A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 982

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"Well, the woman actually has to want to be with him," Romy pointed out. "Otherwise, he's just stealing an empty shell, right?"

Starla arched an eyebrow. *As if Yardley cares about that.*

To a man like him, consent was entirely irrelevant. If he wanted a woman, he wouldn't tolerate her marrying someone else. He would trap her by his side, even if she were nothing but a soulless husk.

Her thoughts drifted to Susanna Yelchin. Yardley had kept Susanna imprisoned in his orbit for ages. Susanna despised him, throwing fits, attempting to run away, and even trying to end her own life to escape his clutches. It was glaringly obvious she couldn't stand him. Yet, Yardley hadn't let her go.

It was a complete waste of his aristocratic, handsome face. It seemed no woman actually wanted him. Clearly, the problem wasn't the women—it was *him*. Nobody liked him. Even his own sister despised him.

"If Amos is going after Licht tonight," Starla mused, getting back on track, "then Yardley is definitely going to try and blindside him."

"Absolutely," Romy agreed. "For years, no matter what our boss tries to do, your brother always throws a wrench in his plans." It was practically routine at this point.

"He is *not* my brother!" Starla snapped. Hearing Romy casually refer to Yardley as her family struck a nerve.

If Yardley were a real brother, he wouldn't have done such despicable things. He had literally been willing to trade her life—his own flesh and blood—for his political ambitions. If he treated his sister as collateral, how would he treat a woman he claimed to love? It was no wonder he was so universally despised.