Chapter 68 (Chapter 69): A Shattered Inheritance
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Wendy soaks in a bathtub with Russell, euphoric after Douglas's death. She believes Millie will take the blame, and she expects a massive inheritance. When Joe Bendeck calls, Wendy adopts a condescending tone, but Joe reveals that Douglas changed his will the previous month, leaving everything to charity. Wendy erupts in disbelief and rage, threatening to fight the will. Joe tells her she must vacate the penthouse and island house because they will be sold. Just as Wendy processes this blow, her phone rings again—this time from the New York Police Department.
Key Events
- Wendy and Russell share a celebratory bath after Douglas’s murder; Wendy feels triumphant.
- Joe Bendeck calls; Wendy acts arrogantly, threatening to remove him as executor.
- Joe informs Wendy that Douglas changed his will one month ago, leaving all assets to charity.
- Wendy learns she will inherit nothing; Joe says she must vacate the properties.
- The chapter ends with an incoming call from the NYPD, suggesting new legal trouble.
Character Development
- Wendy (The Housemaid, now revealed as the killer’s accomplice/mastermind): Her smug confidence crumbles when she learns Douglas outmaneuvered her. Her greed and controlling nature are exposed as she rages against the will change.
- Russell: Passive and drunk, he offers no support or insight. His role remains that of an enabler.
- Joe Bendeck: Becomes an agent of justice, coldly delivering the news. His contempt for Wendy is evident but professional.
- Douglas (mentioned): Even in death, he takes revenge—changing his will based on his final assessment of Wendy.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Greed and Consequence: Wendy’s elaborate plan to gain wealth collapses because Douglas anticipated her betrayal. The will change symbolizes that scheming does not guarantee reward.
- Justice and Irony: Wendy delighted in Millie taking the fall, but now faces her own losses. The NYPD call suggests the justice she evaded may finally catch up.
- Power Dynamics: Wendy relished being Joe’s boss; the reversal leaves her powerless, stripped of both money and status.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter delivers the first major twist in the denouement: Wendy’s victory is hollow. By revealing Douglas’s last act, the narrative subverts the expected “happy ending” for the antagonist. It also raises the stakes—the NYPD call implies that Millie may have evidence implicating Wendy, or that Wendy herself becomes a suspect. The chapter redefines the story’s moral landscape and sets up the final confrontation.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Wendy believe she will inherit Douglas’s entire estate?
She attended the original will signing months after their wedding, where Douglas left everything to her. She never considered he might have changed it during their separation, especially after he threatened to leave her nothing.
2. How does Joe Bendeck deliver the news about the will, and what does his tone reveal?
Joe speaks with bitter satisfaction, quoting Douglas’s reasons (“lying, manipulative bitch”). His tone shows he dislikes Wendy and is relieved to see her plans fail, yet he remains professional as executor.
3. What purpose does the NYPD phone call serve at the end of the chapter?
It creates immediate suspense and suggests that Wendy’s involvement in Douglas’s murder may be under investigation. The call disrupts her illusion of control and hints at legal consequences to come.