Chapter 9
Elise pressed her fingers to her forehead, looking a little helpless.
She knew Dorothea wouldn’t back down about Cloudhaven Lane, so she tried again, keeping her tone patient. “Carola, there are so many beautiful villas out there. I’ll go with you to pick a new one, okay? I just want you to have the best. That’s all p>
Carola’s smile faded. “Mom, did Dorothea talk to you? I’m not moving. I want Cloudhaven Lane p>
Elise hesitated, her voice gentle, trying to soothe her. “Dorothea did ask for Cloudhaven Lane. After all, it’s the villa her father left behind. Carola, that place is old and run-down. Letting her have it isn’t a big deal p>
Alonzo came down the stairs just in time to hear this, and let out a cold snort. “Mom, since when did Dorothea get so greedy? I told you she’s got a calculating mind. You really should keep your distance p>
Alonzo was Elise’s son from her second marriage, and he was always closer to Carola. He’d never liked Dorothea.
Dorothea had been the target of Alonzo’s pranks more times than she could count. Every time, Elise just told Dorothea to be the bigger person.
Eventually, Dorothea stopped visiting the Brown Estate and chose to stay with her grandparents instead.
Elise frowned. “Alonzo, she’s still your sister. Don’t talk about her that way p>
Alonzo just scoffed, not the least bit bothered. “Doesn’t matter. Dorothea isn’t taking what belongs to Carola p>
Layton, who had been quiet until now, shot Alonzo a warning look, then spoke up. “That’s enough. Cloudhaven Lane belongs to your mother and her ex-husband. We don’t want it. Carola, I’ll buy you an even bigger villa. Be good p>
Layton’s word was final.
He wasn’t taking Dorothea’s side. He just didn’t want any trouble with the marriage alliance he’d arranged.
Carola bit her lip, feeling so wronged she wanted to cry.
This was all Dorothea’s fault.
But once her father made a decision, there was no changing it.
Even so, Carola couldn’t let this go.
The first thing Dorothea did after quitting her job was claim what her mother had promised her.
She even hired three movers to help. But as soon as she arrived at Cloudhaven Lane she spotted Alice, the caretaker, looking flustered.
Alice had been managing the villa by herself all this time.
“Alice, I’ll be living here from now on. I’m here today to clear out my things p>
Alice’s face was full of worry. “Dorothea, Carola’s here too. Maybe you should come back another day p>
Dorothea’s lips twisted in a mocking smile. “So what if she’s here p>
icy.
She caught sight of that familiar Bentley in the driveway and her expression grew
Ignoring Alice’s protests, she headed straight inside.
Cloudhaven Lane barely resembled the place she remembered. Carola had redecorated everything,
cluttering it with her own thelbet
Dorothea glanced up at the second floor, took a deep breath, and climbed the stairs
one step at a time.
As she neared her old bedroom, she heard a soft, breathy moan.
“Albert, it hurts, be gentle p>
Dorothea balled her hands into fists.
Without a word, she turned to the bathroom next door, filled a bucket with water, and walked back to her bedroom.
She kicked the door open.
Without hesitation, she strode over to the half-dressed couple and dumped the
water over them.
“Get off my bed p>