"I taught him some manners since you clearly forgot to teach your husband how to keep his filthy hands to himself," Poppy said coolly.
Dale's face turned red with fury as Layla stared at him in confusion.
Did he hold Poppy again like last time?
When he didn't refute it, her face twisted in rage.
"I can't believe you'll stoop so low to hurt Dale just because you can't stand that he chose me over you! I mean it's not even his fault that you cheated on him and deliberately embarrassed him at the registry. Why are you so pained that he made a better decision?!"
Cheated on him? Pained? Who cheated on whom?
Poppy shook her head. She didn't even know why she was standing here listening to this. "I don't have time for this circus."
She turned and walked away, but that only made Layla angrier.
"HEY!" She screamed after her. "I'm talking to you!" But Poppy didn't stop.
Layla gritted. She was already married to Dale, but why did it always feel like she was in between some lover's quarrel?
She knew Dale has always only had eyes for Poppy, but things were different now. She was his legal wife. Poppy should be the one feeling this way!
She's going to put her in her place and teach her a lesson for trying to seduce Dale and also for hurting him!
...
Poppy walked through the hallway that led to her Father's room. Her chest tightened at the thought of facing Rowland again, but she'd come here for that reason.
Just as she was about to knock, her phone buzzed.
It was Chloe.
She answered. "Hey, can I call you—?"
"Drop everything and come to my place. Now," Chloe said urgently.
Poppy paused, confused. "What? Chloe, I'm in the middle of—"
"Poppy, please. Just come. It's important. You'll need to hear this in person."
The line went dead.
Poppy frowned and turned from the door almost immediately.
...
At Chloe's apartment...
Poppy barely knocked once before Chloe pulled the door open and dragged her in.
"You scared the life out of me on the phone..." She examined her and when she saw she was fine, she frowned. "I thought something happened!"
Chloe didn't respond. Instead, she looked inside the living room.
Poppy followed her gaze and froze.
Seated on Chloe's cream couch was an elegant woman. Her beautiful white gown flowed like water around her crossed legs, and her dark hair was pinned neatly.
Poppy's brows drew together as she stared at the familiar, yet not so familiar woman. She couldn't place it but she was sure she'd seen her before.
"Who is that?" She asked quietly.
"She's the reason I called you. She said she wanted to see you. I didn't know what to do."
Before Poppy could respond, the woman turned to them and smiled faintly. "You must be Poppy."
Poppy blinked. "And you are..."
"Florence Langford," she said smoothly. "Alaric's mother."
Poppy's stomach clenched. So this was the mother of that madman?
She could suddenly see the striking resemblance, but she looked too young!
Chloe nudged her gently. "She has been waiting for a while now. You should sit and talk."
Poppy hesitated, but eventually walked to the couch opposite Florence and sat.
The moment Chloe quietly left the room, Florence said, "You're even lovelier in person. Pictures can be quite deceiving."
Poppy was thrown off by the compliment. "Thank you, Mrs. Florence."
"You can call me mum." Florence smiled. "You're already married to my son, aren't you?"
Poppy shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "I.. don't understand how it happened. I don't remember marrying anyone, especially not your son."
"I found it strange too," Florence admitted as she toyed with her diamond bracelet. "I was shocked when the registry confirmed the details. But I've learned not to question certain things when it comes to Alaric. He's always been... unpredictable. Seeing that you came to the mansion today, I take it as a sign that you now want my interference, yes?"
Poppy frowned. Did this mean she also didn't know how they got married?
Well, it didn't matter anymore. After everything she saw today, her curiosity was gone. The only thing that mattered was breaking free.
"I didn't go to the mansion today because of whatever you think this is." Florence raised a brow. "I went there to ask your son for a divorce but he almost ran me over. If they hadn't pulled him back, I'd have been in the hospital now."
Florence closed her eyes briefly. "That sounds like Alaric. He gets enthusiastic."
Poppy frowned. Enthusiastic? He's insane!
"I'll get to the point," She continued. "Whatever you saw today, however he acted, none of it changes the fact that you are legally his wife."
"That's exactly why I need a divorce, Mrs. Langford," Poppy said sharply, but Florence looked rather displeased by what she said.
"What if I make you an offer? Will that change your mind?"
Poppy said nothing. Nothing could change her mind from getting a divorce from Alaric.
But she was curious about the proposal.
"Stay married to Alaric. You don't have to love him. You don't even have to talk to him if you want. All I ask is that you bear an heir and in return, you get our name, our protection, and fifty million dollars monthly. After that, you're free to go."
Poppy went speechless. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me, dear."
Poppy slowly stood from the couch. "Let me see if I understand you correctly. You want me to stay married to your son and breed him a baby. Are you serious right now?"
Florence didn't look away. "I am very serious."
"Do I look like a surrogate?"
"You're not a surrogate, dear. You'll just be fulfilling your duties as a wife."
Poppy gritted. Before she could speak, Chloe walked back into the room. She had been eavesdropping on their conversation. "Do you need help?"
"No," Poppy said sharply. "She's leaving already."
Florence smiled. She pulled out a black card from her purse and placed it on the table. "Think about it, Poppy. I'll be waiting for your call."
"There's no need to wait, Mrs. Langford. I'm not doing it. I hope we never meet again!"
Florence only smiled and walked out of the apartment.
...
The next day, Poppy was woken up by her phone that rang continuously.
She'd passed the night at Chloe's and decided to spend a couple of days here while she sorted her apartment's issue.
Annoyed, "What?!" she snapped, not even checking the caller ID. But the moment she pressed the phone to her ear, her eyes flew open.
"Miss Poppy! I've been trying to reach you!"
She recognized the voice instantly. It was Sophie, her assistant. But she sounded panicked and breathless.
Poppy sat up straight in bed. "I'm sorry. I must've—what happened? Is everything okay?"
There was a brief pause on the other end, then Sophie's voice dropped, almost like she didn't know how to say it.
"Why is Dale getting married to Layla?"
Poppy frowned. "How do you know about that?"
"It's everywhere, Miss Poppy. Social media is on fire. They posted photos, videos… it's trending. They even showed up at the office together. With your father."
Poppy's fingers curled around the phone. Her blood boiled.
"But that's not the worst part," Sophie added quickly. "There's an emergency board meeting happening right now. Why didn't you show up?"
"What board meeting…? I wasn't informed."
Dead silence followed, before Sophie said in a whisper. "Miss Poppy… I think they're trying to push you out!"