Chapter 16
He claimed he tried to explain the truth about the bet to me back then, but Robert had prevented him. Part of me wanted to believe him, but six years of pain and distrust weren’t easily erased.
My phone vibrated, and seeing Isolde’s number, I breathed a sigh of relief. “Hello?“.
“Sage!” Isolde’s excited voice came through.
“You’re at the restaurant, right? I’m on my way there, and I’ve got a surprise for you! Oh, and I found info on Robert. Just like you suspected, be definitely has connections to the Palmer family!”
My heart raced. Interesting. Is this surprise gift wrapped? Our code for asking if the information was verified.
“Shh, No spoilers,” Isolde teased. “Just wait there, okay? But yes, I have physical evidence, courtesy
of Blake.”
After ending the call, I noticed Caspian received a text that changed his expression, a flicker of hope crossing his features,
Our plan was unfolding step by step.
Isolde burst in fifteen minutes later, her characteristic energy lighting up the room.
Behind her came Blake Mitchell, Caspian’s teammate and her ex.
⠀ “Sage!” she rushed to me. I’ve got it! Actual proof of payments from Palmer to Robert!”
“How did you—‘
“Blake overheard Victoria’s father on the phone with someone named Robert, discussing keeping the lawyer in line. He got access to team financial records through a friend in accounting”
“Caspian’s our quarterback,” Blake explained. “The team’s trying to screw him ever. That’s not right.”
The simple Joyalty in his statement struck me. While I’d been busy distrusting Caspian, his teammates were standing by him.
Victoria reappeared at the entrance, stopping abruptly when she saw our gathered group.
“Well, isn’t this cozy,” she spot.
Caspian stood, positioning himself between Victoria and us. “It’s over, Victoria. We know everything “
“We have the bank records, the phone logs everything.” I added, stepping forward.
Victoria’s face paled slightly, but before she could respond, my phone buzzed with a text: Game byer, little
girl Look outside.
Standing across the street, watching us with the same cruel smile that had haunted my nightmares for six years, was Robert. Our eyes locked, and he cared his hand in a mocking wave,
He pushed through the restaurant doors, approaching with confident swagger. “Hello, little girl,” he said, his voice sending shivers down my spine. “Miss
met”
Six years of fear threatened to paralyze me, but something else rose up in its place -something band and sharp that had been forged in everything bå survived since graduation night.
“Actually, no,” I replied, my voice steadier than expected. “But I’ve been expecting you “
As I reached for bolde’s evidence, two police officers apprareil behind Robert, followed by Diana Wright herself
“Robert Miller,” the lead officer said, “we’d like to ask you some questions about breaking and entering, criminal threats, and harassment”
After they led Robert away, Diana approached me.
“The firm received an interesting call this morning. Seems the Warriors management is facing a major scandal involving illegal contract manipulation, Suddenly, they’re very interested in settling Mr. Drakes contract dispute favorably.”
“Nice work,” she added. “I expect you in the office tomorrow. Early”
Caspian’s Hand found mine, warm and solid. “You okay?”
I looked up at him, sering not the mat quarterback or the boy who’d broken my heart, but the man who’d stood beside me against my
“No” I admitted. “But I think I might be. Eventually.”
worst nightmare.
What none of us noticed was the figure watching from the shadows across the street. Not Victoria, who’d slipped away during the confrontation, but Rachel Millen – my stepsister and Robert’s daughter – her eyes cold with calculation as she observed the scene.
