Page 99 of The Beach Hut on Plum Island
“Estelle is telling the truth,” Julie told Harriet. “The poor girl needs stitches in her head where she was hit trying to warn us. But then Sam and your father had that wretched sleeping powder blown in their faces.”
“That’s why Sam didn’t go with Liam,” Harriet said softly.
“The chemist will be here soon, and then we can finish this…” That voice had always grated on Harriet’s nerves.
She turned and stood up from the sofa she had been shoved onto next to her mother and uncle. “What do you want,Gloria?“ Harriet’s eyes narrowed as she walked toward the woman.
“What should’ve been mine to begin with,” Gloria sneered. “When everyone else is out of the way, I’ll have the life that I wassupposedto have before your mother came along.”
“You want to marry my uncle and be queen?” Harriet asked, her eyes widened in realization as she turned to Titus. “You and Faith were flying to Las Vegas to get married?”
“Harriet, I don’t think this is the time,” Titus said, moving his head toward Gloria.
She turned back toward the woman. “It looks like my uncle doesn’t want to marry you.”
“I don’t want to marry Titus!” Gloria said in disgust. “I want to marry the man who was promised to me before your mother stole him from me.”
Harriet ignored the gasps from behind her. “You want to marry my father?” she spluttered and glanced at the people in the living room. “He’s already married, and if you’re trying to get my uncle to divorce them and give you his blessing. I don’t think after you’ve kidnapped them, that’s going to happen.”
“Don’t be so naive, Harriet,” Gloria drawled. “Your father will be king again now that your brother is dead, and soon, your uncle will be too.” She glanced at Faith. “This is nothingpersonal, Faith. I have nothing against you, but unfortunately, you’re just collateral damage.”
“Mean!” Harriet flicked her index finger in the air.
“What do you mean Gray is dead?” Julie’s voice was hoarse with emotion. “What have you done, you crazy cow?”
“I tested this new poison I had a chemist develop for me,” Gloria told her with an evil smile on her face. “Besides, Pat and I don’t need a son. I already have an heir for him for the throne.”
“Leon?” Harriet snorted, and anger flashed in Gloria’s eyes. “He couldn’t run a party in a brewery. Your son’s an idiot.”
“Don’t you talk about my Leon like that,” Gloria shouted and slapped Harriet across the face.
Her cheek stung as her head flew to the side.
“Harriet!” Julie flew off the sofa, but Harriet stopped her.
“No, Mom, I’m fine. Stay back with Uncle Titus.” Harriet smiled at her mother. “I’ve got this.”
“Gloria, stop this,” Estelle shouted at her. “Have you completely lost your mind? You’re also still married to my uncle.”
“Not for long.” Gloria’s eyes turned to chips of ice.
“What did you do to my son?” Julie growled.
“Mom!” Harriet pushed her mother back onto the sofa and whispered, “Gray is fine, but play along.”
“I don’t like this, Harriet,” Julie whispered back.
Harriet stood and faced Gloria once again. “So everything that happened on Plum Island these past few days was you?”
“It was never the plan for you to marry Leon. You’re nowhere near good enough for him,” Gloria sneered.
“I thought you were going to disown him,” Estelle said.
“Never!” Gloria told her, looking at Estelle in disgust. “I told you that to test your loyalty, and you proved once again how ungrateful you are for everything I did for you.”
“Everything you did for her?” Harriet’s anger boiled over as she stepped between them. “You’ve done nothing but manipulate Estelle and rub it in her face. She was a child when she came to you. You and your husband were her only relatives that could look after her.”
“And look how she’s betrayed us.” Gloria’s eyes filled with disappointment when she looked at Estelle. “Well, now you’re cut off. You are no longer a Gladstone. You will have nothing from us. Nothing!”
