Chapter 1600

Wenham pretended not to know about the incident, “I’m not involved in the affairs of the jewelry store.

Stella did not tell me anything, so I have no idea what’s going on. Please stop crying. I’m sure you don’t want your children to witness you like this. I’ll inquire about the situation when Stella returns. Trust me.

I won’t stand by her if she’s in the wrong.”

Chris’s wife, usually preoccupied with looking after the children and playing Mah-Jongg, lacked the sharpness of mind to see through Wenham’s act. Moreover, Wenham’s gentle demeanor and apparent lack of awareness left her uncertain. She cautiously glanced at Darcie.

Darcie’s expression remained stern as she addressed the situation, “Chris changed our material supplier in secret and padded his own pockets. What more is there to discuss? I’ve treated him well over the years. I thought he was diligent and reliable. I let him assist Stella, thinking it was a good way for him to earn some extra money. If his salary wasn’t enough, he should have communicated with me.

Instead, he decided to embezzle money. This is a complete disrespect to my authority.”

Chris’s wife started to sob, “Darcie, you don’t understand. Chris has his reasons for doing so. Business hasn’t been good at The Velvet after being handed over to the new management. Chris’s bonuses were greatly reduced.

Normally, we could endure this, but my in-laws fell ill and needed surgery. Chris’s monthly income only covers the mortgage and our daily expenses. We have no extra money to pay for the surgery.

“I wanted to call you to borrow some money, but he disagreed, saying he didn’t want to burden you and create conflict in your family. He said he’d figure something out. I never expected he would do this. If I’d known, I would’ve sold the house and stopped him from making this mistake.”

Tears streamed down the woman’s face, “Darcie, Wenham, please. I know Chris has betrayed your trust and deserves heavy punishment, but it’s a matter of life and death. I don’t expect you to forgive him, but can you give him a chance, considering his filial piety? My family and I will find a way to repay the money he took from you. Please.”

Darcie frowned and looked at her husband, “Wenham, that worthless fellow has committed such a foolish act. I shouldn’t advocate for him, but these two children are still very young. I was also a single mother once. I know how hard it will be for her to raise two children on her own.

“Chris’s parents helped me a lot when I was in university. He’s their only son. If anything happens to him, especially now that they’re older and in poor health, I wouldn’t be able to face them. Can you please call Stella and ask her to be lenient? I’ll bear the responsibility and cover her losses.”

Wenham thought about it with his brows furrowed. His eyes occasionally darted toward the door, ‘Where is that rascal?’

“Wenham,” Darcie called out after noticing his silence.

Before she could continue, Trevor’s voice echoed from afar, “Darcie, you’re also a member of the Saun family. This loss shouldn’t fall on you.”

Darcie was stunned while Wenham let out a sigh of relief. He had nearly exposed himself. “Why have you come back so late?” He cleared his throat and asked.

Trevor glanced at his father, who clearly knew the answer to that, before calmly stating, “Stella’s on a business trip. She asked me to come and deliver a message for her.”

He looked at Darcie as he continued, “She mentioned that she knows Chris has a close relationship with Darcie. Since Darcie might not be able to handle this matter herself, Stella said she’ll take care of it. She’s determined to see this through. She told me that if Chris’s family comes to cause a scene, she wants us to pretend not to know anything and place the blame on her. She doesn’t want to risk damaging Darcie’s relationship with her family.”

Wenham heaved a sigh, “That child is so considerate.”

Darcie’s gaze turned serious. Stella was trying to sabotage her backup plan.

Chris’s wife could not sit still any longer, “Darcie, Wenham, you can’t just ignore this. Chris did this because he wanted money for my in-laws’ medical expenses. Can’t you forgive him just this once?”

She pulled her two children close and continued, “Quick, kneel and bow to them. If you do, Dad will come back.

Otherwise, you might never see him again.”

The older of the two children was only six years old. At the mention of not seeing their dad, they both dropped to their knees and started crying.

Wenham felt overwhelmed at the sight of the two children sobbing.

Meanwhile, Trevor was as composed as ever. “Are you sure the money your husband embezzled was for your in-laws’ medical expenses?” He asked.

Chris’s wife hesitated, avoiding eye contact. With a shaky voice, she said, “Of course. He only did so because the company’s performance was poor in the past two months, and bonuses couldn’t be paid out. He made a foolish mistake in a moment of desperation…” She started choking up again.