Poppy also frowned on seeing James, but his frown dissolved when the Old woman's eyes fell on him.
"Good morning, Granny."
"You're up early," Old Mrs. Langford said lazily.
"Ah... Yes, Granny. I have an appointment to keep."
The Old woman raised a brow.
"Actually, It's for Sarah. Her doctor asked her to come in this morning for a checkup and I have to be there with her. I came to get your permission to let her go for a few hours."
Her eyes drifted to Sarah's flat stomach for a fleeting second before returning to her plate. "Have you spoken to your Uncle's wife?"
James's jaw tightened. "I—"
"It's all up to her to grant you that permission. You haven't forgotten your punishment, have you?"
James stiffened but quickly forced a charming smile. "Not at all, Granny. In fact, I was just looking for her. Who would've thought she was enjoying breakfast with you?"
The Old woman said nothing and kept eating.
James's jaw ticked as he turned to Poppy. To him, women were simple things. They were dolls you could easily buy, adore, and discard when they lost their shine.
Beg a woman? What puppet master begs its puppet? Even worse, the stubborn one who dared laid her hands on him?
It brought an undescribable rage within him.
But right now, he had no choice. There was something important he had to take care of.
He inhaled sharply. "Mrs. Bella… would you be kind enough to let me take the day off?" He strained.
For the first time today, the corner of Poppy's lips twitched. She'd lived with James long enough to know how proudful he was, so she knew he was struggling.
"A full day? Do you plan on getting another job after your appointment?"
"You—!" James flared, pointing a trembling finger at her.
Poppy didn't even blink. "I mean, you only need a few hours, don't you? Why take an entire day? What if I need to go out? You haven't even started working, and you're already asking for time off."
Surprisingly, the Old woman's lips curved slightly. Poppy was starting to interest her. "Take permission for a few hours only. Return immediately after."
"Of course, Granny," he said through clenched teeth.
"Good."
Beside him, Sarah's knuckles turned white from clenching her fists too tight. She couldn't stand Poppy anymore.
'She came in just yesterday yet she's acting all high and mighty,' she thought grudgingly.
It seems she kept forgetting her place was with the mad man upstairs.
She had to remind her!
"Regardless, you'll have to work overtime for a few days to make up for this absence," Poppy said calmly.
James's face turned red with anger. This girl was starting to piss him off!
"Sure," he said tightly. "We'll be quick, Granny."
As they left, Poppy's hand tightened around her napkin. For weird reasons, something just didn't feel right.
When they disappeared through the garden path, she quietly set her fork down. "Excuse me."
Old Mrs. Langford didn't even look up. "If you plan to run again, aim for the east side this time. The dogs like a challenge."
"I... just need some air."
When the Old woman said nothing, she stood up and slipped away, following James and Sarah's path.
The moment she left, the Old woman looked at Liam.
"She really spent the night with Mr. Alaric, Old Mrs. Langford," he confirmed.
The Old woman frowned. "Did something happen between them or was he knocked out by the drug?"
"Lydia wasn't sure about that information. But she did say something weird."
She raised a brow.
"She attacked Mr. Alaric instead this morning."
The Old woman fell speechless.
...
Poppy finally heard the faint sounds of James and Sarah's voices toward the driveway.
She crouched behind the hedges near the black Chevrolet. From her hiding spot, she could see them faintly as they stood beside the car.
Sarah nervously asked, "Do we... really have to do it today?"
"Yes," James hissed. "The body's been kept long enough. We'll do it quietly in the crematorium, just as we planned before word gets out. No one has to know."
Poppy's breath hitched. She gripped the hedge tighter, and her heart raced so fast she thought it might burst.
What body were they talking about?!
Was it—?!
She exhaled shakily, afraid accepting it may somehow make it a reality.
Sarah ran a hand through her hair. "Are you sure the Old woman won't find out? We're taking a big risk by doing this in the family's funeral home."
James frowned. "My mother will take care of this. Don't worry too much about it."
Just then, his phone beeped. Whatever he saw made him frown. Slipping the phone into his pocket, "Let's go. She's not going with us," he said.
Sarah nodded, and they entered the car.
As they drove off, Poppy's knees weakened.
She had to follow them!
-----------
Poppy sat in the backseat of a car, staring into nothing. Her fingers dug into her knees, and her lips trembled faintly.
"Mrs. Langford…! Mrs. Langford!"
Slowly, her blurry gaze refocused on the driver watching her through the rearview mirror.
She blinked. "Ah… yes?"
"Are you okay? We lost you for a second."
Poppy followed the voice to Liam, who was twisted halfway in his seat, looking at her suspiciously.
Forcing a smile, she replied, "I'm fine. Just… What were you saying?"
"Where are we going, Mrs. Langford?" the middle-aged driver repeated gently.
Poppy inhaled deeply to steady herself as she collected her thoughts.
She was supposed to follow James and Sarah earlier. She'd planned to slip away and call a cab, but in this massive private estate, no cab could enter. Walking out was humanly impossible too; the estate was practically a small city.
So she'd swallowed her pride and asked Old Mrs. Langford for a ride. The old woman agreed, but on the condition that Liam must escort her.
She knew Liam was here to monitor her but she was desperate enough to risk it. She'd figure out how to handle the situation later.
"Mrs. Langford?" the driver called again.
Poppy snapped back, her cheeks warming in embarrassment. "I-I'm sorry... 1st Ave," she said.
The Langfords were one of the prominent families in the city. For years they've kept a low profile, but they were still certain information on some assets and owned properties, and Poppy managed to get hold of the needed one.
Liam's eyes darkened with suspicion. The only property on 1st Ave was the Langford's funeral home.
Why was she going there?
He didn't trust her for even a second… but he kept quiet. Whatever she was planning, he would find out.
They drove off.
The moment they arrived at the estate, Poppy's eyes darted around wildly, scanning every corner for the car James and Sarah had used, but she couldn't find it.
"How much further, Mrs. Langford?" the driver asked as they drove deeper inside.
"Just… a little more," she replied, even though she had no idea where she was going.
She was seconds away from giving up when she spotted the familiar black car parked at the far, isolated end of the estate, right beside a massive concrete facility.
Liam's eyes sharpened when he saw the car too.
Why was James here?! Shouldn't he be at the hospital?!
He frowned. Whatever James was doing… it wasn't good.
"Please stop," Poppy's soft voice dragged him out of his thoughts.
The car halted, and Liam turned to her sharply. First James came here, and now Poppy?
Something wasn't right!
"Why are we here, Mrs. Langford?"
Poppy froze.