What happened that she didn’t know about?
“That’s not Ms. Phipps’s business,” she said, shifting in her wheelchair as she got ready to leave. With a quick glance at the person by the door, she added, “Go tell Theo–if he keeps me waiting, he’ll regret it. I’m not exactly known for my patience.”
As soon as Kelly left, Jackson pulled the curtains shut, closing off the room from the outside world. He helped her up from the wheelchair. “Miss, are you trying to stir things up between the Martins and the Newtons?”
She gave a faint, almost careless smile. “If the water isn’t muddy, how am I supposed to slip in?”
Wasn’t Ruby supposed to be hopelessly in love with Theo? What would she do when she came back and saw Kelly and Tina tearing each other apart? That same girl who once stood in front of her, all smug and superior, calling her a cripple–Patricia wanted to rip off that perfect mask herself.
She wanted everyone to see the truth, to leave her exposed in front of the whole world.
“Go on, I have something for you to take care of…”
Jackson leaned in as Patricia whispered instructions. When she finished, his eyebrows shot up, a flicker of excitement flashing in his eyes.
“I’ll get right on it.”
***
“Did you hear? Ruby’s coming back. Word is, she still can’t let go of Mr. Newton–she’s coming back to chase her true love.”
“Didn’t she move overseas?”
“Come on, going abroad isn’t what it used to be. Anyone can do it now. Without her family backing her up, what could she possibly make of herself out there?”
“So she went away, realized life as a rich man’s wife is easier, and now she’s crawling back?”
“Sounds about right,” someone agreed.
“She might actually have a shot, you know. Everyone knows what happened with Patricia–she lost her legs saving Mr. Newton, and the Newtons only married her to repay the debt. There’s no real relationship there. Patricia barely leaves the house and she doesn’t care about Theo’s business. The moment Ruby, his old flame, comes back, Patricia’s done for.”
“Done for? Don’t forget about Nina,” someone cut in, rolling their eyes.
“Nina? She’s just a novelty for Theo, nothing serious. Ruby is the real deal–the childhood sweetheart. She and Theo go way back. She knows him better than anyone. Nina can’t compete with that.”
That’s over twenty years of history together. What does Nina have to offer compared to that?
“Theo’s the head of Newton Group now, working around the clock. He needs a real partner, not some fragile little flower. Nina doesn’t stand a chance. Even Patricia, wheelchair or not, at least gives Theo
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Chapter 48
a reputation for being responsible and loyal. If he ends up with Nina, people will just call him a cheater.”
The bar buzzed with gossip, everyone tossing in their opinions.
At a nearby table, a young woman clutched her drink, her hands shaking so hard the veins stood out. Her whole body felt hot, her mind spinning.
“Joey, is it true? Is Ruby really coming back?”
Joseph handed her a tissue and sighed. “I haven’t heard anything official.”
“But if she’s coming back, she’s coming back.”
“As long as Theo hasn’t divorced Patricia, you still have a chance.”
Nina wiped her tears, sobbing as she looked at Joseph–she was barely in her twenties, still too young and soft for all this drama.
Joseph couldn’t stand seeing his little sister so upset, so he gave in and took her straight to Newton Enterprises.
The moment they arrived, Aiden met them at the door.
“Where’s Theo?”
“Mr. Newton went to the airport to pick someone up.”
