Eleanor’s expression immediately darkened.
It was no secret in Geniston that Wesley had become a vegetable.
For a prominent family like the Coopers, when a member fell ill in such a way, it was often seen as abandonment.
With so many children, why would Hailey care for a forgotten one?
Eleanor felt that Sandra was far too naive.
In such a large family, sentimentality didn’t exist.
However, she couldn’t bring herself to voice these thoughts.
Instead, she forced a polite smile.
“Mrs. Cooper, Madam Cooper has been deeply concerned about Mr. Cooper all these years.”
Sandra shot back, “Then why hasn’t she come?”
Eleanor was rendered speechless.
She had never encountered someone so blunt.
Taking a deep breath, she replied, “Mrs. Cooper, Madam Cooper is your elder. If word gets out, others will think you’re disrespectful.”
Sandra smiled coldly.
“I don’t care. After all, I come from a small village.”
Eleanor was at a loss for words.
“Mrs. Cooper, you must be joking,” she stammered.
“I’m not joking.”
Sandra’s expression suddenly hardened.
The smile evaporated from her face, replaced by a chilling aura that felt like the coldest winds of winter.
Step into fiction with . com
She took a slow, deliberate step forward.
At around 5’7″, Sandra towered over Eleanor, who stood at 5’5″.
The air around them grew colder, and Eleanor couldn’t shake the shiver that ran down her spine. And she couldn’t help but take a step back.
Her heart trembled violently.
She had encountered many people from the Cooper family over the years.
She could remain composed in front of anyone, no matter how dignified they were. But Sandra was different.
This village girl seemed to radiate a chilling, murderous intent.
Just being near her made Eleanor feel as though her veins were being severed.
The fear that seeped through her bones made her hesitant to underestimate Sandra any longer.
“Eleanor, I’ll ask you again. Did Madam Cooper come to visit my husband?”
Eleanor stammered, “She…”
“Think carefully before you answer!”
Eleanor’s mind was in turmoil.
If she told the truth, Hailey’s reputation would be tarnished.
She would also lose her job.
But if she didn’t speak up…
She couldn’t shake the fear of Sandra.
After a pause, she devised a compromise.
“Madam Cooper is in poor health, so whenever she tries to come here, we prevent her from entering.”
“Madam Cooper cares deeply for Mr. Cooper. If she saw him, she would likely be heartbroken and fall ill.”
“Mrs. Cooper, if you believe that Madam Cooper’s absence from the villa means she doesn’t care for him, I feel sorry for Madam Cooper!”
Sandra narrowed her eyes.
Eleanor truly deserved her years of service to Hailey.
She had a silver tongue.
Sandra wasn’t interested in debating further.
She simply replied,
“So, she wanted to enter the villa, but you stopped her? It must have been difficult for her.”
Eleanor feigned ignorance.
She smiled and steered the conversation back on track.
“Mrs. Cooper, actually, I came today for your gifts.”
Sandra pretended not to understand.
“Isn’t Zachary handling this?”
The smile on Eleanor’s lips froze, and her expression became serious.
“That’s right.”
Her voice trailed off.
“Madam Cooper emptied her personal savings for you.” By implication, Sandra should show some gratitude.
Sandra knew they had already figured out who had switched the items.
But they couldn’t reveal that to her.
“You’re right,” Sandra suddenly said.
Eleanor was confused.
“Mrs. Cooper, you…”
“Well,” Sandra began with a frown,
“I was so angry that I asked Zachary to investigate.
“But after he left, I regretted it.
“I was afraid Madam Cooper would be upset and get sick.”
Her sudden shift in attitude left Eleanor perplexed.
But Eleanor wasn’t easily swayed. Even though she didn’t fully understand, she suppressed her curiosity.
Sandra continued,
“It’s just a box of fake items. Whether real or fake, it’s from Madam Cooper, and I should wear it proudly.”
Eleanor’s mouth twitched.
Sandra wanted to wear it out?
It would be a slap in Hailey’s face!
But Sandra stood firm.
“Even if others make fun of me, they’ll definitely envy me for being cherished by Madam Cooper.”
Eleanor was left speechless.
She didn’t even know how to respond.
Sandra continued,
“Eleanor, go back and tell Madam Cooper that I still want those gifts.”
Eleanor was stunned.
Had her task been completed?
She had indeed come to persuade Sandra not to go too far,
but she hadn’t expected it to be this easy.
Sandra smiled “innocently” again.
“By the way, I saw a jade pendant in the box, and I really liked it. When the gifts arrive, I’ll give this pendant to my husband.”
As she spoke, she smiled at Wesley.
Wesley blinked in confusion.
Joey was left speechless, shocked beyond words.
When Sandra had bought the pendant at the auction, he’d sensed something was off,
but he hadn’t thought much of it.
Now, he finally understood Sandra’s intentions.
He silently gave Sandra a thumbs-up in his mind.
Incredible!
This was truly brilliant!
Eleanor had no idea what Sandra was plotting.
She grinned.
“You can rest assured that I’ll have someone deliver the items tonight.”
Sandra asked, as if on purpose,
“Would that be any trouble?”
Eleanor waved her hand dismissively.
She was eager to complete the task and leave.
Sandra was strange, and Eleanor didn’t want to deal with her any longer.
With that thought, she quickly found an excuse and left.
Sandra even mentioned how beautiful the pattern on her pendant was and expressed her desire to meet the skilled carver.
Eleanor agreed and left happily.
As the car pulled away, the smile faded from Sandra’s face.
She turned to Wesley beside her.
“Why did you report Mr. Baxter Cooper?”
Wesley raised an eyebrow.
“Uncle Baxter’s embezzlement was Debra’s doing. What does it have to do with me?”
Sandra wondered if she was being self-righteous.
.
.
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