Second Marriage to Mr. Rich (Ned Fletcher)

Chapter 19

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Ned’s frown deepened at Tommy’s words. He flicked his cigarette, looking impatient.

“If not for you plastering Angeline’s photos all over Oceanford College to threaten Ingrid not to leave without a word, we probably wouldn’t be able to find her now,” Tommy said.

The tree leaves rustled in the night breeze. Some loose strands of Angeline’s hair fluttered as well, blocking her vision. It was hard to discern the look in her eyes.

Angeline clutched her phone tightly. Her eyes burned with unshed tears. So, that was why Ned had plastered photos of her all over Oceanford College. He was using her to threaten Ingrid. How ridiculous.

“What exactly are you getting at?” Ned asked impatiently.

Tommy stubbed out his cigarette and leaned close to Ned. “Though you swore nothing happened between you and Angeline that night, it’s still a thorn in Ingrid’s side. I bet it makes you uneasy, too.”

Ned’s

eyes darkened at having his sore spot prodded at. “So?”

3

“I bet Angeline will call you soon to speak up for that York woman. When she does, you can invite her out–give her a taste of her own medicine. Drug her with the same thing you laced your drink

with!

“Zachary Stone likes her, doesn’t he? We can take this opportunity to make his wish come true. As long as he can prove Angeline’s a virgin, Ingrid won’t have anything to be worried about. And even if something did happen between you two that night… 1

“Zachary will be grateful to you for making his wish come true. He’ll do anything for you. Let’s say Angeline agreeing to the divorce was just part of her plan to win you back. She won’t have the nerve to pester you after sleeping with another man, will she? It’s the perfect chance to rid yourself of her.

At Ned’s silence, Tommy chuckled. “Don’t tell me you’re reluctant to do it because you still have feelings for her, Ned.”

“Is that all the crap you can come up with?” Ned tugged at his collar.

“Do as I say, then! Look the last time you listened to me and plastered Angeline’s photos everywhere, you managed to make Ingrid stay. Listen to me this time, and I guarantee she’ll agree to marry you!”

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As soon as the words were out of Tommy’s mouth, Ned’s phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at it. Then, he answered it and turned to head into the building, sounding gentle as he said, “You’re awake, baby? No, I didn’t go far. I was smoking with Tommy. I’ll be back right now!”

Angeline watched as Ned hurried away. She no longer had the strength to run after him to explain herself. She removed the familiar phone number she’d typed out earlier and put her phone into her pocket. Then, she sat silently on the bench, almost burying her face in her scarf.

She didn’t know how long she sat there, but it was long enough for the chilliness to travel. from her ankles to her calves. The clenched fists she’d tucked into her pockets gradually loosened. Then, she pulled out her phone and called Ned.

Angeline was still holding out a shred of hope for Ned’s conscience.

“What is it?” he asked in a lowered voice. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“I went to see Anne. She came to Oceanford because Benjamin wanted my grandfather’s number so he could demand he pay for some wedding gifts. Anne doesn’t know my

grandfather’s number, nor did she want to give it to him.

“That’s why Benjamin and the rest of the Emmersons went on ‘The Family Search‘ to track the Lawsons down. The program’s crew invited Anne to Oceanford; she ran into you at the airport by coincidence and wanted to speak to you.

“But when she was trying to make her way through the crowd, someone pushed her, making her ram into Ms. Dalton. You can dig all of this up by checking the airport’s surveillance footage and verifying things with the program’s crew,” Angeline said.

“Are you pleading for mercy on your adoptive mother’s behalf?” Ned asked.