Love At The Wrong Table

The Verkade Scheme

“Claudette, what’s wrong? Please, say something!” Laura’s voice trembled

with desperation as she gripped Claudette’s hand tightly, but her daughter

remained as still and unresponsive as a porcelain doll.

“Manuel, what happened to my sister?” Elizabeth asked anxiously.

“She was brainwashed and deeply hypnotized,” Emmanuel explained gravely.

“I killed the person who had control over her, but now she’s like a robot.”

The revelation hit like a thunderbolt. Laura and Elizabeth broke down in tears,

their sobs echoing through the room. Even Felicity, who had been trying to

hold herself together, couldn’t contain her grief. As she wept, a bittersweet

thought crossed her mind–if only Sarah could have been as fortunate as

Claudette, alive even if not fully herself. Just to see Sarah again would have

been enough to soothe her aching heart.

Suddenly, a booming voice shattered the somber mood. “Hey, why are you all

crying? It’s not like Claudette can’t wake up!” Quintus barged into the room,

1/5

5…

The Verkade Scheme

his usual bravado on full display.

Elizabeth, momentarily distracted from her sorrow, looked up at her brother

with surprise. “Quintus, you’re still alive?”

#

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Quintus retorted, feigning offense. “You cry

when you see your sister alive, but you laugh when you see your brother? Am

I a clown or something?” His self–deprecating humor brought reluctant

smiles to Emmanuel and Mackenzie’s faces.

This guy, for the first time, had such a clear understanding of himself!

“Don’t worry,” Emmanuel assured them. “I’ve already sent someone to Yociam

Residence to retrieve my medical books. I’ll find a way to break Claudette’s

hypnosis, and she’ll return to normal. As for whether her old memories will

come back, that’s up to fate.”

Laura nodded, a whirlwind of emotions playing across her face. As she looked

at her once vibrant daughter, now so changed, a secret hope took root in her

heart. With Emmanuel and Mackenzie expecting a child, it would be better if

The Verkade Scheme

Claudette never regained her memories. She could find happiness with

another man and start a fresh chapter in her life. How else could Claudette

ever compete with Mackenzie?

Quintus, ever ready with a jest, chimed in, “Aunt Laura, did you hear that? My

brother–in–law here is really responsible!” He turned to Mackenzie with a

mischievous grin. “I’ll treat you just as well, following his example!”

She rolled her eyes in exasperation. Here she was, heavily pregnant with

Emmanuel’s child, and Quintus still wouldn’t give up his flirtatious antics. Oh,

come on, enough already!

“Ms. Lenoir,” Emmanuel’s tone became serious as he addressed Laura. “You

bear the surname Verkade. Do you know what role the Verkade family played

in the Quillen family massacre?”

Laura visibly flinched, her face paling as she quickly shook her head.

“Emmanuel, you address me as Ms. Lenoir because I’ve been married out of

the Verkade family. I don’t involve myself in their affairs anymore.” Her voice

trembled slightly as she continued, “Are you saying that the Verkade family

08:54 Fri,

The Verkade Scheme

was involved in the Quillen family massacre?”

“Exactly,” Emmanuel confirmed bluntly. Even Laura, the daughter of the family,

said so, which meant most people would have such suspicions in this

situation.

Desperate to distance herself from the accusations, Laura quickly offered

information. “I swear, I had nothing to do with it. But I can tell you this. In a few

days, the Verkade family will be hosting a business event in Yeringham.

They’re trying to rally the major families in Nuthana to support William as the

Chairman of the Nuthana Chamber of Comce. You can confront him

directly there.”

“What makes him think he can pull that off?” Mackenzie’s expression turned C0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.

icy, her voice laced with disdain.

“Mackenzie, you might not be aware, but since you and Old Mr. Quillen have

been away, William has bought off most of Terence Group’s executives and

shareholders. They’re all backing him taking over as chairman of Terence

Group. There’s even talk of renaming the group!” Laura revealed, her voice

G

61%

The Verkade Scheme

tinged with frustration. “William’s goal with this event is to make it clear to

everyone in Nuthana that he’s the one taking control of Terence Group, and

everything tied to the Quillen family.”

Mackenzie’s eyes flashed with anger, her fury palpable.

“He won’t succeed!” Emmanuel declared firmly, his jaw set with

determination. However, he kept his plans to himself, still not fully trusting

Laura. Then, he made a request that was more of a command. “Ms. Lenoir,

since you’re here, I’d like you to stay and help care for Claudette for a while.”

“Of course, Laura agreed, understanding the unspoken reason behind

Emmanuel’s request. He didn’t want her tipping off William, giving him a

chance to escape. Yet, Laura couldn’t help but find it amusing that

Emmanuel underestimated the Verkade family’s greed. Since they wanted to

become the rulers of Nuthana, even knowing Emmanuel was back, the

Verkades wouldn’t abandon their ambitions so easily,

A Long Kurated barkering