Chapter 11
Astrid didn’t say much more. Her silence was approval of Calista’s decision.
Calista should have realized it long ago. Whether it was with the Marchand family or the Fenwick family, she would always be the most unwanted presence.
Finally, Astrid told her to rest and recover, then left the room. Shortly after, someone else arrived. It was Clover.
Carrying several bags, she looked at Calista’s pale face with shifty, guilty eyes. “Mrs. Fenwick, Mr. Fenwick sent me to take care of you.
”
“I’m not Mrs. Fenwick anymore. You can go back.” With that, Calista pulled out her IV and walked out of the room.
Clover grabbed her wrist at the doorway. “Mrs. Fenwick, Mr. Fenwick made it clear that you can’t go anywhere without his permission. Once you’re better, you’re to return to the Juniville estate immediately.”
Clover had a firm grip that hurt her wrist. Calista looked at her with cold eyes. Having spent 18 years doing farm work in the countryside, she easily broke free from Clover’s grasp.
“You’d better mind your own business.”
“Mrs. Fenwick, what are you saying? Mr. Fenwick employed me to take care of you. Of course I have to keep track of where you’re going. “She spoke respectfully, but there was disdain in her eyes.
“Whatever.”
Calista went to the hospital lobby in her patient gown and handled her discharge. When settling the bill, the nurse said, “Someone already paid your fees, Ms. Marchand. You’re still weak and shouldn’t be leaving this early.”
“It’s fine. The hospital is too expensive. I can recover just as well at home,” Calista insisted.
The nurse replied, “Alright then.”
As soon as Calista left, Alexander appeared in his white coat. “What happened to her?”
“She just checked herself out,” the nurse replied.
“I see.”
The gentle–looking man watched Calista’s figure disappear into the elevator.
While Calista was processing her discharge, Clover had just hung up her phone. “Mrs. Fenwick, I understand that you’re leaving. I merely work for the Fenwicks, so I can’t stop you, but I already called to let Mr. Fenwick know.”
Calista paid no attention and changed into her clean clothes. Walking out of the hospital, she found a familiar Maybach parked right in
front of her.
As if Lucien had predicted this, Galen had arrived just before her discharge.
The window rolled down, and Galen said, “Mrs. Fenwick, please get in the car.”
Calista pretended not to see him and kept walking. The car crawled along behind her. Then Galen said something that made her freeze.
“You should really reconsider, Mrs. Fenwick. Anthony’s been arrested for negligent management.‘
“That’s impossible. Anthony didn’t do anything wrong.”
Galen said, “If you don’t believe me, Mrs. Fenwick, make a call and check for yourself.”
Under the blazing sun, Calista felt the harsh light beating down on her, making her head spin. She dialed Clarice’s number with trembling hands.
Clarice immediately launched into a tirade. “Calista, you jinx! What have you done to our family?
“Anthony only got mixed up in your mess, and now he’s been hauled off to jail. Are you happy now that you’ve turned our lives upside down?
“I really regret ever letting you come back!”
Clarice then hung up. Calista stared in disbelief, struggling to accept that this was really happening. Lucien had actually done it.
Rage burned in her chest, but she finally got in the car. She instructed, “Take me to the office.”
“Mr. Fenwick is in meetings at the moment and can’t be disturbed,” Galen replied.
“I said, take me to the office! Are you deaf?” Calista’s voice shook as she shouted.
Galen caught sight of Calista’s red–rimmed, fury–filled eyes in the rearview mirror. He was genuinely surprised as he’d rarely seen her angry before.
She was usually kind to everyone and was always smiling. Even when upset, she never showed much emotion on her face.
He looked away and spoke in his usual professional tone. “I’m
sorry, Mrs. Fenwick. I can’t do that.”
Even if he brought Calista to the office, she’d just embarrass herself. It would humiliate Lucien if she caused a scene in front of the
whole company.
“Ensuring Anthony’s safety is actually quite simple. You just need to behave and go back home, Mrs. Fenwick. Mr. Fenwick will release him.”
“Is that his message?” she asked.
Galen didn’t answer, but his meaning was clear.
