Chapter 283: Self-Inflicted Orphan's Resentment, Farewell Already Cold
"Should we call Chuck for help?"
Monica suggested comfortingly.
"No!"
Linda, still tipsy, immediately refused. Seeing Monica's surprise, she tried to cover herself.
"I'm afraid he's too busy, and this isn't a criminal case. Let's wait until the police finish their investigation."
"Let's ask him anyway."
Beth Harmon walked over.
"Okay."
Seeing her adopted daughter's indifferent yet resolute expression, the intoxicated Linda, though reluctant, could only nod in agreement.
The situation was that her wealthy husband, who had always wanted to harm her, was dead. Although she didn't know the cause, this was beneficial to her.
Unlike last time when she faced death threats from her husband—when he was still alive and she'd already prepared for his funeral—and asked Chuck for help to clear her name, this time she was actually reluctant to involve Detective Chuck.
After her husband's death, the property would most likely go to her.
The subsequent glory would depend on this adopted daughter, who was even more talented than her husband had been.
Therefore, she respected her adopted daughter's wishes and didn't pull rank as a mother.
"I'll contact them for you."
Monica pulled out her phone and dialed.
"We're leaving now."
Linda left with Beth Harmon, heading to the hospital.
When no one else was around in the car, Linda asked, "Why do you want Detective Chuck involved? You know about your father's situation…"
"Esther!"
Beth Harmon looked at her hesitant adoptive mother and slowly uttered a name.
Linda froze, somewhat dazed by the name, before remembering that was the other adopted daughter who had come home along with Beth.
However, compared to Beth, she didn't like Esther very much.
She always felt there was something off about her.
Of course, everyone else felt the same way about Beth.
But as a woman, and now as an adoptive mother, she could still distinguish between them. In her eyes, Beth was strangely good.
And Esther was simply strangely bad.
But at the time, her husband had insisted, so she could only agree.
After bringing them home, their daily interactions proved her intuition correct.
Esther's clothes and appearance remained unchanged every day, always wearing that strange scarf and bracelet, refusing to let anyone touch her, and occasionally glancing at her with malicious eyes.
She had spoken up several times.
But her husband said she was overthinking it, that it was a natural reaction for an orphan before integrating into a new family, and that she would adjust.
She could only accept this explanation, but she kept her distance from Esther, unwilling to have much contact with this strange girl.
Esther probably felt the same way, only clinging to her husband.
Then there was the other adopted daughter, Beth Harmon.
This was the girl her husband truly wanted to adopt, even specifically requesting her approval to adopt.
She understood; this girl, like her husband, was a chess prodigy.
It made sense.
She was prepared.
Neither of her adopted daughters was close to her.
In this expanded family, she would become increasingly lonely.
Late at night, she had more than once wondered if this was a new scheme by her husband, deliberately isolating her.
However, the reality was that Beth Harmon, who should have been the most compatible with her husband, was unwilling to be close to him, only seeking her out when she needed something.
Although her attitude was indifferent, Linda was overjoyed.
Thus, the household naturally formed two teams: she led Beth Harmon, while her husband teamed up with Esther.
Soon, Beth was under her guidance, conquering chess tournaments around the country, winning game after game and reaping glory.
She felt she had finally found her direction in life.
This was a completely different feeling from being confined at home all day, living a life of aimless drinking.
Before, she had passively enjoyed her husband's glory, but this time, she felt that some of Beth's victories belonged to her.
Therefore, even though she wasn't short of money, after her adopted daughter Beth won a prize, she couldn't help but ask, "Can I take 10%?"
The prize money from these regional tournaments was small, and she didn't actually need it.
Even though her husband had various prenuptial agreements restricting her from accessing more of his money, the lifestyle benefits alone were enough for her to disregard the prize money.
But she still asked.
On the way home after a tournament, she blushed as soon as she finished speaking.
Because after she spoke, she realized that the person she was asking for money from was a nine-year-old child.
Beth's usual mature demeanor had almost made her forget this.
Beth glanced at her but didn't speak immediately. Just as she was nervously considering retracting her words, Beth calmly said, "I'll give you 15%."
