The Silent Wife

As Rachel retrieved the envelope from Jefferey's hands, she noticed that it was thin and virtually weightless

Can I look at it? she asked, looking curiously at him.

It was strange that he was handing her something that even Amber hadn't seen before.

Yet, he nodded his head in the affirmative. "You're my daughter. Whatever belongs to the Hudson Family also belongs to you. Why wouldn't you be able to open it?"

With that, Rachel carefully opened the envelope in front of him and pulled out a yellowing piece of paper with delicate rows of writing in between red lines.

Valerian, passionflower, hops...

There was nothing special about this piece of paper. Wasn't it simply the formula for the Hudson Pharmaceutical's sleeping pills? The ingredients listed on the paper were exactly the same as those listed on their medicine boxes.

Perhaps that was the only strange thing-the contents were exactly the same, with no listed dosages on this piece of paper.

As Rachel was pondering the matter, Jefferey spoke urgently, "Well, Rae, do you remember anything?"

She shook her head.

Of course she didn't remember anything. She had been lying to him from the get-go.

"Look at it carefully." He seemed a bit impatient. "Didn't you say your mother had you memorize the medicine's dosages? Try to remember it."

Upon hearing his words, she finally understood what he meant.

It was obvious that Jefferey had a list of ingredients but none of the required dosages.

Yet, the sleeping pills were Hudson Pharmaceuticals' top-selling product. Its production had never stopped all these years. How did they manage to produce it if he didn't have the precise dosages?

All of a sudden, Rachel's heart sank.

Dad, how did my mom die? she asked.

The sudden question caused his expression to stiffen. "I thought I told you she died in a car accident. Why? Did your grandmother say something?"

While looking at Jefferey's guilty expression, Rachel happened to glance at the bookcase situated at the far end of the room from the corner of her eye.

After a heartbeat, she slowly shook her head in denial.

Only then did his expression relax.

Given that she couldn't remember anything, he sank in disappointment onto the chair behind his desk.

Even when she returned the formula to him, he carelessly tossed it aside, as if absolutely unconcerned about it.

Indeed, the contents listed on the paper did not have any financial value-what was worth a lot were the required dosages. It was no wonder he previously had the paper locked up so carefully. "Let's forget Amber for now. How's your progress on what I asked you to do?" Jefferey asked coldly from behind the desk.

As she tried her best to look calm, Rachel answered, I'm on it.

"It's true we can't rush it, but you need to hurry. The Hudson Family needs the support of the Burton Family, not just for me but for yourself too." While looking at her, he asked, "Do you have any more of the drug left?"

She frowned before she shook her head.

That packet of drugs had been thrown away a long time ago. After all, her room was rarely visited by anyone; so, she imagined that the drugs were still under her bed at this moment.

On the other hand, her father was thrilled, thinking she had already used them up. "I'll have someone send you another packet soon. Remember-don't use too much at one go, or you'll be discovered." Upon having no other choice, Rachel nodded in understanding.

For now, Jefferey locked the formula for the sleeping pill inside the cabinet. With a demeanor that was completely different from how he usually treated her, he added, "Rae, you don't get to return often. You should come home with me tonight and have dinner with the family."

His change in attitude surprised her, but she surmised that it was likely because she brought up the medicine formula.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

It was only when night fell that Riverdale became a bustling city.

Inside the summer villa owned by the Burton Family at the outskirts of the city, it had been a while since Tina was summoned into the study by Jason. Clang!

The thunderous sound of porcelain being shattered rang from the study.

"Tina!" While in the living room, Lilian anxiously stood up.

"Sit down." Arthur was still holding his cane and seated unmoving on the couch with a severe expression.

Lilian's face paled, but she dared not rebel against him. "Tina is still a young kid who doesn't understand things, Dad. I'm afraid she might say something that enrages Jason so much that he'll lay a hand on her."

"You can't interfere even if he does. She is indeed the one at fault here."

"She's your most beloved granddaughter, Dad—"

"Enough!" His cane slammed once on the floorboards, interrupting her words. "Did she consider the repercussions of what she did? Clearly, I must have spoiled her too much for her to turn out so bold and lawless! How are we going to explain ourselves if the Johansson Family finds out about this?"

Lilian watched Arthur in the silence as her face became pallid.

Meanwhile, Tina was still on her knees inside the study. Her knees were already slightly bruised, but she had remained stubborn. "I take responsibility for what I did, but I'm not going to explain myself."

At this moment, Jason was so angry that he was trembling. While pointing at her nose, he yelled, "No? Tell me, then-what are you going to do about your betrothal to the Johansson Family? You've disgraced me. You've even disgraced your grandfather!"

"What's the big deal? We can just call off the engagement. I don't want to get married anymore."

"Hah! And what makes you think we'll call off the engagement just because you don't want to get married anymore? This plan was set in motion a long time ago and it's not up to you to decide whether you want to or not!"

As she turned her face away, Tina muttered, "Whatever you say."

Her recalcitrance had enraged Jason even more. "Let me tell you something, Tina Burton. I have already transferred Henry Offerman somewhere else, so don't think you'll ever see him again from today onward!"

Tina's expression immediately changed. "Where did you transfer him to?"

"That's none of your business. At any rate, it's someplace you'll never locate and if I find out that you're looking for him, I'll send him somewhere even worse and farther." "How can you do that?"

"Because I'm your father!" Jason coldly glared at Tina. "You can continue to kneel here until you finally figure things out and willingly marry into the Johansson Family." With that, he stormed out of the study without looking back.

The door slammed shut with a bang.

Upon hearing the door being locked, Tina gritted her teeth so hard that they nearly shattered before pulling her cell phone out of her pocket to call Henry. "Hello?"

The other end of the line was silent for a long time.

"Say something! My dad says he has transferred you. Where did he transfer you to?"

"We can't talk to each other again in the future, Tina."

"What?" she asked anxiously. "Where are you right now?"

"At the airport" Henry answered weakly. "Mr. Burton's men are right next to me, so I can't tell you where I'm going. The point is that I won't be able to see you again in the future. Keep your head down and don't enrage him. Live your life well."

"Wait, you're at the airport? Where are you going? I'm coming to find you." Tina immediately stood up and went to open the door, but it was locked from outside and couldn't be opened no matter what. Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Open the door! Open the f*cking door! Are you all dead?"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

From the other end of the line came the announcement to board the flight and the call ended before Tina could say anything else.

"Hello? Hello? Henry!" While still holding onto her cell phone, she finally broke down.

Deep in her heart, she wondered who had spilled the beans. How did they know to tell what had transpired to her father and her grandfather so that she would have no way of hiding the truth? There weren't many people who knew about this matter.

All of a sudden, Tina recalled the incident from the Hudson Family birthday feast a few days prior. It's her. It has to be her, that mute woman!