Chapter 29 Chapter Twenty Nine

The fashion show is going well.The models walked gracefully on the stage.Each new style was met with rapturous applause.The ballroom was packed.There were no empty seats, and there were people standing behind. There was a sudden commotion backstage.Kendall turned to see what was going on.Two uniformed policemen were walking towards her. Kendall's heart started pounding. One of the officers said, "Are you Kendall Stanford?" "yes." "I'm arresting you for the murder of Martha Ryan." "No!" she screamed. "I didn't do it on purpose! It was an accident! Please! Please! Please!  …"

She woke up with a fright.The whole body is shaking. She had had this nightmare more than once.I can't go on like this anymore, Kendall thought.I can not!I have to do something. She is eager to talk to Mark, who has reluctantly returned to New York. "I have my own work, dear. They won't let me take any time off any more." "I understand, Mark. I'm back in New York in a few days too. I have to get ready for my fashion show." ※※※ Kendall was leaving for New York that morning when it occurred to her that there was something she had to do.That conversation with Woody had been very disturbing to her.He blamed Paige for his problems.

Kendall finds Peggy on the balcony. "Good morning," Kendall said. "Good morning." Kendall sat down in the chair across from her. "I need to talk to you." "what?" Kendall didn't know how to speak. "I spoke to Woody. He's not in good health. He... he thinks you've been supplying him with heroin." "He told you?" "yes." Paige was silent for a long time. "Well, that's true." Kendall's eyes widened suspiciously. "What? I... I don't get it. You told me you were trying to get him off drugs, why do you keep putting him on drugs?"

"You really don't understand, do you?" There was bitterness and acerbity in her tone. "You live in your own little circle. Well, let me tell you something, Miss Designer! I was just a waitress when Woody impregnated me. I never thought of Woody Stanford would marry me. Do you know why he married me? He thought he was better than his father by doing it. Yes, Woody married me, yes. But everyone looked down on me. When my brother Hope came When they came to our wedding, they acted like he was some kind of rot." "Peggy..." "To tell you the truth, I was shocked when your brother said he was going to marry me. I didn't even know if the baby I was carrying was his. I could have been a good wife for Woody, but everyone even Don't give me a chance. I'm still a waitress to them. I didn't abort the baby - I had a miscarriage. I thought maybe Woody would divorce me, but he didn't. How democratic I seem to be him sign. I tell you, ma’am—I don’t need that. In fact, I’m as good as you or anyone else.”

Every word is so powerful. "Did you ever love Woody?" Paige shrugged. "He was good looking and funny, but then he fell badly at a polo match and everything changed. The hospital gave him drugs, but when he came out they were hoping he wouldn't be addicted. One night He was sick, and I said, 'I'll give you some medicine.' After that, whenever he was sick, I gave him a little bit of heroin. Soon, he needed it whether he was sick or not. I My brother is a drug dealer and I can get all the heroin I need. I got Woody on heroin. Sometimes I tell him he's out of heroin just to watch him yell like- oh, How much Mr. Woodrow Stanford needs me! He's not so proud and majestic now! I get him to beat me up, and then he'll be horrified at what he's done, and come back with presents Beg me for mercy. You know I'm nothing when Woody isn't doing drugs, but I'm so pompous when he is. He could be a member of the Stanford family and I might just be a waitress, But I controlled him."

Kendall stared at her in terror. "That's right. Your brother has managed to get off drugs, and whenever things go wrong for him, his friends take him to rehab, and I'll visit him and watch the great Stanford endure hell. All kinds of torture. Every time he leaves the hospital, I will wait for him with my little joy. It's called tit for tat." Kendall was having trouble breathing. "You're a devil," she said slowly. "I want you to get the hell out of here." "Of course! I'd love to get out of this damn place!" She grinned. "Of course, I won't leave so cheaply, how much property will I get?"

"Anyway," Kendall said. "You're going to get a lot of money. Now get the hell out of here!" "Okay." Then she added in an affected tone: "I'm going to have my lawyer call your lawyer." ※※※ "Is she really going to leave me?" "yes." "That means..." "I know what that means, Woody. Can you handle this?" He looked at his sister and smiled. "I think so. Yes, I think I can." "I believe." He took a deep breath. "Thanks, Kendall. I'll never have the courage to get rid of her myself."

She smiled and said, "Otherwise, what do you want my sister to do?" ※※※ That afternoon, Kendall left for New York.The fashion show will be held in a week. The apparel industry is New York's largest industry.A successful fashion designer has an impact on the economy of the world.The flash of thought in the designer's mind has a wide and far-reaching effect on cotton farmers in India, textile workers in Scotland, and even silkworms in China and Japan.It would also have implications for the wool and silk industries.Donna Karens, Calvin Kleins, and Ralph Lawrence were all figures of major financial impact, and Kendall joined the ranks.There are rumors that she will receive the designer's highest honor award - the Kauti Award.

