Revenge: Once His Wife, Now His Regret - Chapter 74: Chapter 74

"Don't make me hit you!" Elise seethed.
"Hit me in front of all these people?" Carlos said, a smirk playing on his lips. "You'd not only have to apologize, but you'd probably end up in a cop car. Not exactly a win for you, huh?"
Elise shot him a glare. "Where did Sally dig you up? You're nothing but a good-looking face, utterly useless otherwise."
Carlos wagged a finger at her. "Nope. Besides being good-looking, I'm a decent doctor, and I've got a sharp tongue—the kind that can verbally flay someone. So, you really don't want to mess with me."
Elise trembled with rage. "You just wait!"
Carlos ignored her, leaning against the clinic's doorframe, a satisfied look on his face as he watched the scene unfold.
Sally finished work a little after eight in the evening.
As she was about to head home, Lillian's homeroom teacher, Ms. Campos, called with an update on Lillian.
Apparently, the girl hadn't been eating much at school and was quite subdued. Ms. Campos urged Sally to keep a closer eye on her.
Sally agreed and quickly ended the call.
By the time she got home, it was nine o'clock.
When she peeked into Lillian's room, the girl was sound asleep.
"So? Is she asleep?" Abigail's curious voice came from behind her.
Sally quickly closed the front door and turned to Abigail. "Yeah, out like a light."
"She seemed a little better today when she got back from school, compared to the last couple of days." Abigail said.
"But her teacher said she's barely eating at school and isn't very active. She asked us to pay more attention to her." Sally sighed.
"Okay." Abigail patted her back reassuringly. "We'll take her out somewhere fun, talk things through gently. She'll come around."
"Yeah." Sally seemed to recall something. "I have to go to the Zale family estate tomorrow night. Lillian will be with you. I'll probably be back really late, or maybe not at all."
"The Zale estate again? Has Howard's condition gotten worse?" Abigail looked at her, curious and a little puzzled.
Sally shook her head. "No, it's his birthday tomorrow. The Zales are throwing a big party for him. Jaxon is worried something might happen, so he wants me there to keep an eye on things."
Abigail frowned slightly. "So, you're basically going as his personal doctor... "
Sally smiled faintly. "You could say that."
She hadn't told anyone about her deal with Jaxon, not even Abigail.
Abigail said softly, "Well, don't worry about a thing. I'll take care of Lillian."
"Thanks." Sally said.
Since she wouldn't have time to come back and change before heading to the estate the next day, Sally had already picked out a slim-fitting white strapless evening gown and took it with her to the clinic.
As evening approached, she arrived at the Zale family estate on time.
The estate was perched halfway up a hill, the sole residence in the area, with a massive courtyard easily capable of accommodating twenty or thirty banquet tables.
A carpet stretched from the courtyard entrance all the way to the main door of the villa. Tables and chairs for the banquet were already set up, complete with drinks and hors d'oeuvres, and many guests had already taken their seats.
Since Sally and Brad weren't officially divorced yet, Brad wouldn't dare bring Lena in openly at such a grand event.
As Sally reached the entrance, she saw Lena and Elise getting out of a car together.
Sally's eyes met Elise's, and she saw a hatred so intense it seemed to burn in her gaze.
Sally merely glanced at her coolly before shifting her attention to Lena.
Lena, in a flowing pale blue gown that complemented her ash-blonde hair, her makeup sophisticated and flawless, held Sally's gaze for a few seconds, then walked towards her.
"Mrs. Zale, I really didn't expect to see you here." Lena said.
Sally, in her white strapless gown, had a subtle makeup look that highlighted her sharp features and cool, collected aura, a perfect match for her sophisticated style. She possessed a quiet, captivating beauty.
"Brad and I aren't divorced yet. Isn't it perfectly natural for me to attend his grandfather's birthday party?" Sally's tone was icy. "On the other hand, Miss Yasmin, Mr. Zale hasn't exactly put a ring on it. What gives you the right to be at Howard Zale's birthday?"
"Brad personally invited us. Got a problem with that?" Elise cut in before Lena could even respond.
"What objection could I possibly have?" Sally curved her lips into a faint smile. "All guests are welcome. After all, I'm still technically part of the Zale family. Welcome to you both." She let the words hang in the air.
This was the entrance, with guests constantly coming and going; hardly the place for a private conversation.
Sally didn't linger and walked ahead.
Elise seethed, "Lena, look at her, so smug! It's infuriating!"
Lena glanced at Sally's retreating figure, her eyes darkening. She turned to Elise. "Are you sure Connor is coming tonight?"
Elise nodded without hesitation. "Absolutely!"
"Is everything ready?" Lena asked.
"All set." Elise lowered her voice, leaning close to Lena's ear. "If Howard finds out his granddaughter-in-law is sleeping with his younger son's best friend, he'll definitely grant them a divorce. Then, your entry into the Zale family will be a sure thing. We'll settle old scores and new ones tonight.
"The house Sally's renting is in Connor's name. That proves they've been seeing each other on the sly. Even if they get caught, no one will suspect us. They'll just assume it was mutual, a secret affair that's been going on for ages."
A small smile played on Lena's lips as she listened.
"Lena, what are you two talking about?"
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind them. Lena flinched, startled.
"What's wrong?" Brad Zale's voice was deep. "You look pale."
Elise reacted instantly. "We just ran into Mrs. Zale at the entrance. She might have said a few unpleasant things that upset Lena."
Lena met Elise's eyes and gave a small, satisfied smile.
"Don't pay her any mind," Brad said. "Just enjoy yourself tonight."
Lena leaned into him instinctively. "Okay."
"Mr. Zale is back too? That must be his car, right?" a guest's voice drew everyone's attention.
Everyone turned to look back.