Lilian’s brows furrowed deeply. “The gossip about Sean and Lucinda is everywheretely, and barely anyone knows anything about Lucinda’s background, let alone Joseph. The Riley family has been quiet for a while now–so why would Joseph suddenly kidnap Lottie?”
She let out the whole string of thoughts in one breath, leaving James with a pounding headache. He rubbed his temples wearily.
“How should I know? Sean said he’s on <b>his </b>way back. Let’s wait for him and figure out a n. Oh–right, I should call Desmond and ask him toe
Lilian was genuinely worried about Charlotte’s safety. The fact that Joseph was the one behind the kidnapping made her even more anxious. She turned her re on James, muttering under her breath,
“Joseph again! It’s always him! James, this <b>is </b>all your fault. If you hadn’t—‘
James’s patience snapped the second <b>she </b>started bringing up the past <b>again </b>
“Oh, here we go. Drop it, will you?” he <b>snapped</b>. “That was <b>years </b><b>ago</b>! What’s the point in dredging it up now? We need to stay calm and figure out how to get Charlotte back”
Lilian’s temper red the moment James snapped at her. Her <b>voice </b>rose sharply, full of fury
“Bringing up the past? That’s what you think I’m doing? James, <b>ask </b>yourself–have ever done anything wrong in this marriage? Since the day I married into this family, I’ve given <b>my </b>all to the Jaspers-
<b>“</b>That’s enough!” James shouted, cutting her off. “This isn’t the time for a fight<b>!</b>”
With that, he stood up in a fury, brushed past her, and stormed upstairs.
Left alone in the living room, Lilian sat stiffly on the sofa, her eyes brimming with angry tears. James always used her of clinging to the past but how could she let it go when it had never been resolved? It was <b>a </b><b>wound </b>that never healed, a knot in her heart she couldn’t untangle.
After the storm of anger passed, only sorrow remained. She sat there quietly, <b>eyes </b>red and glistening, tears slowly slipping down her face.
Their shouting hadn’t gone unnoticed. One of the maids, who had been tidying up nearby, overheard everything. She had served Mrs. Jasper Sr. for over twenty <b>years </b>and reported all important matters in the house to her without fall
Naturally, within minutes of the argument, <b>Mrs. </b>Jasper St. had heard about it.
The maid recounted everything she <b>had </b>beard in detail.
Mrs. Jasper Sr. was stunned. “<b>Are </b><b>you </b>saying Joseph kidnapped Charlotte?”
The maid nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
Mrs. Jasper 5r. ‘s expression turned grim, her eyes hardening with restrained fury. “He’s out of control!”
She had never been fond of Charlotte but this was no minor matter. A kidnapping was a uneptable.
g was a serions <b>crime</b>, a matter of life and death. Like her or not, this was
And Joseph–though he had never been officially acknowledged by the family–<b>was </b>still her grandson. He carried the Jasper bloodline, She couldn’t tolerate a Jaspermitting such a crime.
Mrs. Jasper Sr. imunediately called Seen, telling him toe bome at once.
Se answered and said he was already on his v
way.
After hanging up, Mrs. Jasper St. turned to the maid. “Where’s Vivian?”
D