The Runaway Groom
Chapter 143

Chapter 143

Samantha was in a great mood since Irene was gone, and wasconvinced that the Spencer estate now was all her son's to take.Naturally, what belonged to her son was hers as well.

“As the doctor ordered, I made a blanched meal of meat andvegetables. You should eat more, and you'll get better soon,” she toldLionel.

When Lionel tried to push himself up, she quickly came to help him,even putting a pillow behind him for him to lean on.

Then, as she poured him a bowl of broth, she said, “By the way, I heardthat Irene went missing.”

Lionel's head jerked toward her right then, and the look in his eyespuzzled her.

“What's with that look?” She smiled.

Lionel realized that he was overreacting too, and quickly tried to hide itso that she did not notice. “The broth looks good. It must have taken awhile to cook it, right?”

“Yeah! I spent hours on it-have as much as you like.” Samanthahanded him the bowl, and *quickly changed the subject. “Don't youthink Irene would meet an accident, going missing

like that?"

As Lionel stared at Samantha, he did not need Irene to tell him thatSamantha knew something he did not, given the way she was testingthe waters.

Moreover, Samantha had never liked Irene, but she was somehoweager to mention her today.

Irene must have been telling the truth-Samantha had tried to harm her,or worse.

“She'll be fine. Why would she get into an accident?” Lionel said,appearing calm but he was already turning cold inwardly. “She wentmissing for months last time too. Maybe she’s just hiding again-whypanic?”

“I'm just worried.” Samantha kept probing. “You need to plan ahead ifsomething really happened to her.”

“What are you talking about?” Lionel asked, glaring at her now.

“I mean, Ricky is your sole heir now, so you should focus on him. Don’tthink about your daughter—she’s married and belongs to another family,and the Jeffersons would never want for money..

Lionel could no longer stand it right then, and cut her short. “Did you dosomething to Irene, Samantha White?!"

Samantha laughed. “No way-

That was when she heard a sound behind her, and turned to replace Irenestanding there.

“No!” she cried out in panic and terror from guilt. “You should be dead!Don't come near me!”

“That's not what you said when you tried to kill me!” Irene said as shestrode toward

Samantha

Still panicking, Samantha cowered. “No, I didn't kill you! You shouldn'tbe haunting me!”

“Your men, your plan,” Irene said, baiting Samantha to confess as shehad already started recording their voices with her cellphone.

Once Samantha admitted it, it was proof enough that she tried to KillIrene-even if she failed!

It was conspiracy to murder!

Nonetheless, Samantha kept shaking her head. “It wasn't me, it wasn'tme!”

Her near-manic state left Lionel glowering, and he barked, “Do youhave a death wish, Samantha White? You actually attempted murder?!”Samantha's head seemed to clear up from his scolding, and she lookedbetween Lionel and Irene. "Y-You're not dead?”

“You'll be if she really was!” Lionel bellowed.

Finally coming back to reality, Samantha promptly denied it. “No! I'dnever kill anyone! It's all a misunderstanding!”

“A misunderstanding?” Irene laughed. “Your goons tried to rape me andkill me, but I managed to escape. Did you think I'd let it go after allthat?"

Samantha played dumb. “I don't know what you're talking about.”“Your thugs tried to rape her?” Lionel asked, his voice turning quiet-hewas less agitated, but furious nonetheless.

“Don't listen to her! I'd never do that,” Samantha said fawningly. “Don'tyou know what your own daughter is like?”

“I do that's why I trust her,” Lionel replied.

Samantha tried to defend herself further, but Lionel cut her short. “Iknow you want Ricky to inherit the family estate, and I am death's door.It is understandable that you would desire. that to happen, but do youthink I'd forgive you for trying to murder Irene, my daughter?”

“I'm not

“If you want Ricky to inherit the family fortune, surrender yourself at theprecinct. Refuse, and Ricky won't get a cent.”

It was not as if Lionel did not love his son, just as he was not coldenough to cut him out of his

will

He had to do this to force Samantha to give in, because she was theonly reason Irene would refuse to acknowledge Ricky as a siblingIrene was older and had discipline, whereas Ricky had been spoiledtoo much by Samantha, and only ever caused trouble!

To entrust Ricky to Irene’s care, he must punish Samantha!