Chapter 281
After Mitchell hung up the phone, the fog in his mind began to lift.
Earlier, in a drunken stupor, he'd snatched his assistant's phone and called Effie over and over. She hadn't answered once.
He'd assumed she'd blocked his assistant's number too.
Just as he was about to give up, the call finally connected. The strained voice on the other end told him Effie was at the police station.
At first, he thought it was some scam. But when he asked again and heard the same reply, a chill shot through him. Sobriety slammed into him like a wave.
He stumbled to the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. The shock of it cleared his head even more.
"I need to go home!"
could think about was helping Effie. No matter what,
lounging in the living
more," Adeline coaxed warmly.
in today-it's wonderful for your health.
you, Mrs. Foster," Suzan replied sweetly, obedient as
in, stumbling over himself.
jumped, startled. For a moment,
the heavy stench of alcohol gave him away. Adeline's expression changed;
of control. Day and night, he drowned himself in liquor, drank until he blacked out, and neglected everything else. No amount of scolding or questioning could get through
wasn't blind-she knew exactly why
what on earth Effie had
his eyes. "Mom, where's Director Nichols's
sharp. "Why do you need Director Nichols's number? What have you
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