Marrying my secret admirer after my husband's fake death novel Chapter 128

Salome strolled through Northcrest’s largest mall, swiping Beckett’s credit card with all the flair of someone who knew she’d never have to check the balance. Behind her, the bodyguard’s arms sagged under the weight of designer shopping bags, each one a testament to her morning’s indulgence.

She was practically glowing with satisfaction when her phone rang–Adah’s name flashing on the screen. Salome rolled her eyes. If her mother was calling, it could only be about money again.

She answered with a sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Mom, it’s not the fifteenth yet. I always transfer your money on the fifteenth. It’s barely the start of the month!”

Adah’s voice came through in a panicked rush. “Salome! You need to get home right now–something terrible’s happened! Your brother, he’s in trouble!”

Salome had fielded calls like this before. What could possibly have happened to Jeffry this time? Lost all his money at the casino again?

Her patience was thin. “Mom, I told him ages ago–he has a limit each month. If he gambles it away, that’s his problem. I’m not an ATM.”

But Adah was frantic. “No, it’s not that! Your brother’s been beaten up–blood everywhere! Someone dumped him at the front door in broad daylight. I was about to leave the house and there he was, sprawled out like a corpse!”

Now Salome’s heart lurched. She dropped the luxury handbag she’d been eyeing and strode toward the parking lot, already dialing for more information. “Who did he get into trouble with? Is he at the hospital? How bad is it?”

Jeffry was Adah’s only son, and though he’d never amounted to much, Adah doted on him like he was a precious gem. Now that he’d been beaten half to death, Adah was nearly hysterical.

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“He’s already at the hospital. I’m heading home to pack some things for him. You get to the hospital too! Oh God, what are we going to do? Whoever did this wanted him dead!”

Salome hurried through the crowd by the elevator, shoving past people without a second thought. “Move! Out of the way!”

People turned, rolling their eyes. One woman sneered, “Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you get to act like a brat. Keep it up and your kid’ll be lucky to make it to delivery.”

Salome shot her a withering glare. “Please. The bottle I buy for my baby probably costs more than your yearly salary.”

Turning to her bodyguard, she snapped, “Are you just going to stand there? Block them off! What am I paying you for?”

The bodyguard immediately stepped in front, creating a clear path between Salome and the disgruntled shoppers. In that moment, Salome basked in her sense of superiority. This–this power over ordinary people was exactly why she endured so much humiliation with the Vance family. Money was intoxicating, and while the Vances might not be Northcrest’s absolute elite, they were still far above everyone else.

She slid into the back seat of her car, annoyed at the way the bodyguard fumbled with her shopping bags. “For what I pay you, you’d think you’d have a little more sense. Do you not see I’m in a hurry?”

The bodyguard ducked his head, hurriedly stowed the bags, and rushed to the driver’s seat, terrified she’d fire him for even a second’s delay.

As the car sped from the parking lot, Salome juggled her phone, firing off questions to Adah as she tried to get a clear picture of what had happened.

Adah, now in the Vale family’s car and heading toward the hospital, was equally frantic.

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