ?rs ιn glov?ls.
“Hadley intervened on my behalf. She convinced Ernest to speak for me, and the Hayes family finally agreed to give me a chance. Mom, I’m your flesh and blood. My happiness depends on this. Please don’t destroy everything I’ve worked for.”
Unfortunately, Noreen’s mind latched onto a single word, shutting out the rest.
“Hadley?” Disbelief twisted her features as she shook her head.
“That woman doesn’t possess an ounce of kindness. You’re deluding yourself.” Convinced she had unraveled the truth, she pressed on with growing conviction.
“You na?ve fool. Hadley orchestrated this entire scheme to steal your villa.”
“Mom!” Shock rippled through Brady’s voice.
“Have you lost your mind completely?”
“Lost my mind?” Noreen’s laugh held no humor.
“I’m the only one seeing clearly here. You think I’m blind to the way you’ve been covering Hadley’s expenses? Now she’s manipulating you into surrendering your property. She’s using you as her weapon against me, and you’re too smitten to recognize it.”
She whirled toward the house, her voice rising to a shriek.
“Hadley! Hadley! Show yourself, you coward!”
“Stop screaming!” Panic seized Brady as he positioned himself between his mother and the house.
.
.
.