CHAPTER 45: WILLFULLY STUPID

Night settled over one of the upscale neighborhoods in New York’s borough like a slow-pouring ink. The sky deepened to a velvet blue, scattered with diamond-bright stars that glittered against the hush of late evening. A thin crescent moon hung above the treetops, silvering the manicured lawns of the Winford estate. Earlier in the day the mansion had been a hornet’s nest—an unexpected visitor, raised voices, even a slap that still lingered. Now it stood quiet again.

The silence broke with the low hum of engines. Two black sedans glided up the private drive, their headlights cutting through the darkness. At the wrought-iron gate, motion sensors blinked and the gates swung open with a smooth mechanical sigh, allowing the cars to roll across the wide courtyard.

The first car eased to a stop beneath the portico. The driver’s door opened and a uniformed chauffeur stepped out briskly, pulling open the rear door. David Wrenford emerged first, tall and broad-shouldered, the years etched in the set of his jaw. At his side, his eldest son Shane followed, matching his father’s stride, his expression blank.

Behind them, the second sedan halted. Leander barely waited for the door to open before striding toward his father, a grin splitting his face.

"Hi, Dad—it’s been a while." His voice rang warm in the crisp night air.

David’s stern features softened as he embraced his younger son, patting his back with a rare gentleness. "Leander," he said, pulling away with a small smile before glancing toward the grand double doors. He shifted his gaze to Shane, who stood a step behind, silent as stone. "Let’s go in. Your mother and sisters must be waiting."

Shane answered with a curt nod. Leander fell into step beside them, words spilling out with his usual easy charm.

"You bet. Ever since you called, Mom’s been preparing like crazy. When she phoned me to wait for you at the airport, I almost didn’t believe her. But I’m glad you’re back, Dad. Sierra’s missed you a lot." He shot a sideways glance at his brother, his grin sharpening. "You too, Shane."

Shane only gave a noncommittal hum, not bothering to reply. He knew better than to feed the rivalry Leander always thought was between them.

The three men climbed the marble steps, the front door looming before them. Leander reached it first, pushing it open with a flourish. Warm light and the faint scent of jasmine spilled into the night.

"Darling, you’re back!"

The welcoming cry rang from the foyer, bright and eager, cutting through the serenity of the evening because all the servants inside the mansion had been ordered to retire.

Selena hurried forward and wrapped her arms around her husband. "You’re finally back. I’ve missed you—we’ve all missed you so much."

David exhaled, pulling her into a firm embrace. "Yes. This trip took longer than expected. I missed you too."

Selena pulled away and turned to Shane, hugging him briefly. "Shane."

"Mom."

Knowing her eldest son disliked excessive contact, she released him quickly and scanned him from head to toe. Only when she confirmed he was merely exhausted from the flight did she step back, smiling with relief. "I’m so happy to have you all back home."

David glanced past her and spotted Sierra standing a few feet away, smiling—a smile a shade too stiff for him to notice. He raised a brow. "Won’t you come and hug me? Are you just going to stand there? Don’t you miss me?"

Sierra’s smile softened as she rushed forward and hugged him tightly, her voice small and plaintive. "Dad, I’ve missed you so much! You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for you and Shane to return. I pestered Mom so much she almost hit me."

David chuckled. "Dad missed you too."

After the brief reunion, Selena stepped in, helping her husband remove his coat and jacket. "You must all be tired from the flight—Leander too. Go freshen up. I personally prepared dinner tonight, so come downstairs when you—"

David, having looked around the room and not seeing the person he was looking for, frowned. "Where’s Erisia? Is she in her room? Doesn’t she know we’ve arrived?"

For the first time, Shane spoke more than a single word. "Yes, where is she? Why hasn’t she come down?"

Selena froze at the double question, caught off guard. Sierra stiffened as well, Erisia’s warning from that night echoing in her head: When Mr. Wrenford and your eldest brother arrive, I won’t hold back. That’s a promise.

Leander’s expression darkened.

Noticing their reactions, David’s frown deepened. "Is she sick?"

Silence.

"Why aren’t you answering me?" His tone turned questioning, irritation rising. Everyone in the house knew how he got when his time was wasted.

Thinking it was Erisia’s absence that had already upset him, Selena’s dislike for the girl flared hotter. She forced a smile and stepped closer to her husband. "Darling, why get upset? You just returned; don’t let your mood be spoiled. Anyway, Erisia isn’t home and—"

"What?" David’s voice snapped, cutting her off. "Didn’t she know I was coming back tonight? You didn’t inform her?"

Selena rolled her eyes. "Inform someone who isn’t around? She hasn’t been home for days, and honestly, it’s better if she doesn’t come back."

David’s gaze hardened. "What are you saying, Selena? Why hasn’t she been home?"

He turned to Sierra and Leander. "Did either of you tell her?"

No one spoke.

