Patriciaâs eyes widened in disbelief. Was he risking his life for Ellinor? No way, something was fishy!
Seeing Patricia lost in her thoughts, Haillie nudged, âPatricia, why are you silent? You gotta help me out! If Theo really gets on our case, the Knotts family is done for!â
Snapping back, Patricia replied, âHaillie, itâs not that I donât want to help, but I canât! Ugh!â
Haillie was puzzled. âPatricia, how can you not help? Youâre Theoâs lifesaver, and he always listens to you!â
Patricia sighed heavily, a hint of sadness in her voice. âHaillie, you donât know whatâs been happening.
Theo no longer sees me as his lifesaver; he wonât listen to me anymoreâ¦â
Haillie was taken aback. âWhat? Howâs that possible? Everyone knows you risked your life to save Theo, even got left with infertility because of it. Does Theo deny all that? Heâs not like that!â
Patricia shed a tear. âItâs Ellinor⦠She claimed in front of Theo that she was his real lifesaver, not me.
Theo believed her and didnât regard me anymore. And today, my mom and I were kicked out of the Howard family by my grandpa and sent to live in the countryside. All thanks to Ellinor! Because of her, Iâve lost everything! Haillie, I really want to help, but I canât. Iâm sorryâ¦â
As she spoke, she started crying againâ¦
Haillie was both shocked and furious. âWhat? Ellinor managed to convince Theo she was his lifesaver.
And how did she manage to get you, whoâs always been the apple of your familyâs eye, kicked out to the countryside? How the hell did she get that much power?â
Patriciaâs tone was tinged with irony. âIf Ellinor can make my brother risk his life for her, what canât she do?â
Knowing Haillieâs protective feelings for her brother, Patricia intentionally riled her up.
Haillie complained loudly on the other end of the phone. âEllinor is a real piece of work!â
Patricia rolled her eyes before adding, âHaillie, Iâm in no position to help you now. Unless Ellinor leaves Theo, things wonât look up for usâ¦â
Haillie frowned in worry and said, âBut how can we get Ellinor to leave Theo?â
2 Patricia insinuated, âHaillie, since that driverâs been found by Theo and confessed about you, itâs only a matter of time before Theo comes to settle the score with you and the Knotts family.
But, if Ellinor were out of the picture, Theoâs heart might return to me. Then maybe I can persuade him for youâ¦â
Haillie paused for a moment, understanding Patriciaâs implication. She then seemed resolved and said, âPatricia, I know what to do! Just wait for my good news!â
With that, she hung up.
Patricia smirked, hoping Haillie would handle this more cleanly to avoid future trouble.
Xenia walked into her daughterâs room, noticing her deep in thought by the window. She approached and asked, âPatri, whatâs on your mind? Iâve got some food sent up. Come have a bite!â
Patricia snapped out of her thoughts and turned to her mother. âMom,â she said meaningfully, âdid you know my brother had a car accident yesterday?â