Jessica responded to Ryan’s accusations with a derisive snort, her expression one of amusement, as if she’d just heard a ridiculous joke. “Oh, really? Then by all means, tell everyone. See if I care.”
Her unflappable confidence deepened the frown on Ryan’s face.
After a moment, he chuckled darkly, a new edge to his tone. “Fine! You might not care about being called a liar, but what about the scandal of seducing a married man?”
Jessica raised an eyebrow, her tone playful and teasing. “A married man? Are you referring to… Ethan?”
Ryan pounced, his response immediate. “So you admit it!”
Unbeknownst to them, their heated exchange had caught the attention of a middle-aged woman nearby. She had been quietly listening, her sharp gaze narrowing at the mention of Ethan. A spark of intrigue flickered in her eyes before she discreetly stepped away, heading toward a private room at the end of the hallway.
As she entered, a cheerful voice greeted her. “Mrs. Sugden, you’re late! You owe us three drinks as a penalty!”
The room was filled with affluent women, each a notable figure in high society.
Tessa Sugden grinned as she took her seat. “Apologies, ladies. I was delayed by some very interesting gossip I overheard at the door!”
The chatter in the room immediately quieted, all eyes turning toward her.
“What kind of gossip?” one woman asked eagerly, leaning forward with interest.
Tessa smoothed back her perfectly styled hair, her smile widening as she directed her next words toward a particular individual. “This bit of gossip involves… Mrs. Thomas.”
The focus of the room shifted instantly to Abigail, who sat gracefully among the group. Her expression remained composed as she lazily lifted her gaze. “Oh? Something about me?”
Tessa nodded with exaggerated enthusiasm. “Indeed. It concerns you and Mr. Thomas’s goddaughter, Belinie.”
“What about Belinie?” Liam, seated beside Abigail, cut in sharply. His tone was protective, and his piercing gaze added weight to his question.
The room’s collective attention turned to Tessa, the anticipation almost palpable.
Tessa relished the moment, sitting up straighter as a sly smile curled her lips. “I spoke to Ryan Adams, who shared something fascinating. His aunt’s husband—the chief physician at the Cardiac Surgery Department of Grand Plains General Hospital—revealed that there’s no doctor, intern, or nurse with the surname Thomas or the name Belinie working there. However,” she added dramatically, “there is a caregiver with the last name Thomas. Could that be your goddaughter, Mrs. Thomas?”
Gasps rippled through the room.
“A caregiver? That can’t possibly be true!” one woman exclaimed in disbelief.
“Absolutely not! That’s absurd!” another chimed in, though the gleam of curiosity in her eyes betrayed her delight in the unfolding scandal.
Tessa nodded, her confidence growing. “I overheard this directly in the hallway,” she declared.
Her words carried more than mere gossip; they dripped with malice. Tessa had long harbored resentment toward Abigail, envying her marriage to Nathaniel Cooper, the head of the prestigious Thomas family. Her jealousy was compounded by her own struggles with infertility, which had driven a wedge between her and her husband. This moment was a golden opportunity to tarnish Abigail’s spotless reputation, and Tessa wasn’t about to let it slip away.
Despite Tessa’s pointed accusations, Abigail and Liam remained outwardly calm, their expressions unreadable.
Feigning innocence, Tessa turned her attention back to Abigail, her voice oozing false concern. “Mrs. Thomas, surely you can explain this? Of course, I would never suggest any dishonesty from you or Mr. Thomas, but… could it be that your goddaughter has misled you?”
She let out a soft, insincere laugh before continuing. “Perhaps she’s been less than truthful about her position.”
Before Abigail could respond, Liam’s voice cut through the room with firm authority. “Belinie has been truthful. She started at the Cardiac Surgery Department at Grand Plains General Hospital today.”
Tessa placed a hand over her mouth, her expression mockingly surprised. “How curious! If that’s the case, why would the chief physician claim otherwise? Mr. Thomas, it seems unwise to place such blind trust in her.”
Her tone turned conspiratorial as she added, “I fear her intentions may not be entirely honorable.”
At this, Abigail’s expression hardened, her eyes narrowing dangerously. When she spoke, her voice was like ice. “Mrs. Sugden, I suggest you tread carefully with your accusations.”
Feigning distress, Tessa quickly replied, “Oh, Mrs. Thomas, please don’t take offense! I’m merely relaying what I heard. And, as if that weren’t enough, just before I arrived, Ryan mentioned that your goddaughter has been involved with a married man!”
Her words hung in the air like a thundercloud, the room falling into a tense silence as all eyes turned to Abigail and Liam, awaiting their response.