Chapter 57
Preston Winslow almost shot back with a “And who are you, exactly?” but, noticing the woman’s expensive clothes, he thought better of it and kept his mouth shut.
Marigold, who didn’t recognize the woman either, took the initiative. “Excuse me, may I ask who you are?”
The woman replied, “I’m Chloe Fontaine, owner of Elixir & Co.”
At that, Marina’s expression changed instantly. But with so many people around, she forced herself to stay composed, no matter how uneasy she felt.
Chloe continued, “All of our supplements at Elixir & Co. are my original formulas. We don’t just sell them to anyone. In the past month, I’ve only sold to one person–Niamh.”
Hearing that name, Marigold looked the most surprised of anyone.
Jonathan’s sharply cut features, however, betrayed little emotion.
“Niamh told me a friend’s mother had been hospitalized after a fright and needed something calming and restorative. I hadn’t realized she meant Mrs. Thomas.”
As Chloe mentioned “a friend,” a storm flickered in Jonathan’s deep–set eyes. His grip on his wine glass tightened.
Marigold forced a polite smile. “Those supplements really are effective. No wonder your brand is so famous.”
Just then, Sprague strolled over, brimming with pride. “Ms. Fontaine, Niamh is our daughter–in–law–so thoughtful and caring.”
It was only when Sprague said this that Jonathan’s old high school friends realized he was married.
“Oh?” Chloe arched an eyebrow. “Then is Ms. Thornton Mr. Thomas’s mistress or… a little something on the side?”
Her words sent a ripple through the crowd; everyone’s gaze toward Marina shifted instantly.
Marina dug her nails into her palm, doing her best to stay calm.
“Ms. Fontaine, that’s a bit much,” Jonathan said coolly, stepping in. “Marina is an old classmate from high school.”
Seeing him defend her, Marina managed to regain some of her composure and
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even offered a shaky smile.
“My apologies, I misunderstood,” Chloe said, though there wasn’t a trace of regret on her face. “It’s just that, in my world, married men shouldn’t be too close with other women. So if I jumped to conclusions, I can’t entirely blame myself.”
Jonathan opened his mouth to explain further, but before he could speak, Sprague cut in, “Ms. Fontaine is right. It’s Jonathan’s fault for lacking boundaries. I must have failed as a parent.”
Despite being “just” a nutritionist, Chloe came from a powerful family and was well–connected in business circles. Sprague considered it a stroke of luck to have her attend today’s gathering.
Truth be told, Chloe hadn’t wanted to come at first. But knowing that Niamh was the Thomas family’s daughter–in–law, she thought she might run into her here.
Niamh, meanwhile, was genuinely surprised to see Chloe at the Thomas estate. She’d been about to leave, but spotting Chloe, she lingered a little longer.
After brushing off Sprague with a few polite words, Chloe made her way over to Niamh. The two women slipped away from the party to speak privately, giving the impression to onlookers that they were old friends.
“Are you really not planning to visit your parents?” Chloe asked gently, her tone a world away from the one she’d used with Jonathan moments earlier. “They’ve told me they miss you.”
Niamh’s face turned colder than ever. She was silent for a long moment before giving a bitter, mocking smile.
“I have only one mother. She’s in a nursing home, and I go see her all the time.”
Chloe hesitated, then changed the subject.
“And Jonathan…”
“I’m in the middle of divorcing him.”
Catching on that Niamh didn’t want to talk about Jonathan, Chloe gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, almost like a kind aunt.
Ever since it became clear that Chloe knew Niamh, Marina noticed Jonathan’s gaze lingering on Niamh more frequently, and for longer.
“Jonathan…” she whispered, clinging to his arm. “I’m sorry… When I was in the hospital, I had no idea those supplements were from Niamh. She didn’t leave a
name. I did wonder if it was her, but Marigold was so upset and weak at the time–l
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was afraid if I mentioned Niamh, it would make things worse. Please, you don’t blame me, do you?”
