Chapter 263
Hector poured another cup of tea, his expression unreadable. “Mr. Newton, I’m just as lost in all this as you are.”
The message was clear–he didn’t have a clue, either.
Honestly, it didn’t make sense. Oliver must’ve known about Theo, Patricia’s ex–husband, long before he and Patricia got involved. So why didn’t he take advantage when Theo was at his lowest? Why wait three whole years before making a move? Hector just couldn’t wrap his head around it.
Howard clearly didn’t buy any of it. Pacific Capital was run by the Padilla family, and Hector was one of the top guys. How could he possibly not know what was really going on?
“Mr. McKee-” Howard started.
“Don’t believe me?” Hector cut him off before he could finish. “There’s no reason for me to lie to you. We’re not enemies. But I can’t help you with this one.”
That pretty much ended the serious part of their conversation. For the next thirty minutes, they just chatted about random things–hobbies, family, anything except the real issue.
When Howard finally left, Hector couldn’t help but mutter, “Of all the people to cross, you had to pick Oliver. That’s just bad luck.”
Howard drove back to the Newton house, his thoughts tangled and his brow still furrowed. He found his grandmother in the living room and sat down beside her.
“Is something going on at work?” she asked, glancing up with concern. “You and Theo have both been scarce lately.”
“There’s been some trouble,” Howard admitted, letting out a heavy sigh. He filled her in as best he could.
Grandma listened, her face growing more worried with every word. “Ever since Patricia came back, both the Martins and us have been on edge. I don’t want to think badly of that girl, but…” She trailed off, her sigh lingering in the air. “She just brings trouble.”
“I’ll go see her tomorrow,” Howard said quietly.
“You really think Patricia’s involved in all this? But what does she have to do with the Padilla family?” Grandma asked, frowning.
“She doesn’t, not directly. But the Parsons family is really close with the Padillas. The Padillas run private hospitals overseas–if it weren’t for them, Patricia wouldn’t have been able to walk again.”
Grandma nodded, her mind drifting back. She’d heard plenty of stories about the Padilla family back in the day. When they moved everyone to Golden Bay, they left only a few businesses behind. Still, her own relatives had high positions in Blue Ridge and Riverdale–both places tied to the Padillas. The whole web of connections was way too complicated to explain in just a few sentences.
Howard sat there, lost in thought.
Suddenly, there was a loud thud at the front door.
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Charte 25
He went to check and saw Kally pate and shaky, stooping to pick up her punce from the floor
“Are you alright Howard neked worry clear in his voice
“Not really” Kelly mumbled
“Weren’t you at school today?‘ he pressed, his concern growing
Kelty teaned into him barely holding herself up. “I just want to go upstairs,” she whispered
“Mom’s in the living room.” he reminded her gently.
Kelly managed a weak greeting to Grandma, who took one look and waved her off, letting her know it was okay to rest
Upstairs, Kelly took a long shower, then collapsed on her bed, the back of her hand pressed to her forehead She looked completely drained, like she had nothing left to give.
Howard sat beside her and touched her forehead, checking for a fever. “Are you sick?”
“No,” she replied softly.
She wasn’t sick.
She was pregnant. And she’d been raped.
Kelly felt like she was drowning, desperate to disappear, but the words wouldn’t come out. The longer she kept her secret, the more trapped she felt.
She hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Howard, if… I mean, what if I…”
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