Blizzard, First Love and a Wife Who Finally Snaps novel Chapter 170

Susan immediately understood that Amanda needed to speak with Old Mrs. Blackwell alone.

"He's a very thoughtful young man," she remarked. "It's no wonder he's married."

Andrew smiled. "I'm just lucky Amanda puts up with me."

…

Old Mrs. Blackwell had stopped to buy a bouquet of flowers on the way. Amanda gently placed them in front of Isabel's tombstone.

Old Mrs. Blackwell gazed at the photograph on the headstone. It must have been taken recently. Isabel was wearing a white lab coat, a faint, serene smile on her face. She looked brighter, more liberated, than she ever had during the six years she had spent at home, waiting for Adrian.

"Tell me," she said, her voice heavy with regret, "was I wrong to make them get married?"

Amanda rose and held the umbrella over Old Mrs. Blackwell's head. "That was Isabel's own choice. It had very little to do with you. The most important thing now is for you to take care of your health and not let worry consume you."

Old Mrs. Blackwell stood there for a few moments longer, but her strength began to fail her. Amanda helped her back down the slope and into the car.

"You're a good child," Old Mrs. Blackwell said. "If you ever need anything, you just have to let me know."

"I'm polite to you because you were kind to Isabel," Amanda replied gently. "You don't owe me anything."

Old Mrs. Blackwell said nothing more. Smart people didn't need everything spelled out for them. She instructed her driver to take them home.

In the car, Susan poured her a cup of hot water and waited for her to speak.

Old Mrs. Blackwell took a sip and then asked, "Where is Adrian?"

Susan made a few calls. By the time they arrived back at the estate, she had a clearer picture of the situation.

The Blackwells, all except Adrian, gathered to devise a strategy to handle the escalating crisis.

Mrs. Blackwell offered a tentative defense for her son. "Perhaps he needs Selena for something. Maybe he can't let anything happen to her just yet. We should try to find out what Adrian is thinking before we make any decisions."

"And can you reach him?" Old Mrs. Blackwell asked sharply.

Mrs. Blackwell fell silent. No one could.

Before they could formulate a plan, another crisis struck: the Blackwell Group was in trouble.

Daniel arrived at the estate to deliver the grim news.

"We had previously finalized a partnership with Mr. Richard for our overseas expansion. However, a key condition of the contract was that Mr. Blackwell's marriage to his wife remained stable. The missus even went abroad specifically to play the part of the loving wife for Mr. Blackwell. But now, with this massive scandal involving Selena, Mr. Richard has learned about the divorce. He is demanding the termination of the contract and is suing for an exorbitant breach-of-contract penalty. The Blackwell Group's stock is in freefall."