If that were true, she had essentially just sabotaged her own lifeline. The realization made the color drain from Xenia's face.
"What are you thinking about?" Darleen asked sharply.
"Nothing," Xenia lied, shaking her head quickly. "Mom, do you think Starla has anything else planned for us?"
This was Xenia's biggest fear. The apartment was claustrophobic, but it was paradise compared to the torment they had endured at the estate. Besides, they had been relegated to a damp basement there. This place was a massive upgrade. If Starla was truly finished with them, they could eventually settle into a quiet, albeit poor, life. But the terror that Starla might return to deliver a final, fatal blow kept Xenia awake.
"What else could she possibly do? Because of her little crusade, we've lost everything," Darleen sneered. "Watching us struggle at the bottom of the barrel is exactly what she wants, isn't it?"
They both knew Starla had enough evidence to legally ruin them. If she wanted to push further, she easily could. But Darleen suspected Starla wouldn't bother. Seeing them humiliated and destitute was likely far more satisfying.
"You're right. I just hope she leaves us alone from now on," Xenia whispered. Their time at the estate had been an unrelenting nightmare. She prayed it was finally over.
"Where do you think Brinley ended up?" Xenia asked.
Darleen's face contorted with disgust. "Why are you bringing up that little tramp? Where could she possibly go? Harriet Seabrook only cares about money. Once the leverage is gone, she wouldn't even spit on her own flesh and blood. And Felix Fowler? Forget it. He won't lift a finger for her. She has absolutely nowhere to turn."
In the grand scheme of misery, Brinley was undoubtedly worse off than they were.
Xenia nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Harriet is useless, and Felix won't give her the time of day. She's probably sleeping under a bridge right now."
Xenia had watched Felix operate for a long time. She kicked herself for not seeing his true colors sooner. But Brinley was reaping exactly what she had sown.

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