Chapter66Cunning as Foxes
Francesca was no fool and could see right through the situation.
She did want Margaret to act without shouldering any responsibility herself. But Margaret, cunning as she was, might not be so willing to make a move.
For years, she had fought tirelessly, all for the sake of carving out a legacy for her son. Just when everything seemed to be under control, Raymond returned. And with Bradley’s partiality, the fate of Hawke Corporation remained uncertain.
Raymond and Paige had just gotten married, and Bradley had already gifted Paige a hefty share of stocks, even more than Francesca had in her possession. Francesca thought for a moment, then lifted her head and met Margaret’s gaze with a smile.
She reached into her bag and pulled out a small box, handing it over to Margaret.
"I thought the call today was about some pre-wedding issues to discuss with the kids, so I brought this along," Francesca said.
Margaret opened the box and found a diamond ring resting inside.
She chuckled. "A ring?"
Francesca grinned, "Yes, a ring. An engagement ring I chose for Louis. The poor kid doesn’t know the first thing about jewelry. An engagement ring should traditionally be bought by the man, so I did him the favor. I planned to let them pick out their wedding bands themselves, but then this mess happened."
Margaret held the ring and sighed in relief.
By offering the diamond ring, Francesca signaled that as long as Raymond and Paige’s divorce succeeded, Louis and Xena's engagement would still stand!
Satisfied with Francesca’s gesture, Margaret nodded. "Mrs. Howard's taste is impeccable; look at how well this diamond was chosen."
After putting the ring in her pocket, Margaret continued, "We’re all family here, no need for pretenses. That Paige, she’s not my son’s child, which is frankly embarrassing. When Xena's mother came into this family, she was pregnant. I thought I was welcoming my first grandson, but I never imagined...
“It was after Xena’s birth that my son fell ill and passed away. Otherwise, I’d never have allowed that woman to stay in our house. Out of respect for Xena, I kept her. But a troublemaker can't stay, so we sent her to live in the countryside.
“We brought her back a few times for various reasons, and when she was eighteen, she came back home, but trouble arose. Xena had an argument with her mother, which tragically ended with a push down the stairs.
“The woman was holding on to life, yet the severe injury remained... In a desperate attempt to protect my family's only bloodline, I negotiated a deal to save her. That's when Paige took Xena’s place.
“Back then, even Louis sided with Xena, suggesting ideas. Although what we did was underhanded, we felt there was no other choice. Xena was the only heir to our estate. How could I just stand by and watch her get dragged down by this mess?
“I knew Paige wasn't exactly the cooperative type. Hence, I always had something on her mother. Now, pushing her towards divorce seems to be the only card to play."
Margaret's revelation had Francesca reeling in shock. To think, the Sacklers had such scandals behind closed doors.
In her memories, the Sackler matriarch was a stunner. Though not quite on par with her own allure, she was once a prominent figure in Northwind.
It was beyond belief to learn that her firstborn wasn't of Sackler blood. Such a startling twist indeed.
But that wasn't the crux of the matter. Rather, it was Paige's streak of bad luck. Despite her youth, she'd faced a fair share of hardships.
If Paige hadn't married Raymond, Francesca would have genuinely sympathized with her. But as Raymond's wife, she was inherently on the opposite side.
It's just how things were in the Carnegie family – with its limited resources, engagement or disengagement in family strife wasn't a matter of choice.
Having heard everything, Francesca conceded, "So, there's an underlying connection. In that case, we could try and see if we can incite a split. In the best-case scenario, they divorce. If not, we'll have to put in the effort."
Margaret chuckled, "Exactly, with a twin-pronged approach, opportunities will arise."
Thus, Margaret and Francesca reached an agreement.
Meanwhile, Xena had just arrived at the Sanatorium when Paige received a call from Julian.
After a quick run to the bank, Paige cleared out her belongings, and just as she loaded her safety deposit box into her car, she heard someone visit her mother.
The photo Julian sent was unmistakable; it was Xena.
The news of her marriage to the disabled Raymond had already started ripples through the Sackler clan.
After hanging up with Julian, Paige immediately called Pearl.
No time wasted on pleasantries, Paige commanded with authority, "I want that Viper in the garage. Bring it out for a trade."
Glancing at the time display in the car, she added, "You have fifteen minutes." With that, she ended the call.
Fifteen minutes later, Pearl met Paige on the street, driving out the requested Viper for their exchange. Seeing Paige dressed differently today, Pearl couldn't hide her surprise.
Pearl asked, "Xanthe, you want me to bring your car over? Are you not going back to the office?"
Paige, heading toward the trunk to retrieve the box she had taken from the safety deposit box at the bank, replied, "I have more important matters to attend to today."
With that, she popped open the safe.
Pearl stood beside her, mouth agape.
The safe was filled with an array of high-end jewelry and accessories.
Paige, with finesse, as if selecting produce at the Farmer's Market, grazed her delicate fingers over a row of luxury watches, effortlessly picking up one with a price tag that soared into the millions, and nonchalantly fastened it around her wrist.
She then casually pointed at the safe and instructed Pearl, "Put the safe in the south wing of the mansion and bring over some clothes as well. I'll need my own wardrobe, along with some outfits for a middle-aged woman. Also, line up a few discreet medical staff. I need people who can keep their mouths shut."
Pearl gazed at Paige in astonishment. "Xanthe, you're moving into the mansion? Fantastic, I'll get right on it."
As Pearl was about to make the arrangements via phone, Paige revealed a hidden compartment under the trunk's floorboard, which was meant for a spare tire. Instead, there was a black box.
The box wasn't large, but when Paige opened it, it nearly made Pearl's jaw drop.
Inside laid a neatly arranged collection of daggers with razor-sharp blades and some parts that were odd and unfamiliar.
If Julian had been there, he would've recognized those parts in an instant. Once assembled, they would form a compact firearm.
However, Paige simply grabbed a couple of straps, binding one to each thigh, and slid the daggers into place.
Pearl looked around nervously—this was in broad daylight, out on the street.
And Paige was casually arming herself as if it were nothing?
Pearl, growing anxious, stammered, "Xanthe, this is...this is..."
Paige's face remained calm, cool with a touch of detachment. "Some things I should have dealt with the day I got out. Now, I have no more hesitations!"
