Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Three nights after pleading guilty, Quentin took his own life by slamming his head against the wall.

He died on the way to the hospital, despite all attempts to save him.

News of his death spread like wildfire, sending shockwaves through Northborough's elite circles.

Just as everyone was convinced the Lockwood family was finished, the story took a dramatic turn.

Saul, who had been comatose and paralyzed for years, suddenly woke up.

And if that wasn't shocking enough, the very first thing Saul did after regaining consciousness was announce that he had a son out of wedlock.

On the third day after Quentin's death, at the Lockwood Group's shareholders' meeting, Saul arrived in a wheelchair, pushed by his newly-revealed son, Barrie Lockwood.

Right there, Saul transferred a portion of his shares-along with Quentin's entire share—to Barrie, making him the largest shareholder in the hospital and the new head of the Lockwood family.

Rumors swirled on the street. Some whispered that Quentin's death had been orchestrated by Barrie. Others claimed Saul's sudden stroke and years-long coma had been triggered by a bitter falling out with Quentin, that Quentin's ruthless power grab had left a mess Saul was now cleaning up. There were even stories about Saul's wild youth-that Barrie was only one of several illegitimate children, most of them daughters, but the Lockwoods never cared much for girls; they were left to live their lives outside the family, forgotten.

Gossip ran rampant-some true, some not-but only the Lockwoods knew what really happened.

What no one could deny was this: Quentin was dead, Saul had made a miraculous recovery and reclaimed the family's power, and Barrie had been officially acknowledged as his heir.

Every last Lockwood holding remained firmly in the family's grasp, leaving the other shareholders in the dust.

Because Quentin had died under a cloud of disgrace, his funeral was kept simple.

Saul buried him beside his mother, so that mother and son could rest together forever.

the Lockwood family attended the

course, Rosita and Lauren

a cold, somber affair-no one from the Lockwood family shed

family's reins are in Barrie's hands now," Saul declared

legs were useless, Saul's health seemed to improve with each passing day since

him, her hands resting lightly

him—there was nothing for Lauren to do. But now that

simmered beneath Lauren's calm exterior, but

in

Barrie bore a striking resemblance to Saul-a quiet

he had

stole a glance at him, thinking to herself how much he looked like Saul in his younger

wonder Saul favored

had kept her head down from the moment she

"Rosita, it's been years-you've grown into a

his words, Rosita's hands clenched

didn't

Though he smiled,

"Rosita's a star now, and she and Stewart Wentworth the

eyebrow, giving Rosita a long, meaningful

our Rosita would do so well for herself. It makes me proud

Wentworths are Northborough's most prominent family. Rosita, you should

getting married, your mother and I ought

won't dare treat you

her eyes