A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 550

“A small favor? Are you pretending to be clueless or are you really this dense? This is all part of Starla's plan.”

“What? How is it…?”

“Starla is trying to take the entire Yelchin family,” Caden explained. “Fairfax won't give it to her, so it’s come to this.”

This went far beyond simple revenge. This was all-out war.

“That’s insane!” Darian exclaimed. “The entire Yelchin family? Fairfax would never agree to that.”

It was a ridiculous demand. The Yelchin fortune was built over generations. How could she think she could just take it? She might have the audacity to ask, but Fairfax could never give it away. If he did, he’d be a disgrace to his ancestors. He’d never be able to face them in the afterlife.

“Exactly,” Caden said. “He won’t give it to her, and that’s why they’re at war. So you go and solve Fairfax’s problem with Annika, and what do you think Starla will do to you?”

They were in the heat of battle. Every move Starla made was designed to force Fairfax’s hand. By helping Fairfax, Darian was interfering directly. In Starla's eyes, that was a death wish!

It was Darian’s turn to gasp. He took a deep breath. “So you’re saying if Starla finds out I helped Fairfax, I’m screwed?”

“Yes. Your family company will probably go down in flames.”

“She can’t be that ruthless, can she?” As Darian saw it, while Starla had been aggressive lately, she had seemed like a decent person when she was with Fairfax. Her fight was with him. Surely she wouldn't attack his friends, too?

Caden knew what Darian was thinking and scoffed. “Let me ask you this. Fairfax is being pushed to the brink. Why do you think he hasn’t just moved into his office or stayed at Gabriel’s place?”

The atmosphere at the Yelchin family estate was so suffocating even a ghost would choke. It was only natural that Fairfax wouldn't want to go back there. So why did he?

“Then are you willing to risk the entire Lynn Group for it?”

Darian fell silent. Suddenly, their long-standing friendship didn't seem so important anymore.

“I know you want to help Fairfax,” Caden said, softening his tone slightly, “but now is not the time.”

Anyone who helped him now would be dragged down with him. It was a favor no one could afford to grant.

Darian let out a hiss of frustration. “I just… I wasn't thinking when I was on the phone. I just said yes.”

He had just finished another stressful call and was about to head into a meeting when Fairfax called. He genuinely hadn't thought it through. Now his head was pounding.