“We’re leaving right now!”
He located his vehicle and practically shoved her into the passenger seat. While he jogged around to the driver’s side and fumbled with his seat belt, Noreen seized her chance to escape.
“Mom!”
Noreen sprinted toward the house, deaf to his pleas. Defeat crashed over Brady like a wave.
“Hadley! Face me like the schemer you are!” Noreen’s voice carried across the manicured grounds.
Departing guests paused in fascination, their attention drawn to the unfolding drama.
Louise’s gaze found Colleen, thunderclouds gathering in her expression.
“Security! Remove this woman immediately!”
“Right away, ma’am!” The security team mobilized to intercept Noreen’s advance.
Noreen’s determination only intensified when she spotted Louise and Colleen retreating toward the house.
“Mrs. Hayes! Don’t you dare flee from the truth! And you, Colleen—your innocent act doesn’t fool me! You’ve partnered with Hadley to exploit my son’s devotion and steal everything he owns!”
The gathered guests erupted into excited murmurs.
“What’s happening here?”
“Who is that woman?”
“Isn’t that Brady’s mother causing this scene?”
Louise’s fury burned as she fixed Colleen with a withering stare, her breathing labored with rage.
“Colleen, in all our family’s history, we have never endured such public humiliation!”
“Mom!”
“Come here!” Louise’s fingers clamped around Colleen’s wrist like a vise, dragging her toward sanctuary.
è ￠?ΔT?εЯ? ?η ?a?иoν.
“You’re coming with me right now!”
Her attention snapped back to security.
“Why are you standing there? Remove this woman from my property!”
“Understood, ma’am!”
“Ma’am, you must depart immediately, or we’ll be forced to contact law enforcement!”
“Call the police? Please do! Your threats mean nothing to me! That’s perfect—I have fraud charges to file against this entire family!”
“Mom!” Brady arrived seconds too late. The massive gates of the Hayes residence began their slow, inexorable closure, sealing him out.
“Colleen!” He lunged toward the narrowing gap, desperate to reach her.
Security blocked his path with professional firmness.
“Mr. Jenkins, we strongly advise you to collect your mother and leave. This situation has spiraled beyond control.”
Brady stood frozen as the gates sealed his fate, acutely aware of every watching eye, every whispered comment, every pointing finger.
Meanwhile, Noreen’s rage showed no signs of abating.
.
.
.