Kendall Stanford Leno lives a busy life.In September, she mainly looks at a large variety of textiles. In October, she chooses the materials she needs for new designs. December and January are used to design new styles, and February is used to modify and perfect. These styles, in March and set about preparing for her fall fashion show. Kendall Stanford Fashion Design is located at 550 Seventh Avenue, sharing a building with design masters such as Bill Silas and Oscar de la Renta.The next fashion show will be held in the marquee at Bryant Park, which can hold thousands of people. When Kendall arrived at her office, Nadine said to her: "I've got good news, the fashion show is sold out!"

"Thank you," Kendall said absently.Her mind was thinking of other things. "By the way, there's a letter from you on the table. It's from the postman." Hearing this, Kendall's whole body shook violently.She walked to the table and looked at the envelope.The return address is Wildlife Conservation Society, 3000 Park Avenue, New York, NY.She froze for a long time.There is no place like 3000 Park Avenue. With trembling hands, Kendall opened the letter. Not signed. Kendall stood there in horror, reading the letter over and over.Five million dollars!That's impossible, she thought.How could I have raised such a large sum of money so quickly, what a fool I was!

※※※ As soon as Mark got home that night, Kendall showed him the letter. "Five million dollars!" he roared. "It's ridiculous! What do they take you for?" "They knew who I was," Kendall said. "That's the problem. I must get some money quickly. But where can I get so much money?" "I don't know. I suppose the bank will give you a loan based on your inheritance, but I don't think that's a viable idea..." "Mark, it's about my life. Our life. Looks like the only thing I can think about is a loan." George Merryweather was the vice president in charge of the Union Bank of New York.He is in his sixties, and he has climbed from a small cashier to today's position.He is a very ambitious man.Someday I'll be on the board, he thought, and then... who knows?His thoughts were interrupted by his secretary. "Miss Kendall wants to see you." He trembled with joy.As a successful designer, she has been a reliable customer for many years, and now she is one of the richest women in the world.He had tried unsuccessfully to win Harry Stanford as a client for several years.And now... "Please come in," Merryweather said to the secretary. When Kendall walked into his office, Merryweather stood up and greeted him with a smile and an enthusiastic hand. "It's such a pleasure to meet you," he said. "Sit down, please. Have some coffee or something exciting?" "No thanks," Kendall said. "My deepest condolences on the passing of your father." His voice was serious but just right. "Thank you." "If you need anything, please tell me." He knew what she was going to say.She was going to give him her billions of dollars to invest... "I want to borrow some money." He blinked. "Sorry, what did you say?" "I need five million dollars." His mind was spinning rapidly.According to the press, her inheritance should be in excess of a billion dollars, even net of taxes... He smiled and said, "Well, I don't think there will be any problem. You know, you've been one of our best customers." .What are you willing to pledge as collateral?" "I am an heir in my father's will." He nodded. "Yes, I have read his will." "I want to use my share of property as collateral." "I understand. Has your father's will been verified?" "Not yet, but soon." "Fine," he said, leaning forward. "Of course we'll have to see a copy of that will." "Of course," said Kendall eagerly, "I can arrange it." "We need to have the exact amount of your inheritance." "I don't know the exact number," Kendall said. "Well, the rules in the bank are strict, you know. Probate will take some time. Come back after probate and I'll be happy to..." "I need this money right now," Kendall said desperately, almost screaming. "Oh, dear. Of course, we want to make it as convenient as possible for you." He raised his hands in a look of resignation. "But, regrettably, my hands are bound unless..." Kendall stood up: "Thank you." "once……" She's gone. ※※※ When Kendall returned to her office, Nadine said to her excitedly, "I need to talk to you." She didn't have the heart to listen to Nadine's troubles at all. "What is it?" Kendall asked. "My husband called me a few minutes ago. His company is stationing him in Paris. So I'm leaving too." "You're going to... to Paris?" Nadine beamed. "Yes! That's wonderful, don't you think? I'm sorry to leave you. But don't worry, I'll keep in touch with you." From this point of view, there is no doubt that it is Nadine.But there is no way to prove it.First her mink coat, now Paris.With five million dollars, she could live anywhere in the world.How do I handle this matter?If I told her I knew, she would deny it.Perhaps, she will charge more.Mark will know what to do. "Nadine..." One of Kendall's assistants walks in. "Kendall! I need to talk to you about the bridge catwalk. I don't think we have enough styles to..." Kendall couldn't take it anymore. "Excuse me, I'm not feeling well. I'm going home." Her assistant looked at her in surprise. "But right now...!" "Feel sorry……" Kendall is gone. ※※※ When Kendall walked into her apartment, it was empty.Mark works late and comes home late.Kendall looked around at all the beautiful furnishings in the room and thought: They will never stop until they get what they want.They will only be willing to suck my blood dry.Mark was right, I should have gone to the police that night.But now I'm a criminal.I have to confess.No, as long as my courage remains.She sat there, thinking about what it would do for her, for Mark, and for her family.Horrific headlines, a trial, and possibly jail time will follow.This would mean the end of her career.But I can't go on like this, Kendall thought.I will go crazy. Almost in a daze, she stood up and walked into Mark's study.She remembered that he always kept the typewriter on the shelf in the closet.She took the typewriter down, put it on the table, loaded the papers, and started typing. She stopped.The letter "E" is broken.