Chapter 26: Susan's Fortress of Solitude; The Woods' Mansion

Susan's POV

Paul covered my mouth with his palm to prevent the workers from hearing me.

He forced me inside the car and shut the door. It goes to show how careful he wants to be.

“Have you suddenly lost your mind? Why would you even come up with a dangerous plan like that? What if you get caught?” Paul berated me for my suggestion.

I was slightly disappointed in him. I thought he was going to take sides with me. I was wrong.

And this time, we both seemed to be on different pages.

“Come on, Paul.

I did nothing wrong.

It was just a harmless suggestion. Besides, you don't even have a better option.” I protested.

I justified my actions with a thousand explanations, yet it wasn't enough to convince Paul to work with me.

He still thinks I'm losing my mind.

I decided not to speak with Paul about the idea anymore to avoid being reported to the police.

“How about we go talk to his Father? I believe that could help,” Paul suggested.

I didn't waste time kicking against it. Mine sounded way better than his and it's not even a debate.

“Ethan's Father?

Do I need to remind you that they're at loggerheads? His Father still thinks low of me.

According to him, I'm the reason his son stopped talking to him,” I reminded Paul.

As a family member, I expected him to be kept abreast of tiny details like that.

“Even when I'm coming with you?” He gave me a wink.

He made me believe that his presence might reduce whatever hatred Ethan's Father has towards me.

“Fine! I'll come with you,” I was forced to accept Paul's suggestion.

It wasn't my intention to bow to pressure.

I did it to make him believe that I wasn't gonna stick to the initial plan of abducting Maria's kids anymore.

“Thank you for trusting my words. Trust me, you won't regret listening to me,” Paul assured me.

I forced myself to smile at his every dry joke. I did everything possible to make him believe that I was on his side.

But in reality, I wasn't.

I was even hoping for Ethan's Father to kick us out of his house just to prove to Paul that I was right all along.

We finally arrived at Ethan's Father's mansion that's twice bigger than ours.

Despite Ethan's rift with his Father, there's no denying the fact that he played a significant role in building Ethan's billionaire empire.

At some point when it seemed like the company was sinking in considerable debt, Ethan's Father came to the rescue.

Aside from his philanthropic nature, Ethan's Father is worse than a deadbeat Dad.

He's certainly the closest thing to a monster. He lacked what she felt like to be a father.

He's wired to believe that the world revolves around money and power.

He missed the wedding between Ethan and me.

And when Ethan complained about his absence, he sent us a Bentley car as a consolation prize.

Coming to meet him for the first time since I got married to Ethan is synonymous with dining with the devil.

“It's fine if you want to take some moments to build your confidence. I don't expect this to be a smooth ride,” Paul advised me.

He watched me so many times to know how scared I was.

I may choose not to admit it, but my heartbeat certainly did the opposite.

“I had already prepared my mind for the worst that's about to happen, Paul. We are here now. So let's do this,” I told Paul.

We stepped outside the car and approached the doorway.

After landing a soft knock on the door, a young lady of my age showed up.

She was half-dressed.

Her appearance is no different from a slut

Her cleavages were on display while her short skirt revealed her hot thighs.

I thought she would run away in shame after seeing Paul, but she never did. Rather, she stood in front of us with so much confidence.

“Good day, ma'am.

Is Mr. Woods in?

We want to see him, please,” I greeted the lady with respect since I wasn't sure who she was.

“And who are you?” She asked me after scanning my entire body as though I were oozing.

I felt insulted by her actions but I didn't demonstrate it.

If it wasn't for Paul, I would never have thought about coming to visit Ethan's Father.

I was quite aware that I might end up being insulted.

But I never imagined that the insult would come from a different person rather than Ethan's Father, as I predicted.

“Are you deaf?

I just asked you a question.

Who are you here to see?

You might as well leave if you are not ready to speak,” the lady snapped at my silence.

I was lost for words to express how angry I was. The sight of her infuriates me the more.

Hearing her voice, I had a thousand reasons to attack her.

“She's Susan, Ethan's wife.

And I'm Paul, Ethan's cousin.

Mr. Woods is my Uncle.

Please tell him that Ethan's cousin and wife are here to see him,” Paul spoke in the absence of my voice.

He knew how agitated I had become and saw the need to come through for me.

“It wasn't that difficult for her to say, was it? I will be back soon. You both should stay right here.

Don't come inside without my consent. I don't trust you,” the lady left in a harsh tone.

After she left, I peeked at Paul to remind him why I never wanted to visit Ethan's Father. “That man is bad news. Did you see how that lady treated us like rubbish?”

“I witnessed everything.

You just have to relax your nerves.

We are here already.

Walking away isn't the best option,” Paul advised. He's the only reason I haven't left.

If I was asked to act on my will, I would have fought that lady who disrespected me before I bowed out.