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 and composed 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 Stella 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 stipulation. “So, it’s all about inheritance?”

“Yes,” she said flatly. “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 Stella was on her way to fulfilling parts of those

conditions.”

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7

Chapter 138

Scarlett’s laughter was a bitter sound that cut through the air. “Of course, it's never that simple when it comes to the my family.

You see, the estate is just the tip of the iceberg. Stella 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 calculating gaze. “It’s all up to the Hayes family,

Evie. I know what it took for them. to climb the social ladder, 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 had come from old money, that Timothy

was naturally wealthy. But Scarlett’s revelation 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, replaced 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 Stella seems willing to pay to secure her place in the family.”

As the weight of Scarlett’s revelation 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 Stella 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 Stella wants, then? What is she after?”

Scarlett’s eyes gleamed with a knowing look. “Stella wants control, Evie. Control of the family’s empire and everything that

comes 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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A

“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 Stella 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 Stella was complex, and I needed to be prepared for whatever tactics she might employ. If Stella 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 Stella and Andy.”

I looked up from my papers, intrigued by her cryptic statement. “Stella 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 together

lately, whispering in corners and exchanging secretive glances. 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 Stella, 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. Stella and Andy’s clandestine 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 Stella’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.

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

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