Chapter 3

Linda sneered. Her eyes, which usually sparkled at the sight of William, were now dull and lifeless. "Tantrums? What a perfect word," she muttered softly. "William, do you even have a heart?" Linda pointed at Ida, who sat on the couch surrounded by housekeepers. "To you, Ida is always pure, kind, and your savior. But she's not. She's the one who pushed me into the lake. "She's the reason I lost my child! You're defending the person who killed your child—do you know that?" A tear fell to the floor, catching the light. "And yet, you still think I'm just throwing tantrums." Linda's once-bright eyes were now filled with hatred. William's frown deepened as he listened. Ida, who had just finished treating her wound and regained her composure, rushed to defend herself. "Linda, stop lying! This is the Wilson residence, not a place for your baseless accusations. I've always been honest and upright. I don't resort to underhanded tactics, nor do I need to. "You fell into the lake yourself because you wanted to gain William's sympathy. How could you accuse me of pushing you? How can you lie so easily? "I have nothing against you, and I don't want anything from you. What could I possibly gain from pushing you? And if I didn't like you, I'd just avoid you. Why would I risk committing a crime?" Ida turned to William and added, "William, you can't believe her lies." William remained silent as he fell deep in thought. The housekeepers surrounding Ida glared at Linda as if trying to bore holes into her. "Mr. Wilson, Ms. Ida was admiring the camellia flowers and wanted to pick some for your study," one housekeeper said. "When she reached the pavilion in the backyard, she saw Ms. Felix jump into the lake. Ms. Ida didn't even go near her. "But even though Ms. Felix can swim, she didn't get out of the water on her own. She just floundered there, even when a housekeeper tried to pull her out with a lifebuoy. She was unfazed and insisted on waiting for you to return." Linda glanced at the housekeeper who had spoken. Joanne was the one who brought her back, and she had been taking care of Ida since she came to the Wilson family. Naturally, she would defend Ida. They always protected their employers. Ida nodded vigorously while tears welled up in her eyes. "William, Linda's father passed away at the beginning of the year, and now her uncle's family has taken over the Felix Group. "She's no longer the Felix family's heiress and no longer has the power she once wielded. Without her biggest support, she's desperate to hold on to you to keep her title as Mrs. Wilson. "To keep this title, she gambled with her unborn child to gain your sympathy. After all, you two have been married for three years, so there's some affection there. "By using the child to gain your sympathy, even if you eventually divorce, she can secure more alimony and drive a wedge between us and Joanne. "Plus, William, even if I really have feelings for you, I've been living in the Wilson residence for four years now. Don't you think I could have easily made my move based on my relationship with Joanne? "Why would I need to go to such lengths? Besides, if Linda had told us about her pregnancy sooner, wouldn't we have treated her like a queen?" Ida's words were reasonable and well-timed. She accused Linda of using the child to evoke sympathy and proved her innocence. Even Linda almost believed her. Then Ida added sorrowfully, "What a poor child. He was only two months old." Ida knew the details of Linda's medical reports and naturally knew how far along the pregnancy was. Linda let out a chuckle. Their words were logical and convincing. She had no room to retort, and of course, William would never believe anything she said. Reflecting on her three years of marriage to William, Linda had never used her family's status to act superior in the Wilson family or tried to sow discord. Even knowing that Ida was an imposter Joanne had brought in to replace her, she had done nothing to harm her. Linda never intended to use the child's death to get more alimony or frame anyone. How could she ever have harmed her own child? Linda wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. She clearly understood one fact—the cold Wiliam in front of her would never believe a word she said. So, why humiliate herself further? Her hands clenched into tight fists. Linda's heart felt as if it was being wrapped in silver threads. The threads were tightening and tearing her heart apart until it was irreparably broken. "William, you believe in Ida too, right?" Linda forced a stiff smile as her bloodshot eyes met his cold, piercing gaze. The housekeeper, siding with Ida spoke again, "Why wouldn't Mr. Wilson believe Ms. Ida? Should he believe you instead? You're nothing but a wicked woman!" Linda's patience finally snapped. She glared at the housekeeper. "It's not your place to speak here!" William remained silent. His brows were tightly knitted, and his eyes were full of coldness and disgust. He turned to look out the window where the camellias were in full bloom. No words were needed as his actions said it all. He didn't believe Linda. Linda's mind raced. Of course, she was the wicked woman in his eyes. Why would he have believed her? Wasn't this the inevitable outcome? What was Linda hoping for? What was there to expect? Who would have thought that the kind-hearted Ida, the Wilson family's adopted daughter and William's childhood savior, could be so despicable behind the scenes? No one would ever have believed or even imagined it! On the contrary, Linda was known to be jealous and malicious. To others, she couldn't even stand other people's happiness. When she was hurt, they thought she deserved it and was unworthy of pity. Linda felt her strength drain away. Her legs went weak, and her steps faltered. After a long silence, William said, "Linda, I don't want to see you anywhere near me again." With that, he left the villa without a backward glance. As Linda watched his departing figure, she forced herself to move despite the discomfort wracking her body. However, before she could leave the Wilson residence, Ida, who had seemed so frail moments ago, now blocked her path with a triumphant look. Ida laughed heartily. "Linda, I've never seen anyone as foolish as you," she declared arrogantly with crossed arms. The blood stains on her face did nothing to diminish her victorious demeanor.