Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1215

"Looks like it," Elysia muttered, frowning. "So what’s his game? He’s trying to use Ridley to threaten Winona?"

Tarquin leaned back against the headboard and pulled her close.

"They’re past pretending. Zane needs leverage to keep Winona in check, and Ridley’s the perfect bargaining chip. He can use Ridley to shut Winona up, and maybe even get his hands on the Newsom family’s company and assets. If Ridley doesn’t play along, Zane can always dangle the whole ‘illegitimate daughter’ thing over her head."

Elysia pressed her cheek against Tarquin’s chest, brows knit tight.

"Zane sure thinks he’s clever, doesn’t he?"

"Thinking doesn’t mean he’ll succeed," Tarquin replied, a hint of a smile in his voice.

Elysia looked up at him, her expression hopeful.

"So you already figured out Zane’s plan? You had people watching over Ridley and the others from the start?"

He nodded. "That’s why I kept telling you to relax. As long as your husband’s here, you’ve got nothing to worry about."

With Caroline and Winona already under their roof, Ridley was the only one Zane could target. If things went south between Zane and Winona, Ridley would be his first move.

Elysia’s eyes sparkled. "How did you get so smart?"

Tarquin grinned. "It’s because I married Elysia. You inspire me."

Elysia snorted. "I’ll just take that as a compliment."

"You should—it’s meant to be one. And I’m pretty proud of it, too."

She laughed along with him, then asked, "So what’s the plan now?"

"We see what Winona wants to do next."

Back and forth, the couple kept talking in low voices. Elysia was so worried about Ridley and Tamsin that she couldn’t sleep, so Tarquin stayed up with her.

Later, Tarquin’s phone buzzed—a message from Lowell instead of a call.

"We play along. Have someone take Ridley to the hospital and keep her in isolation. Tell everyone she’s infected."

"Got it."

When Elysia came back, Tarquin told her about the virus—but left out where it came from and the bit about the mysterious man. No sense making her worry even more.

But Elysia didn’t waste a second—she immediately filled in Winona and Caroline.

The next morning, bright and early, Ridley was whisked off to the hospital.

Elysia and Winona, along with the rest of their crew, rushed over and put on a whole show—pretending Ridley was dangerously ill, acting devastated in front of everyone.

Once the hospital scene was over, Winona followed the plan she and Tarquin had cooked up—she marched straight home to confront Zane. No more pretending, no more subtlety—she was ready for a head-on battle.

It looked like she was going it alone, but in truth, the big boss with the scarred face and White were both with her. Following Evan’s orders, they were there to watch Winona’s back—no matter what happened.