From that moment on, they were not only adoptive mother and daughter, but also a player and manager partnership.
They became increasingly close and inseparable.
Busy with her work, she had almost forgotten about her adopted daughter, Esther.
"What does this have to do with her?"
Linda asked, puzzled.
"She's dangerous,"
Beth Harmon said, gazing out the window. "With Chuck around, things will be safer."
"Okay,"
Linda, increasingly trusting her adopted daughter's wisdom, suppressed her reluctance to let Detective Chuck interfere and potentially change the favorable situation, and nodded in agreement.
After driving a while longer, she glanced at her indifferent and calm adopted daughter in the rearview mirror and couldn't help but say, "This Paige could be your friend."
Seeing that Beth didn't speak, she explained, "I talked to Monica. Paige's mother is also named Linda. She was the one who traveled around with Paige all the time. She's a lot like us, isn't she?
Besides, she's very intelligent. You're both girls, close in age, and both play chess. She'd be a good friend for you."
"She doesn't like chess, she just likes winning,"
Beth corrected casually.
"Isn't the point of playing chess to win?"
Linda laughed. "You can beat her, right?"
"Yes."
Beth nodded, then shook her head. "We both win and lose."
"That's even better!"
Linda exclaimed happily. "That's perfect."
She had already figured out some of the thoughts of gifted girls like Beth. Always winning or losing would bore them; only a balance of wins and losses could maintain their interest and make it more suitable for friendship.
Beth glanced at her but didn't speak.
Linda noticed, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes.
Although she wasn't particularly perceptive, she guessed what Beth was thinking. Every time she drove Beth to a competition, with Beth in the back seat, Beth would occasionally look at her with that same expression.
She knew Beth was thinking of her deceased mother.
Before the car accident, Beth's biological mother had driven her around like this.
At the hospital.
"Doctor, how did my husband die?"
Linda asked, tears streaming down her face.
"Mrs. Cross, preliminary examination indicates your husband died of a sudden heart attack,"
the attending physician explained. "Whether we perform a further autopsy depends on your consent and what the police decide."
"I see…"
Linda remained silent, subconsciously glancing at her adopted daughter Beth beside her. Under Beth's gaze, she looked up and said, "Then let's see what the police decide. By the way, where's Esther?"
"Your daughter Esther?"
The doctor nodded. "She's with the aide. I'll have the aide bring her over."
"No need, let's go find her,"
Linda waved her hand.
After saying goodbye to the doctor, following the directions he had given her, she led Beth to Esther. Standing outside, she didn't immediately go in, but instead watched Esther sitting quietly inside, looking heartbroken and tearful.
Just as she was about to enter, Beth stopped her.
"Wait for Chuck to arrive,"
Beth said.
"You suspect…"
Linda froze, utterly shocked.
Although she felt Esther was somewhat strange and unsettling, she hadn't connected her husband's death to Esther at all.
Seeing Beth remain silent, she pressed her question in a low voice, "Do you know something?"
"She's dangerous,"
Beth simply said.
Hearing this, Linda felt a completely different kind of shock. She instinctively looked up at Esther in the room, only to see Esther suddenly staring back at her, their eyes meeting.
"Mom!"
Esther ran out of the room, her voice trembling with tears.
Linda was somewhat uncomfortable with this form of address, but seeing Esther approach, she could only go to meet her, and Esther threw herself into her arms.
"Mrs. Cross,"
the aide greeted her.
"Do you know what happened?"
Linda awkwardly pushed Esther away and asked, "How could your father suddenly have a medical emergency and die?"
"I don't know either,"
Esther cried. "I was playing chess with my father. One moment he was fine, and the next moment he suddenly collapsed. I called 911, but by the time they arrived, it was too late."
The aide voluntarily left, giving the grieving family some space.
Linda glanced at Beth and said to the crying Esther, "Don't worry, it's alright. We've already asked Detective Chuck for help."
"Detective Chuck?"
The crying Esther was taken aback, looking puzzled. "What does this have to do with him?"
"To help clear Linda of suspicion,"
Beth said calmly. "Mr. Cross had taken out high-value life insurance policies on himself and Linda before he passed away.
