A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 354

“Mom, I just… I have no idea what’s really going on here. What if that person is actually the reason you passed out? And I went and thanked them like an idiot–what then? I did all this for you, Mom!”

Carlson listened in silence.

“There’s a card on my nightstand. It’s got about twenty grand on it–take it.” The old woman’s voice was flat, as if she’d seen it all before.

Chester’s face lit up, his eyes gleaming. He couldn’t suppress the grin creeping across his lips.

“Mom, I knew you always took care of me best.”

Carlson had long since grown used to his mother’s inexplicable favoritism toward his younger brother. He would have brushed it off as usual, but this time she hadn’t even asked him for help with the money. That, he found a little surprising.

“Just in case, I think I’ll have the doctor come by and check on you again.” He stood and, as he opened the door, found two police officers waiting outside.

Without a word, Carlson stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind him.

“Is Chester here?” one of the officers asked.

“My mother just woke up. Any stress could be bad for her right now.”

The officers nodded, understanding. The three of them walked to the end of the corridor, out of earshot of those inside.

“Is there something I can help with? I’m Chester’s older brother.”

“Chester was involved in a hit–and–run two days ago. You reached a private settlement, and since the victim didn’t seem seriously hurt at the time, there was no prosecution. But we’ve just received a report: the victim suffered a brain hemorrhage and died suddenly. The doctors say it was because of a head injury from the accident that went untreated. Now the family wants to press charges. We need to bring Chester in for a statement.”

Carlson pressed his lips into a hard line. Suddenly, there was a sharp clatter–the three of them turned to see a kettle rolling slowly across the floor, and Chester standing there, panic written across his face.

As they stared at him, Chester didn’t hesitate–he bolted.

The officers sprang into action and chased after him immediately.

“Idiot!” Carlson felt a vein pulsing in his temple. It wasn’t bad enough that Chester wouldn’t cooperate–now he was running, practically begging for a couple years in prison.

“What’s going on?” A woman’s voice called out timidly. She’d come out of the room after hearing the commotion, her heart pounding as she stared at the kettle on the floor, a sense of dread rising in her chest.

“Hmph. This is what you get for trying to get a free ride–now it’s all blown up!” Carlson snorted. He could see it all too clearly: they’d already paid to make this go away, but now, at the worst possible moment, it had come back to haunt them. And he knew exactly who to blame.

He didn’t bother to see where Chester was headed and went back into the hospital room, leaving the woman standing lost in the hallway. She stood there, uncertain, before running toward the exit to look for her husband.

“What happened?” The old woman’s words were drowsy–anesthesia still fogging her mind.

“This time, I can’t protect him.”

The hospital room was eerily quiet, broken only by the steady beeping of machines. The old woman was silent for a long time–so long that Carlson thought she’d fallen asleep. Then, at last, she let out a weary sigh.

“He’s always been your burden… But this time, let him pay for his own mistakes.”

Carlson said nothing.

At the Whitley Group, only Cole’s office was still lit.

“Mr. Whitley, the money’s been transferred.” If Carlson could pay to sweep things under the rug, Cole could just as easily pay to drag it all back out into the open.

After all, this was justice Chester had long owed.

“Oh, I’ll be out of the office tomorrow. Can you cover the summary meeting? All the files are here–keep an eye on these projects. I’ve noted the changes that need to be made; have the team revise accordingly.” Cole handed a thick folder to Larkin Yardley.

“Yes, sir.”

08:02

It’s late. Head home and get some rest.” Cole rolled his neck, shut down his

computer, and grabbed his keys, switching off the last light in the building as he left.

The next day at noon, Cole was waiting at Alessia’s classroom door, arriving just as the bell rang and she stepped out.