Chapter 209

When Horace came to the next morning, his head throbbed mercilessly.

He dragged himself upright, pressing a hand to his aching forehead as he took in the disaster zone around him.

The place was wrecked-torn clothes scattered, a glass tipped over, and a plesant scent hung in the air.

His memories of last night were a blur,his mind fuzzy as he tried to recall the details. He rubbed his head,willing the fog to lift.

A slow grin spread across his face-he had finally had his way with Lainey.

Nolan's girl had caved to him at last.

The thought jolted him awake,making his hangover fade into the background.

Damn, not bad at all. He would call it a win.

But where was Eleanor? Horace glanced around the messy room, puzzled by her absence.

She must have headed off to check in on Darlene.

When he peered out the window, the sun was already high-it was nearly noon.

He smirked to himself. Clever woman, getting on Darlene's good side before he was even up.

In high spirits, Horace got to his feet, slipped on his shoes, and made his wway toward the door.

The moment he stepped out, he nearly collided with a stone-faced figure.

Stephanie stood waiting-his wife's most loyal attendant.

She offered a polite bow, her voice sharp and formal."Sir, Mrs. Boyd wvould like a word with you."

Horace nodded quickly, trying to hide his nerves. "Of course, of course, I'll go right now."

Stephanie led the way, her posture rigid and her expression unreadable. The silence on the walk left Horace with a pit growing in his stomach.

He had a bad feeling about this. His instincts were right. The second he stepped into Darlene's room, a glass flew at his head.

He dodged on instinct, legs nearly giving out beneath him.

Pulling himself together, he forced a shaky smile."Baby, what's got you so riled up?"

Inside,he was terrified.

This was no ordinary tantrum.

Darlene didn't bother with words. She fixed him wvith an icy glare, then tossed a phone his way.

Horace recognized it instantly-his own phone.

A chill crept through him as he stooped to pick it up,his gut twisting with dread.

The screen was still glowing, and at the top was a text message from last night.

It was from Lainey.

"Horace,did you take care of Eleanor?"

His blood ran cold.

Had he really left his phone with Darlene last night? Panic set in, his mind racing, sweat breaking out along his spine.

He scrambled for words, voice shaky. "Baby, wait,let me explain-this isn't what it looks like. There's nothing going on between me and her.I-"

Darlene interjected, her eyes icy and sharp, "You're still in touch with that woman? And now you're scheming to get rid of the one person who saved me?Are you really so eager for a death wish, Horace?"

Horace's words died in his throat. He dropped to his knees with a heavy thud, the sound ringing through the room. "Baby, please-I know l messed up! I swear,it was just business. That's all,I-"

But for once, he couldn't even spin a convincing lie.

Darlene didn't bother to reply. She exchanged a glance with Stephanie.

Stephanie nodded, walked to the wall, and returned holding a leather whip-her face utterly unreadable.

When Horace saw the gleaming whip in her hands,panic shot through him. "Baby! I'm begging you-please,not this time!"

But his pleas fell on deaf ears. The whip cut through the air, snapping down hard, and Horace's cries echoed through the house.

He didn't dare protest. All he could do was curl up and shield himself, sobbing and writhing on the floor.

From the shadows behind a pillar, Eleanor observed the spectacle, a sly smirk curving her lips.

Just as she expected.

A spitfire like Darlene would never tolerate any lingering attachment to Lainey.

This beating was only a taste of what was coming.

The real chaos was still ahead.