Chapter 46: We Have A Problem
The car ride back to Jake's house was suffocatingly quiet. Margaret sat rigid in the passenger seat, her sharp gaze burning into Jake's figure. Her fury was palpable, simmering just beneath her poised exterior.
How could he be so stupid? What was he thinking doing what he did? How could he? Margaret mused, her anger barely concealed.
When they finally arrived and stepped into the apartment, Margaret couldn't hold back any longer. She slammed her bag onto the coffee table, spinning around to face her son.
"Do you have any idea what you've just done?" she hissed, her voice sharp enough to slice through his lingering panic.
Jake flinched, loosening his tie as if the room had suddenly become too warm. "Mother, I—"
"Don't 'Mother' me!" she snapped, stepping closer. "You showed your hand too soon, Jake. If you weren't prepared to take Alex down in one blow, why did you even bother? Half measures only make you look incompetent."
Jake's jaw tightened. He wanted to protest, to remind her that Alex hadn't been in town for years so he never knew Alex could figure out what was going on, but he knew better than to argue with Margaret when she was in this mood.
"He baited me," Jake said instead, trying to steady his voice. "I didn't expect him to bring out that video or those pictures. It's obvious he's been plotting this for a while."
"So have you, yet, you let him get the upper hand!" Margaret spat, her voice laced with disdain. She crossed her arms, pacing the room. "You underestimated him, Jake. That was your first mistake. Your second? Assuming Vanessa could ever be useful without proper control. And now? Now, you've left me in the embarrassing position of defending you without even knowing what ammunition Alex has left. What would Claire think of you or me now?"