Chapter 281
After Mitchell hung up the phone, the fog in his mind began to lift.
Earlier, in a drunken stupor, he’d snatched his assistant’s phone and called Effie over and over. She hadn’t answered once.
He’d assumed she’d blocked his assistant’s number too.
Just as he was about to give up, the call finally connected. The strained voice on the other end told him Effie was at the police station.
At first, he thought it was some scam. But when he asked again and heard the same reply, a chill shot through him. Sobriety slammed into him like a wave.
He stumbled to the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. The shock of it cleared his head even more.
“I need to go home!”
All he could think about was helping Effie. No matter what, he had to get her out of trouble.
When Mitchell arrived home, Adeline and Suzan were lounging in the living room, eating Truffle Chocolate and watching TV.
“Suzan, have some more,” Adeline coaxed warmly. “I had this special dessert
flown in today-it’s wonderful for your health. Eat more.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Foster,” Suzan replied sweetly, obedient as ever.
Just then, Mitchell burst in, stumbling over himself. “Mom!”
Adeline and Suzan jumped, startled. For a moment, they thought he’d been attacked or was hurt.
But the heavy stench of alcohol gave him away. Adeline’s expression changed; she realized he’d been out drinking-again.
Lately, Mitchell had been acting out of control. Day and night, he drowned himself in liquor, drank until he blacked out, and neglected everything else. No amount of scolding or questioning could get through to him.
But Adeline wasn’t blind-she knew exactly why Mitchell was losing his mind.
What she couldn’t understand was what on earth Effie had that made Mitchell so obsessed, so utterly devoted.
Mitchell rushed up to her, panic in his eyes. “Mom, where’s Director Nichols’s number? I need it.”
Adeline’s face hardened. She tensed, her voice sharp. “Why do you need Director Nichols’s number? What have you done now?”
Director Nichols was Adeline’s trump card-her last resort. They’d grown up together, childhood sweethearts, almost engaged before fate intervened. In the end, he married his boss’s daughter and climbed the social ladder.
Out of guilt for betraying Adeline, Director Nichols had once promised her that if she ever needed help, anything at all, he’d do it—no questions asked. But the promise was good for only one favor. Once used, it would never be offered again. Adeline had always kept this in her back pocket, waiting for the right moment. Mitchell only knew about it because she’d let it slip once, by accident.
She’d made it clear: unless it was a matter of absolute necessity, she would never call in that favor.
So for Mitchell to bring it up now meant only one thing-something truly serious had happened.
“It’s not for me—it’s for Effie. She’s been arrested. They’re saying it’s assault.”
The words tumbled out, and Adeline let out a slow breath, half relieved, but immediately her eyes turned cold. “Use my one chance to help that woman? Absolutely not!”
Without hesitation, Mitchell dropped to his knees in front of her-the first time in his life he’d ever done so. “Mom, Effie’s gotten on the wrong side of the Ames family. Without Director Nichols, she might never get out.”
“Get up!” Adeline snapped. “You’ve lost your mind over that woman, and now you’re groveling to me? She has nothing to do with you anymore. I will not waste my one chance on her!”