Chapter 296 Tragic
“Didn't I say you shouldn't come back? Doesn't all this running around exhaust you?" Fiona asked with concern.
Ashton glanced into the room. "Is Darwin okay?"
"How could he be?" Fiona sighed. "No matter what, Anniston was the woman he grew up believing was his mother."
"What's the use of having a mom like that?"
Ashton took out his phone. "You heard about all this?"
Fiona took his phone and her expression darkened instantly.
About half an hour ago, someone had posted anonymously on a forum. The post listed a lot of things. Apart from some trivial stuff, what really caught the eye was the lengths to which Anniston had gone to wrest control of Solomon Enterprises from her son.
"Everyone knows that over a decade ago, when Darwin first started taking control of Solomon Enterprises from his grandmother, he was in a car accident." During the rescue, his heart stopped several times, and it was only thanks to millions of dollars' worth of medical equipment that his life was prolonged. He ended up in a vegetative state for most of the year. It was Anniston who arranged the accident to prevent her son from taking over Solomon Enterprises. (P.S.: Darwin later found out the truth, moved out of the ancestral home, and gradually distanced himself from his parents. Yet he never held his mother accountable, which is quite tear-jerking)."
"Another thing, after Secretary Woods' plane crash, Darwin was so devastated he coughed up blood and was hospitalized. During this vulnerable time, Anniston teamed up with some individuals from the Solomon family who were dependent on Darwin's fortune, attempting to sideline him. (Can a real mother even do such a thing?)"
"The latest gossip is about Grandma Solomon, the well-known jewelry and antique collector, right? You might not know that Mrs. Solomon and the late Secretary Woods were very close, almost like a grandmother-in-law and granddaughter-in-law. After Grandma Solomon developed dementia and probably unaware of Secretary Woods' death, her will left her entire collection of jewels and antiques to Secretary Woods. When Anniston found out, she led the Solomon family to make a scene at the memorial service. It's just disgraceful!"
Fiona skimmed through the post. These things, they all seemed to be true. It was clear the information came from someone very familiar with the relationship between Darwin and Anniston, likely someone on Darwin's side. After all, the original poster was continually diminishing Anniston.
"I think I've got the gist of it," Fiona replied to Ashton.
Anniston really caused the car accident that nearly killed Darwin?" Ashton was visibly shocked
Power struggles were normal, he thought. That's just how it is with wealthy families, right?
But...
To go so far as to kill your own son in a quest for power? That was truly abhorrent.
"Yes," Fiona nodded. "I found out about this when I first started working with Darwin. He was furious that day, as it seemed one of his own had secretly kept evidence of Anniston's deeds."
"What do you mean?" Ashton asked, shocked. "Are you saying Darwin knew about it and not only failed to hold anyone accountable but also destroyed the evidence?"
"That's right," replied Fiona.
Darwin must have been torn at the time. But it was his mother; what could he have really done?
Besides, back then, Darwin had also uncovered the cruel secret about his own origins that Anniston had harbored.
"It's ridiculous. He lets Anniston off easy, the one who harmed him, but comes down hard on you, not pulling any punches!" Ashton crossed her arms, seething with anger.
"Have you informed your husband about your return?" Fiona asked.
"No, I haven't," replied Ashton, with a hint of guilt.
She had driven herself back, speeding all the way.
"I was worried about you," Ashton said, linking her arm with Fiona's. "As for Anniston, that's karma for you!"
Fiona didn't respond.
Ashton didn't go home that night, opting to sleep in the lounge instead. She had been exhausted and after exchanging just a few words with Fiona, she had passed out.
Kenny couldn't get in touch with Ashton, so he called Fiona.
It was only after answering the call that Fiona learned Kenny had gone to the place where Ashton was supposed to be on a business trip, unaware that she had returned.
"She was worried about me and drove back," Fiona said, a mix of laughter and tears in her voice. "She must have been so tired, falling asleep instantly."
"I feel better knowing she's with you," Kenny sighed with relief.
"Ashton still seems to be adjusting to 'normal' wife routines. Give her some time," Fiona advised.
"Got it," Kenny replied. "By the way, how's your brother doing?"
"He's okay, had a headache for a bit but he's sleeping now."
"That's good. Sis, if there's anything I can help with, just tell me."
"Don't worry, I won't hesitate to ask."
They hung up the phone.
Fiona let out a long sigh.
Anniston was dead.
The thought circled in her mind, keeping her awake.
She went out to the small balcony of the hospital room, aimlessly scrolling through her phone out of sheer boredom.
The exposé on Anniston had moved from anonymous forums to the mainstream on social media platforms and short-video apps.
The comments were uniformly shocked.
"If what the whistleblower says is true, then I really feel sorry for Darwin. No wonder he grew up to be so cold and intimidating."
"Oh my gosh, Darwin was barely in his twenties when he became comatose. To know his own mother wanted him dead and to still cover up for her, that's just heartbreaking."
The intrigue among the elites had once again expanded my understanding of human nature!
While some earnestly discussed the matter at hand, there were those who delighted in gossiping.
"Oh my God, am I the only one who got a mouthful of glass shards from the latest bombshell? Secretary Woods is dead, and Mr. Solomon actually coughed up blood and got hospitalized! That's true love, to be so heartbroken you bleed!"
"It's such a tragedy about Secretary Woods. If she had lived, her charming and passionate billionaire lover would've inherited an immense collection of jewels and antiques. They both looked so perfect together; their kids would've been adorably cute... such a shame!"
"It's all fate, I guess..."
"Fiona felt a sting in her eyes as she read the comments."
Then, a message from Burl chimed in.
"The post's IP address traces back to a small European country, but I'm betting it's a fake."
"Sis, was Darwin really that miserable? No wonder he became a bloodthirsty monster. You've got to keep an eye on him from now on... Oh, and I'll make an effort to be a bit nice to him."
"How comes he, having a mother, is still worse off than me, who doesn't? So sad!"
Burl always seemed to be in a state of perpetual teenage rebellion - his tongue was sharp as a knife, but his heart was soft.
He'd spent the day despising Darwin, itching for a confrontation, yet now, out of pity, he was willing to offer kindness.
"Feeling sorry for him? Then maybe speak less ill of him around Charles," Fiona replied.
Burl: "..."
"Goodnight!!!!!!!"
Fiona could even picture Burl furiously pounding on the keyboard.
As she was about to head back inside, the door to the small terrace opened.
Turning around, she saw Darwin with a soft, tender smile, feigning surprise, "Ah, you found me!"
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