A Ruling Passion – Chapter 1558

Mark could hear the undertone in Arianne’s question and held her gaze. “If there’s something you’d like to suggest, then say it out front, please,” he stated candidly. “Ever since Aunt Shelly’s accident, I’ve been bogged down by not just work but also her recovery. I could spare no more energy to postulate if that incident were a ploy or an accident or God-knows-what-else. The way I see it, the whole thing has the hallmarks of a typical freak accident, and isn’t that what these things are wont to do? Misfortune is a lottery sometimes. We can’t start suspecting that everything in the world is out to get us just because something like that happened once or twice before. Being overtly allergic like that can’t be good.”

Arianne sighed quietly. “It’s Melanie. She called me moments earlier, and I think she wanted to bring this to attention. So, I brought it up to you; that’s all there is to it. If you really lack the time, then you don’t have to investigate this, okay? We’ll let bygones be bygones. The only reason why I thought it might be worth scrutiny is because it involved you and Aunt Shelly, who even became lame because of it. If someone was out to harm you, we can’t let them escape. We need to make sure it doesn’t happen again, agree?”

At that moment, Shelly suddenly appeared, approaching the two with the help of her cane. “What are you two whispering about, hmm?” she exclaimed mirthfully. “What’s so secretive that you two are discussing it behind me back?”

Mark quickly helped her to the living room before easing her onto the couch. “No, no secret. What is there to hide from you?” he answered. “We were just... discussing what to have for dinner later! What would you like to eat, Aunt Shelly? Tell me, and I shall have the kitchen crew work on it.”

Shelly thought for a second. “How about... steaks? I haven’t had one for ages now! You wouldn’t mind having steak for dinner, would you, Arianne?”