Evelyn marched back and forth pondering on what to do next. "Her memory loss will benefit us but we have to move fast. We have to buy the building before someone else realises the value. When redevelopment in the area starts we will score big with this investment. It is only Veronica not wanting to loan us the money."
Beth ignored Evelyn since she had her problems to worry about.
Did Veronica forget everything or was she lying since nothing could have been proven?
'Why didn't she hit her head on a rock?' Beth wondered as then her problems would have been over with. 'She doesn't know.'
"Beth, are you listening to me or are you like your uncle to be focused on the TV?" Evelyn questioned, her hands resting on her hips.
Beth smiled, her concern masked. "I am listening to you. I was just wondering about Veronica's accident. Had she listened to us, she wouldn't have fallen. Who told her to go near water when she can't swim?"
"Of course, she wouldn't have but she never listens. She always went against my advice and now, look at her. She almost lost her life. The little brat didn't plan to leave anything for us. Her lawyer has been avoiding us," said Evelyn.
For all the years she spent taking care of an ungrateful child was it too much to ask for Veronica to leave something in the will for her? It wasn't like Veronica had any children to be concerned about where the money would go.
"Liam is already wealthy. What does he need to do with Veronica's money? I would have been better off if you had married him," Evelyn said, knowing Beth would have taken care of her. "I wouldn't need to be searching for money to buy the building."
"I would take care of you. You took me in after I lost my parents. I would buy you any building you wanted in a heartbeat," Beth replied, filling Evelyn's ear with what she wanted to hear. "I lucked out by not going to college with Veronica. The tuition was expensive so I didn't want to ask but little did I know she was going there to find a wealthy husband."
Beth thought this was well played by Veronica. While everyone else had been trying to get close to Liam at parties, Veronica was one step ahead to sit in class with him.
"I feel bad for Veronica. There was all that gossip about how he was seeing another woman. She will be sad if she remembers so I hope she doesn't remember," Beth wished, crossing her finger.
A terrible secret was meant to be buried with Veronica's accident.
Beth toyed with her fingers as she thought about her role in it. She wasn't alone but she was the one who could face the most trouble should it get out.
Evelyn rubbed her temple. "I can't talk about his affairs unless it would be worth something if we threaten to reveal it. She never knew how to keep a man, especially one like that. He has everything in the world at his fingertips. What could she offer a man like him to not make him step out on her?"
"Veronica is beautiful-"
"Is beauty all that matters?" Evelyn yelled, annoyed by the answer. "Look at the tabloids and social media. Those men are caught with a woman every other day. They want obedient partners and Veronica refuses to be one. What man would want to stay with a woman long when she doesn't help her family? Veronica doesn't have a kind heart."
"How did she get him?" Evelyn wondered, still confused by the union years later.
Evelyn stared at her husband Henry who didn't show any interest in their conversation. He was too busy looking at a sports broadcast instead of thinking about the building.
How was it that she worked hard to snag a man who could support her, and turn her into a housewife only to then be picking for scraps while her ungrateful daughter fell right into the hands of someone who could take care of her forever?
"Henry-"
"Be quiet and just get her to give us the money for the building. If it sells before I can get to it, don't even think of stepping back into this house. I've been bragging to the mayor about a big investment. What will I look like if I don't have it by then?" Henry asked, turning off the television when he finished. "All they keep showing is your daughter."
Evelyn cleared her throat. "I should have taught her better but you didn't like the idea of sending her off to schools-"
"I didn't know when I was marrying you there would be a little girl involved. I couldn't put her in places where she didn't belong. I told you to keep her out of sight but prepare her for if there was a moment to marry her for a good business deal. You've failed the marriage matchmaking for Beth," Henry said, disappointed.
Beth stood up to go to her uncle's side. "Uncle, you can't be so hard on her. She's done her best for me. I forget I had another mother before thanks to Aunt Evelyn. It's Veronica who isn't grateful for what you did for her."
"Maybe she's angry you didn't pay her tuition and she had to live in a small apartment but she's the one who chose to move out. Be nice to your wife," Beth pleaded, tugging on his arm like she did as a child. "I will take care of Veronica. She must be confused right now, not knowing who to trust."
Henry's gaze softened because of Beth. She was all that was left to remind him of his brother. Evelyn would have had more time to take care of Beth if she had sent Veronica off somewhere. He would have gladly paid for her to be at a boarding school where he didn't need to see her.
Henry walked off to leave the two. He was tired of seeing Veronica's face plastered over any screen he looked at because she miraculously woke up when they all expected her to die.
"Don't worry. He won't stay angry with you for long," Beth promised, soothing Evelyn by rubbing her arms. "I can get Veronica to regret not offering you help. I know the woman in the rumours with Liam. It shouldn't be too hard to approach her."
Beth continued, "You saw Liam today. He finally wants to play the role of a good husband now that Veronica doesn't remember anything. How much do you think he would pay to stop it from reaching her ears? And you need to think about how his mother would love to get Veronica from his side now. You should meet with her."
"That is true. I get upset just thinking about how much she offered us to get Veronica away from him, but that fool stayed with him. Before I meet his mother, try getting close to Veronica to get Liam this time. That marriage isn't going to last. He'll need a shoulder right now," said Evelyn.
Evelyn wished Beth had been the daughter she was blessed with as she could always count on her instead of Veronica.
'Forget those matchmaking dates. I want you with him," Evelyn decided.