Chapter 138


    The brisk winter air stung my cheeks as I arrived at cafe. Determination coursed through my veins


    like a steady heartbeat. I needed answers, and I knew Scarlett was the one who could provide


    them.


    Scarlett and I had arranged to meet in a quiet, out–of–the–way cafe where we could talk privately.


    As I waited for her to arrive, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. Scarlett was no stranger to


    the Hayes family, and her knowledge ran deep.


    When Scarlett finally walked through the cafe door, she looked as regal andposed as ever. Her


    long, auburn hair cascaded down her back, and her emerald–green eyes held a glint of curiosity as


    she approached our table. We exchanged a polite greeting, but it was clear that tension simmered


    beneath the


    surface.


    “Evie,” she began, her voice cool and measured, “I understand you’re rather curious about our


    family’s affairs.”


    I didn’t waste any time getting to the point. “I want to understand why Ste is so determined to get


    her hands on the estate, Scarlett. There’s more to this than meets the eye, and I want the truth.”


    Scarlett’s lips curled into a sardonic smile. “Ah, the truth. That’s a slippery thing, isn’t it? But I


    suppose you’re entitled to some answers.”


    I leaned forward, my voice earnest. “Start with the will. What did it specify about the estate?”


    Scarlett’s gaze hardened, and she fixed me with a piercing stare. “The will, my dear Evie, was quite


    clear. It stated that the estate would go to the firstborn Fitzgerald child who married and had a child


    of their own.”


    I frowned, puzzled by the simplicity of the stiption. “So, it’s all about inheritance?”


    “Yes,” she said tly. “I am the first born, and I had the child. As you can see, however, there is no


    husband.”


    “Oh,” I said softly. From the direction things were going, it seemed that Ste was on her way to


    fulfilling parts of those conditions.”


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    7


    Scarlett’sughter was a bitter sound that cut through the air. “Of course, it’s never that simple


    when ites to the my family. You see, the estate is just the tip of the iceberg. Ste has her


    sights set on something much bigger.”


    I leaned in closer, my curiosity piqued. “What do you mean, something bigger?”


    Scarlett leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowing as she regarded me with a calcting gaze.


    “It’s all up to the Hayes family, Evie. I know what it took for them. to climb the socialdder, to


    amass the wealth and power they now hold.”


    My heart raced as I processed her words. I had always believed that the Hayes family hade


    from old money, that Timothy was naturally wealthy. But Scarlett’s revtion hinted at something far


    more sinister.


    “What are you saying, Scarlett?” I asked, my voice trembling.


    Scarlett’s expression darkened, and she leaned in closer, her voice low and conspiratorial. “The


    truth, Evie, is that they were not always wealthy. In fact, they were far from it. Their family lived a


    modest life until Timothy’s father, Kamran, made a shady deal with our father.”


    I felt a chill run down my spine as I listened to Scarlett’s words. The image I had held of the Hayes


    family as old–money aristocrats crumbled before me, reced by a much darker reality.


    “So, their wealth is built on corruption?” I asked, my voice filled with disbelief.


    Scarlett nodded, her gaze never wavering. “Yes, Evie. Kamran’s deal with Sam. Fitzgerald opened


    the doors to a world of wealth and privilege, but it came at a price–a price that Ste seems willing


    to pay to secure her ce in the family.”


    As the weight of Scarlett’s revtion settled over me, I couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of


    unease. The Hayes family’s rise to power had been built on a foundation of deception and deceit,


    and now Ste was determined to reap the benefits. That level of tact could work its way into the


    legal system.


    I took a deep breath, my mind racing with thoughts and questions. “What is it that Ste wants,


    then? What is she after?”


    Scarlett’s eyes gleamed with a knowing look. “Ste wants control, Evie. Control of the family’s


    empire and everything thates with it. She knows that the estate is just a small piece of the


    puzzle, but it’s a piece that gives her leverage.”


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    “What can we do, Scarlett?” I asked, my voice filled with determination. “If we were able to take the


    estate, what would stop her from pushing further.”


    Scarlett leaned in closer, her voice a low whisper. “We need to expose the truth, Evie.”


    Expose the truth?


    As Scarlett’s words echoed in my mind, I couldn’t help but wonder how much this had affected


    Timothy. Had he been aware of the shady dealings that had propelled his family into wealth and


    power? It was a question that gnawed at me, threatening to consume my thoughts.


    But I knew I couldn’t afford to be distracted. My case against Ste was too important, and I needed


    to focus on gathering evidence to expose the truth, even if he was caught in the crossfire.


    Pushing aside my personal concerns, I returned my attention to the legal documents that Scarlett


    handed me then. The case against Ste wasplex, and I needed to be prepared for whatever


    tactics she might employ. If Ste had a history of getting what she wanted by any means


    necessary, I could potentially take the biggest hit in this battle.


    Just as I was deep in thought, Scarlett tapped her nails on the table, drawing my attention. “You


    know, Evie,” she said, her voice tinged with a hint of mischief, “there’s something strange going on


    between Ste and Andy.”


    I looked up from my papers, intrigued by her cryptic statement. “Ste and Andy? Who’s Andy?”


    “Timothy’s brother, who is also power hungry mind you,” Scarlett quipped.


    “What have they been doing?”


    Scarlett leaned in closer, her eyes filled with a mischievous glint. “I’ve noticed that they’ve been


    spending a lot of time togethertely, whispering in corners and exchanging secretive nces. It’s


    as if they’re plotting something.”


    My curiosity was piqued, and I leaned in closer, urging Scarlett to continue. “Do you have any idea


    what they might be up to?”


    Scarlett shrugged, her lips curling into a sly smile. “I can’t say for sure, but knowing Ste, she’s


    always looking for ways to get ahead. And if Andy is involved, it’s


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    bound to be something devious.”


    As Scarlett’s words hung in the air, I couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of unease. Ste and


    Andy’s ndestine activities were a cause for concern, and I knew that I needed to keep a close


    eye on their actions. If this was the dirt Scarlett was talking about, the kind that could muddy Ste’s


    image, then I needed it more


    than ever.


    I returned my attention to the legal documents, my mind racing with thoughts of the case ahead. I


    was determined to see this through to the end. The secrets of the Fitzgerald and Hayes families


    were like a tangled web, and it was up to me to unravel them and expose the truth.


    “I’ll keep an eye out,” I told her, tucking away the documents.


    Scarlett smiled sweetly. “I knew it would peak your interest.”


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