Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



Before meeting up, Elysia had been itching for a confrontation, ready to unleash a tirade on him for all the wrongs he'd done. But standing there now, she realized it was pointless. The kind of man who'd stoop so low, who was rotten to the core, wouldn't see reason no matter what she said.

"And what about Dr. White? Dr. White and Mr. Hawkins have been through thick and thin for decades, facing life and death together. Why would he betray Mr. Hawkins?"

Larry didn't answer her question. Instead, he countered, "How much hush money do you want? Just name your price."

Larry had it all figured out. If she asked for a small amount, he'd pull her into their scheme. She was too beautiful to waste, could make for an intriguing affair. If she demanded an unreasonable sum, he'd silence her for the day and deal with her permanently later.

Before Elysia could respond, Larry added with a sinister undertone, "You've stumbled upon our secret but didn't go straight to Clayton. You're obviously angling for a payoff, which I get. It's human nature, and I support that.

After all, Clayton's days of glory are numbered!

Just you wait and see. The day after tomorrow, he'll be disgraced, tumbling from his pedestal into the mire, never to rise again! Choosing to side with us now not only secures you a handsome sum of hush money but promises further benefits down the line." Elysia couldn't wrap her head around it.

"Mr. Hawkins has been nothing but good to you, your benefactor. What will you do if he falls from grace?"

Larry laughed, "Once he's down, I'm up! I won't have to play butler to Pamela, that lunatic, anymore. I can openly court Miss Murphy from the Murphy family! No longer will I be Clayton's lapdog. I, Larry, will have my own empire!"noveldrama

Elysia frowned, "Aren't you afraid that in three days, at the shareholders' meeting, Mr. Hawkins might pull through?"

"Him, win? Ha! There's no chance, not unless his daughter returns. But she's long gone."

"Why? I thought she was just missing. How can you be so sure she's dead?"

"Because back then..." Larry paused, then decided, "You don't need to know. Just believe me, she's dead."

"And if she isn't?"

Larry was adamant, "Impossible!"

Elysia glared at him, lips pressed tight. His certainty hinted at a dark secret.

Seeing he wouldn't divulge more, she shifted the topic, "So, the Hawkins Mansion is under your control now?"

"Almost entirely," was Larry's vague admission.

"And they all listen to Helen?"

Larry didn't deny it. "Trust me, siding with Helen is far better than sticking with Clayton and Pamela, that madwoman.

And let me tell you, tormenting that lunatic is quite the stress reliever!

No matter how you treat her, she won't complain. She just asks, sobbing, 'Where's my Irene? Have you seen my Irene? Where did my Irene go? Why can't I find her?' Hah..."

Elysia's breathing quickened in disgust, "You're... you're inhuman!"

Just as Larry was about to retort, he noticed a light from Elysia's pocket.

His expression turned grave, "You... you're recording this?!"

Elysia pulled out her phone, her voice low, "Mr. Hawkins, you've heard everything. Helen has been abusing Mrs. Hawkins for over twenty years, with Larry and Dr. White as her accomplices. The household staff are all in on it too!"

Clayton's roar of fury came through the phone, "Scoundrels!!!"

Larry, panic-stricken, realized the gig was up. But rather than retreat, his anger turned towards Elysia, "You deceitful witch! You'll pay for this!" He lunged at her, intent on violence.

But before he could reach Elysia, Evan kicked him hard, sending him flying. "You're the one who's done for!"

Elysia quickly shield her son, calling out to the bodyguards she had arranged beforehand, "Seize him! Don't let him escape! And round up Dr. White and the servants too. Not one of them gets away!"

She couldn't wait any longer. Vengeance had to be served tonight.