Chapter 27
Patricia usually did her physical therapy in the mornings, but after how her day started, she pushed it to the afternoon instead. By the time she crawled through rush hour traffic and finally made it home, it was almost seven.
The second she walked in, Patricia was hit with the sight of disaster–flowers from the garden scattered everywhere, stems snapped, petals crushed into the path. The place looked like it had been raided.”
“Who did this? Has everyone lost their decency? What, did your mother die and you need the flowers for her funeral?” Marian’s voice cut through the chaos, sharp and furious. She stalked around the yard, eyes searching for someone to blame.X
Patricia, sitting in her wheelchair, just stared at the mess. She barely flinched. After a moment, she only sighed. “Call the police. Tell them we’ve had a break–in.”
Jackson didn’t hesitate. He trusted her judgment–he just pulled out his phone and made the call.%
The police arrived and questioned everyone. Turned out, no one had been home except for Judy, the housekeeper. When they checked the security cameras, nothing showed up. The whole house had lost power–the main switch had been flipped, and only someone inside could’ve done that. The only one there was Judy.
Patricia was firm. “It was Judy,” she said, and within half an hour, Judy was being taken away for questioning.
Right before the officers led her out, Judy grabbed Patricia’s wheelchair, her voice trembling. “Ma’am, please, I swear it wasn’t me…“2
Patricia looked almost delicate, dressed in a pale pink silk dress, her hair loose around her shoulders. The evening breeze drifted through the open window, the hem of her skirt fluttering softly. She seemed gentle, almost untouchable–a woman you’d never expect to accuse someone unfairly.
“Do you know who it was, then?” Patricia’s tone was calm but unwavering. “You know I don’t cover for anyone. If you did it, be ready to face the consequences. But if you’re innocent, I won’t hold it against you–you’ll keep your job.”
Her words were so even, so kind, that even the police looked at her with a little more respect. Here she was, in a wheelchair, still treating her staff with dignity.”
Judy’s face twisted with anxiety. What could she say? Earlier that afternoon, Kelly had barged in, furious, smashing things and yelling. Judy had panicked and turned off the power, not knowing what else to do. It was all a family mess, and now she was the one paying for
But she stayed silent, letting the police take her away.”
Word of what happened reached Theo while he was out having dinner with business partners. Aiden slipped in, phone in hand, and filled him in quickly. Theo’s face turned grim.”
He didn’t bother finishing the meal–he left right away for the police station.
When he saw Judy, his voice was cold: “Did you do this?“!
Judy shook. “Sir, it wasn’t me. It was Mrs. Newton.“!
Theo had half expected it, but still, he let out a heavy sigh. “When you get out, find another job,” he said quietly. The meaning was clear–don’t come back to the Newton house.
Later that night, Jackson called Patricia. “You were right. Mr. Newton let her go. He’s on his way home.“>
Thank you. Get some rest when you get back,” Patricia said, sitting at her vanity, smoothing lotion onto her arms. The soft scent of camellia floated in the air. Her phone sat on speaker beside her.”
At nine thirty. Theo came home. He paused at the entrance, staring at the ruined garden. It still hadn’t been cleaned up. He breathed out slowly then headed upstairs. When he knocked on the master bedroom door, Patricia was already in bed, propped against her pillows.
“Til have someone come tomorrow to fix up the garden,” Theo said quietly.!!
