Chapter 409: Chapter 409
Samantha lowered her head to hide the expression in her eyes.
’What is this woman trying to achieve?’ She asked herself. Unknowingly, she had started to refer to Aliya as ’that woman’ in her thoughts, but her actions, surprisingly, gave little away.
Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Ingrid sigh. Ingrid seemed to be doing that a lot, and she did not understand why. Despite this, Samantha was starting to feel the same way. She sighed.
’What has happened to Mum? DID SOMETHING HAPPEN TO HER?’ She wondered as her worry turned to panic that struggled to emerge. However, she spared not even a glance at her adoptive mother, Aliya. The three of them had grown to rely on Shelby so much that they could not imagine a day without her. The thing was that her adoptive mother was acting bolder and weirder and that was what was disturbing for Samantha.
Samantha could still hear Gabriel’s muffled cries and distress in the other room. However, just as she turned to leave, one of Aliya’s statements to Gabriel re-echoed in her head. She stopped mid-step as she had been about to leave. Samantha did not want to be in the same room as Aliya, not even for a second.
"She already did that. Didn’t you hear what I just told you? The rumour is already out there, and the news stations are already reporting on your mama’s-"
Samantha pulled out her phone and started browsing the general news outlets. The first headlines she saw made her frown, and her fingers started trembling. Samantha closed her eyes tightly, willing herself to stay more calm,
’It’s been barely half a day, and all these happened?’ She was shocked.
At that moment, the three children did not even know of the accident nor of anything that had happened during the day. Even the adults had been caught by surprise and had not had time to think of how to protect the children. Maybe they must have thought that the children were okay with Aliya there. Little did they know....
Samantha gripped the phone, her eyes widening as she skimmed the news quickly. All the news outlets were practically saying the same thing, so she did not even bother comparing. She picked the most conspicuous one and started reading the lengthy articles.
The citizens of T-Vino Island had been through a series of shocking events that day, so much so that Breaking news had lost its surprise. One shock had yet to fade when another was added to it. Use the links provided on the various headlines to read more details about what had been reported mere hours ago.
For everyone, it had started with: "Cars tumble off the highway Cliff!"
"One of the vehicles confirmed to belong to the Ian Thornston..."
’Shelby Monroe in a fatal accident and Missing!’ then,
"Two reported Dead in the Thornston-related Accident!"
"Two reporters presumed to have been chasing the Thornston Vehicle and presumed to have been the course of the accident!" and other similar news.
The more Samantha read, the more her heart twisted painfully. She could not believe that all of this had happened in such a short span of time.
In fact, it was safe to assume that most of the citizens of the island had even forgotten that the day had started with news of Ian Thornston’s supposed previous wife, but with Samantha’s nimble fingers, she dug up all the articles from the morning. As a fast reader, she quickly skimmed through most of them, and as she neared the end of each article, her heart rate soared, and tiny beads of sweat trickled down her face.
Apart from her mother being a part of this accident, even the contents of the news on the accident were shocking for young Samantha, as were for most of the people reading same.
The thing was that T-Vino Island was a relatively calm island, and things like crimes and accidents were seldom. So, to have this much astonishing news back-to-back in one day was more than anyone could handle.
As they thought on, they would come to realize with time that almost all news of crime and strange events were related to the Wendover Family and especially Shelby Monroe, the girl with so much beauty that she could destroy a nation.
However, when they thought that they had heard it all, two shocking news statements were released yet again:
"Ian Thornston is confirmed to be comatose following the actions of his wife!"
["The controversy of this lengthy article was from the emphasis placed on Shelby’s supposed actions that had caused Ian to be unconscious. The article read: "In a stunning twist, news has emerged about the disappearance of renowned CEO Ian Thornston’s wife, Shelby Monroe.
What was initially believed to be a tragic accident that left Shelby presumed dead and missing has now taken a darker, more shocking turn. Authorities report that Shelby Monroe is now believed to have eloped with her assistant, a man only known as Murray, leading many to question what exactly transpired in the days following her disappearance.
Our reporters have been working tirelessly on this and can confidently state that sources close to the family have confirmed both Shelby and Murray have vanished, leaving behind only an unsettling trail of evidence. First responders at the scene of the accident also stated that the car was too mangled when it was retrieved from the base of the cliff for anyone to have survived.
This was further confirmed by the fact that all persons retrieved from the car had unfortunately passed. Investigators believe that the only survivor was thrown out of the car before it had plunged down the cliff. The survivor, whose identity we are withholding for now, seems to be hanging on life by a thread.
There are also rumours swirling that another unidentified man was seen sneaking into the vehicle with her. The details surrounding the situation remain murky, but what is certain is the shock and disbelief reverberating through both the corporate world and social circles. Many netizens are crying out for Ian Thornston on this new development.
Ian Thornston, the ever-charismatic and highly influential heir of T-Vino Industries, has always been known for his Midas touch and power within the circles. Without a doubt, Ian is the most desired man on the Island. His personal life, until now, had been a model of stability, and most could only look on in envy—his marriage to the unknown Shelby was a subject of admiration as well as bitterness for many.
That aside, the sudden disappearance of his wife has raised eyebrows not only due to the circumstances surrounding it but also because of the profound impact it could have on his public image and the whole Thornston Industries, which had lived blemish-free in all the years.
As authorities continue their investigation, the story has shifted from one of grief and tragedy to one of surprising betrayal and scandal. The revelation that Shelby might have run away with her lover—her own assistant, hired by her husband—has left the public in disbelief. How could the seemingly perfect life of the couple fall apart so suddenly?
And where is Shelby now? There are numerous speculations that Shelby had been triggered to do this because of the presence of Ian’s first wife, which many also speculate that it invalidates her current marriage.
To add to this, we also unearthed another sinister side of Shelby Monroe: It turned out that she did not have just one but two lovers! It may be hard for most to stomach this news, but we have confirmed reports that her high school lover had also been in the car with her.
This also brings into play the fact that Miss Shelby was several years younger than her husband. Many had commended her for marrying such a man, but it turned out that she is just like all the other gold diggers. She has the right looks and used it to her advantage!
The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement piecing together the fragments of what could have been a carefully orchestrated escape. Meanwhile, it is reported that the shock had pushed the once powerful man into a comatose state. This sadly confirms how much he valued his wife and how hurt he was by her betrayal!
The Thornston estate has yet to make a public statement, their silence only adding to the growing mystery surrounding Miss Shelby’s disappearance.
As the truth unravels, the story of the once-gilded marriage is quickly becoming one of betrayal, secrets, and unanswered questions, which we all await answers to. What was once a tragic loss has now evolved into a scandal that no one could have predicted!]"
Samantha’s hands dropped limply at her side, and she turned to see Aliya’s gaze on her.
’IS this why all the adults have left home? What exactly is going on? This is so strange. The news looks to be orchestrated!’ Samantha’s thoughts went around in circles, but her heart was in her throat. How could she not feel that way when there was no news that would calm them down?
’Mum is still missing, and they are playing delaying tactics with this stupid news? I must call Murray to find out what is going on! I smell something fishy!’ Samantha’s thoughts ran rampant, but there was one constant factor. She knew that her adoptive mother had a hand in it for some reason.
"So?" Aliya skewed her head to the side and looked at Samantha with a smirk.
Samantha looked fully into Aliya’s eyes and then said, rather quietly, "Mum is being slandered.... She would never do that. The news is wrong."
Aliya moved back in surprise at the Samatha’s certainty. She opened her mouth but could not say anything,
"You – y-ou trust her that much?"
Samantha looked at her adoptive mother in a weird way and then turned to leave decidedly... she did not bother answering her question.
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