Now that Mr. Cross has passed away, there will naturally be an investigation, and because Linda is the beneficiary, she's a suspect.
Although Linda didn't do it, she could be framed.
With Detective Chuck involved, Linda won't be wrongly accused."
Even though she was adopted, she never called Linda and Patrick "Mom and Dad."
"That's great!"
Esther's eyes flashed with surprise, then she said sadly, "I believe Mom! Dad just died of natural causes, what does that have to do with Mom?"
"Mm."
Seeing that Esther was much more obedient than usual, Linda nodded, her gaze softening as she looked at Esther.
"Mom, now that Dad's gone, will we be sent back to the orphanage?"
Esther stepped forward, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at Linda.
Even Beth couldn't help but look over at these words.
This was indeed her biggest concern right now.
Not only did she not want to go back to the orphanage, but her reputation was already established, and many good families would be willing to adopt her, yet she didn't want that.
The precocious genius girl, Beth, understood that Linda as her adoptive mother was the best choice for her.
Their relationship had already been established, and they had developed some affection for each other; she was unwilling to risk changing it.
"No…"
Linda also sensed the problem and instinctively refused, because her adopted daughter Beth was now her source of pride.
But then she realized her mistake, instinctively looking at Esther, and her words changed.
"I don't know. Now that your father is gone, even if I wanted to continue raising you both, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to…"
As she said this, she subtly took Beth's hand beside her, her eyes offering reassurance, unaware that all of this had been observed by Esther, who had been watching her expression closely.
In her mind, Beth was someone she absolutely had to keep.
Esther, however, wasn't essential.
She'd seen how much effort Linda, Paige's mother, had poured into raising her prodigy daughter, Paige, to the point of divorcing her ex-husband.
Even they were in such a state.
For a widow like herself, raising one daughter was already incredibly difficult; how could she possibly have the energy to raise two?
So she hadn't made a firm commitment, in case she couldn't follow through later.
"I understand, Mom,"
Esther said, lowering her head sadly. "Can we go home now?"
"Alright,"
Linda agreed instinctively.
Actually, she didn't want to stay here either, because there was no alcohol here, while there was plenty at home; she needed a few drinks to calm herself down.
"Chuck hasn't arrived yet,"
Beth shook her head.
"Do we really have to wait for him?"
Esther looked up. "We can wait for him at home; I really don't like it here."
"Yes."
Beth nodded firmly.
"Beth's right."
Linda, though inclined to leave, changed her mind again when Beth insisted. "Let's wait for Detective Chuck to arrive, then we'll go back together."
"Does it have to be this way?"
Esther looked at Linda pleadingly.
"Yes."
Linda was unmoved by Esther's pleas. Thinking about placing Esther somewhere else later, she knew she had to be firm; why not start now?
"I don't think so."
Esther's eyes hardened as she looked at Linda's resolute expression. A small ladies' pistol appeared in her hand, pointed at Linda.
Linda was stunned, staring at Esther in disbelief. "Esther, stop fooling around."
"I'm not fooling around. You're my mother."
Esther skillfully manipulated the pistol. Hearing the mechanical sound, so different from a toy gun, Linda's legs went weak, staring at Esther in terror.
"My dear sister, you're called a genius girl. You tell her—who's in charge here?"
"What do you want?"
Beth Harmon supported Linda, slightly startled, but quickly regained her composure.
"What do I want?"
Esther smiled coldly. "I thought we were a family, loving and caring for each other.
But clearly, Mom doesn't see it that way. Dad's body isn't even cold yet, and she's already thinking of kicking me out. That's not right.
We came here together.
Of course, we should leave together.
Now, let's help Mom calm down and come home with us.
Otherwise, if I'm not careful, this family will fall apart."
"Beth…"
Linda looked tremblingly at the small figure supporting her.
"Listen to her."
Beth and Esther exchanged a silent glance, then turned to Linda and said this, helping her walk toward the exit.
"I'll help too."
Esther smiled, walking over and supporting Linda on the other side, pressing the pistol against Linda's waist to conceal it.
The three females left the hospital and headed home.
(End of Chapter)
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