bChapter /bb689 /bThe bNews /bThat Broke Elsie

    Chapter b689 /bThe bNews /bThat Broke Elsie

    bElsic /bturned to run, but with her massive belly it was like carrying an extra forty bpounds /bshe bcouldn’t /bmove fast at all.

    The mop handle mmed across her back.

    She cried out, dropping the phone.

    The shopkeeper pinched the phone between alcohol wipes in disgust, then swung the mop bat /bher bagain/b. “I’ll beat you to death!”

    Elsie had no choice but to stagger away.

    She kept going until she was dizzy from hunger and exhaustion, finally copsing under a tree.

    Someone mistook her for a homeless woman and tossed her half of a leftover apple.

    Elsie didn’t care; she grabbed it and ate.

    Three months of captivity had given her nothing but slop and rotting scraps–she’d almost forgotten what fresh fruit tasted like.

    “Mom, thatdy must really be a beggar. She’s eating garbage like it’s delicious.”

    The child’s mother mped a hand over his mouth. “Don’t say things like that.”

    Still chewing, Elsie nced over at the mother and son waiting at the bus stop.

    After quieting her child, the woman went back to her phone. “Huh, the Powell Corporation just got bought out by Cooper Corp.”

    Elsie froze mid–bite, her eyes locking on the phone in the woman’s hand.

    iThe /iiPowell /iiCorporation/ii? /iiBought /iiby /iiCooper /iiCorp/ii? /i

    iImpossible/i.

    The Powell Corporation was a giant–one of Silverburgh’s pirs.

    She lunged forward and snatched the woman’s phone.

    The stench hit, and the woman screamed, tossing the phone aside before grabbing her child and running.

    “The Powell Corporation, bought iby /iCooper Corp? No… that’s impossible, impossible…” Elsie muttered, scrolling quickly.

    But there it was, sshed across the trending headlines.

    Paul had embezzledpany/funds and was under arrest for economic crimes.

    While on the run, thepanies he controlled copsed under massive debt. The Powell Corporation had dered bankruptcy and been bought by Cooper Corp, the proceeds to be used to pay off its bdebts/b.

    n

    Chapter b689 /bThe News That Broke Elle

    Elsie’s bstomach /bbdropped/b. She bkept /bbscrolling /bbinto /bthement sectionb: /b

    bI /bbalways /bthought Cooper Corp was under Powell’s heel. Didn’t expect them bto /bhave the bteeth /bbto /bswallow bPowell /bwholeb!/b”

    b“/bGood thing Cooper stepped in. Otherwise some foreignpany would’ve scooped bup /bbPowell /bbfor /bbcheap/bb. /band the locals they cheated would be left crying.”

    “With a move like this, Cooper’s winning hearts. The chamber ofmerce president’s bseat /bmight bjust/bb. /bnd in Wyatt’sp this year.”

    “People have been whispering about this for a while. Word is, Wyatt’s already cleaning bup /bhis bimage/bb. /bbSoon /bhe might be celebrated as some model businessman.

    “Ha, ssic. These rich types make their money, thenunder their reputations.”

    “Well, that’s what money gets you you decide what the public says.”

    By the time she finished reading, Elsie was shaking with rage.

    “Why?! Why is it Cooper Corp buying Powell?! Why does that cripple Wyatt bget /beverything?! Why bis /bbevery /bman Yunice chooses a sess, and every man I choose turns out worthless?!”

    Her hand trembled as she lifted the phone to smash it, but she stopped halfway.

    “Paul’s finished, but that’s fine–we’re done anyway. His downfall… maybe it’s for the best. I still have bmy /bmother, I still have Owen… yes, the Saunders family still has money. I’m still the youngdy of the houseb… /b

    Muttering to herself, she dialed Owen’s number.

    iOut /iiof /iiservice/ii. /i

    iHe /iichanged /iihis /iinumber/ii? /i

    She tried Lily’s. This time it rang, but no one answered.

    Frowning, Elsie made onest attempt–calling the Saunders family’sndline.

    Someone had to be there.

    It rang so long she nearly hung up–then clicked as the line connected.

    Elsie’s face lit up, her voice rising. “Owen! It’s me, Elsie! I’m alive! Come get me, I’ve missed you so much

    “Owen? Why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t you recognize my voice?”

    There was a pause. Then a stranger’s lightugh came through. “Elsie. You’re alive? That’s wonderful news. Owen and your mother will be… thrilled.”

    At the unfamiliar voice, Elsie went rigid. “Who are you?! What are you doing in the Saunders house.

    “Oh… I’m the new housekeeper. That’s why you don’t recognize my voice.” The voice was slow, deliberate. “You’re looking for Owen? He’s not home. He and his wife are at the hospital. I can give you the address,

    Chapter 689 The News That Broke Elsie

    “Hospital?” Elsic epted the story about a new housekeeper without question.

    Something else urred to her. “Is anyone else at home? Is that annoying Peggy there?”

    +10 Free Cons

    The voice on the other end smiled audibly. “Peggy? I’ve worked at the Saunders house for quite some time, and I’ve never heard of anyone named Peggy.”