Xenia was taken aback, and she started to question, âBalfour had a car accident? Whatâs the deal? He didnât seem to come home last night. Was it because of the accident?â
Patricia squinted her eyes, showing a crafty smirk, âMaybe! He probably didnât want to cause concern for Grandpa and Grandma, so he didnât come home.â
Xenia didnât have any affection for her stepson Balfour, and he didnât respect her much either. If he bit the dust because of the accident, she wouldnât bat an eyelid, and she might even be glad.
Only if Balfour kicked the bucket could Byran take the reins of the Howard Group. Once Byran became the inheritor of the Howard Group, she wouldnât need to kiss anyoneâs ass in the Howard family anymore.
Patricia in reality, didnât care much about Balfourâs fate either. She knew since she was a kid that Balfourâs attraction to her was only because she reminded him of Pearl Howard, something she had to scheme hard to achieve.
She was pondering something else, or rather, a possibilityâ¦
âMom, do you know how my bro got into this accident?â
Xenia replied nonchalantly, I couldnât care less how he got into the accident! He doesnât treat you well anymore anyway, Patri. Why are you still worrying about him? Just forget him.â
Patricia shook her head, âNo, Iâm not worrying about him. Iâm suspecting something.â
Xenia was taken aback, âWhatâs that?â
Patricia explained, âYesterday, a car almost hit Ellinor, and my bro got injured trying to protect her.â
Xenia found it unbelievable, âBalfour risked his life for Ellinor?â
Patriciaâs eyes darkened, âRight? Mom, you find it weird too, right? How can my coldâhearted bro risk his life for a woman?â
Xenia didnât understand Patriciaâs real concern and just said disdainfully, âIsnât it because Ellinor knows how to lead men by the nose? Even your bro couldnât escape her charm!â
Patricia furrowed her brows, âNo! My brotherâs feelings for Ellinor definitely arenât romantic!â
Xenia asked in confusion, âIf itâs not romantic, then what is it? Isnât that all there is between a man and a woman?â
Patricia looked at her mother seriously and speculated cautiously, âIf my brother had romantic feelings for Ellinor, then he should be disgusted by Ellinor being with Theo, right? But he didnât show any signs of jealousy. Instead, he was very concerned about Ellinor and was even nicer to Theo⦠Mom, donât you think itâs weird? It totally defies logic!â
Xenia found her daughterâs speculation reasonable and nodded, âHmm, now that you mention it, it does make sense! Patri, what kind of feelings do you suspect your bro has for Ellinor now?â
Patricia was silent for a few seconds, and then she voiced the possibility she least wanted to face, âMom, do you think Ellinor could be the longâlost Pearl? In this world, isnât Pearl the only one who could make my bro take risks?â
At the mention of the name Pearl, Xeniaâs face turned serious immediately. What she had been most worried about these years was that the missing Marlinie would come back with her daughter, Pearl.
âIs that possible?*