Chapter 136:
“I remember that year well. I was still in university. Herbert and I had planned a trip together, but at the last minute, I couldn’t go. While he was reading in his room, I picked up a camera and decided to take a picture of the parasol tree outside the window. I never expected that the door—”
“The door to the yard suddenly opened. You walked in with a man, then shut the door behind you. He wrapped his arms around your waist and started kissing you…”
“Stop it!”
McKenna’s once-arrogant expression had shifted to unease.
But I had no intention of stopping.
“I remember that day clearly,” I continued.
“Mr. Wharton was attending a meeting at the White House, and you assumed Herbert and I had already left for our trip. You and that man—well, let’s just say, you weren’t shy about expressing your desires. I saw the two of you undressing as you moved toward the house…”
“Shut up!”
McKenna erupted, her voice trembling with fury.
I paused briefly, then pressed on.
“Herbert saw everything from the window. He wanted to kill you. But he knew that exposing the scandal would damage his family’s name, so he kept it quiet. He told me to stay inside, to pretend I had seen nothing. And I obeyed—because at the time, I thought I would have to get along with you in the future.”
A long silence stretched between us.
Finally, McKenna lifted her head, her lips curling into a bitter smile.
“Caroline, what exactly do you want?”
“What do I want?” I scoffed.
“I want to be with Herbert. If it weren’t for the sudden downfall of my family, our children would be calling you ‘Grandma’ by now.”
“But he’s already married…”
I cut her off sharply.
“He doesn’t love that woman. I am the one he loves!”
McKenna studied me for a moment before sighing.
“Well then,” she said slowly, “if you have the ability to make him divorce and marry you, I won’t stand in your way. In fact, I’ll even throw you a grand wedding.”
I narrowed my eyes. This wasn’t enough.
“Not interfering isn’t enough,” I said firmly.
“I need your support. Help me get that woman out of the Wharton family!”
McKenna’s expression darkened.
“This is between you and Herbert,” she said coldly.
“As his mother, how can I possibly interfere?”
I smirked, glancing away as I spoke.
“You’ll find a way. I’m giving you a week. If you can’t think of something, I’ll send this photo to every major media outlet. You’ll be famous in no time.”
I stood, picked up my bag, and turned to leave.