"Answer me!" His voice boomed, echoing through the foyer.

Sierra flinched. Selena’s face tightened in displeasure. Shane, too, turned to their mother. "What happened, Mom?"

Sierra glanced at their faces David’s eyes were filled with suspicion, brows drawn tight. Shane was cool but watchful. Leander’s jaw was clenched, annoyance flickering in his eyes. Selena smiled thinly, irritation barely hidden.

Seeing an opening, Sierra hesitated, then began, "Uhm... Dad, actually Erisia... she—"

"Sierra, no need to say anything. Your father asked me, and I’ll answer." Selena lifted her chin. "David, Shane, since you both insist on knowing, I’ll tell you. Almost a week ago, after Sierra and I went out, Erisia also went out. A couple of hours later, the police called to say she’d nearly been run over twice by a car and was at the station. I sent a lawyer to clean up everything and keep it quiet, but that stupid girl dismissed the lawyer. Since then she hasn’t come home—and I hope she never does."

David’s eyes widened, shock flashing across his face at the mention of Erisia almost being killed. Relief that she’d survived was quickly replaced by outrage as Selena’s final words sank in.

"What did you just say? How can you speak like that? She is your daughter—our daughter—and she nearly died. Yet you don’t even know where she is and didn’t care to inform me?"

Selena frowned, ready to retort, but remembering his long trip, she tamped down her temper. "I didn’t think it was important. Anyway, come on, freshen up. The food will get cold."

David’s anger spiked. "Selena, don’t you understand? Erisia was nearly killed and we don’t know where she is—and you’re worried about dinner?"

"What else should I be worried about? I already told you, I don’t care what happens to her."

Shane on the other hand, had left the room calling his secretary to know the details of the incident regarding Erisia.

"She is your daughter! Our daughter, for God’s sake! How can you not be worried? Do you even hear yourself?" He turned sharply to Leander and Sierra. "You both knew and said nothing? If I hadn’t asked, none of you would have told me, would you?"

Neither Leander nor Sierra replied. Their silence was answer enough.

David shook his head, his expression hardening. "Do you understand what you’ve done? You treat Erisia as if her life or death doesn’t matter. Leander, did you forget she is your biological sister? You share the same father and mother. Everyone else may think she was adopted, but you know the truth."

"Dad..." Leander began.

"Do not speak until I say so, Leander."

Just then Shane returned to the living room, phone still in hand. "I just spoke to Anna. She told me everything." He turned to his father. "You should read this too—it’s the official statement on Adrian Hoffman’s arrest. His arraignment is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon."

Shane didn’t stop there. "There’s more. Anna also told me about the Altheorn incident—the one making waves online. Father, you should see this."

David’s brow furrowed. "What incident?"

Shane handed him the phone. "Watch the video first."

David took the device, and Leander leaned in as Shane pulled up the footage. The room fell silent except for the soft hum of the playback. The grainy yet damning video played out: Sierra’s confrontation, her words, Sierra falling into the pool herself while shouting as If Erisia was the one who pushed her. And finally, Erisia’s short, icy caption beneath it all.

The comment section was a storm of outrage and accusations.

When the video ended, David stood abruptly, the phone trembling in his grip. "Selena," he said, his voice cutting like a blade. "Did you know about this? Tell me!"

He flung the phone toward her.

Selena caught it with a startled gasp. "What is the meaning of this, David?!"

"See for yourself and then answer me!" His voice thundered through the hall, the veins in his neck tight as bowstrings.

Selena angrily tapped the screen, the video replaying for her. Though a flicker of shock crossed her face, she masked it quickly. Sierra, standing to the side, grew increasingly pale.

Selena snapped the phone shut. "So what? Do you really believe this nonsense? Maybe that little snake faked the footage. How are you so sure? My Sierra would never do such a thing!"

David’s eyes blazed. "Selena, do you even hear yourself? Fake footage? Do you take me for a fool? Everything in that video is real—everything! Open your eyes!"

"I won’t!" she shot back, her voice rising. "I don’t believe a word of it because I know my Sierra. Erisia—that wretched girl—is the one capable of such things. My Sierra could never—never—do anything like this. So get that through your head!"

David stared at her, disbelief giving way to fury. "No, you listen to me. You are not only blind—you’re willfully stupid. And I’ll say this once, Selena. Never—never—call Erisia a bastard again. Because she is your biological daughter. You gave birth to her. Do you understand? You gave birth to her!"

~*~

Hey guys, I’m so sorry the Privilege Chapter didn’t drop this evening as planned. Yesterday I was down with some really bad cramps and couldn’t write a thing. 😣

But good news—I managed to write two Chapters today, and tomorrow I’ll be working on the remaining three Chapters.

This means the Privilege Chapter will officially open on Wednesday, September 24th.

Thanks so much for your patience and understanding. 💖 You guys are the best!