Hera felt like she might break down at any moment. Her frustration was palpable, and every nerve in her body screamed with anxiety.
Nash… he was so unreliable!
If she had known this would happen, she wouldn’t have stepped forward to make a scene. She would’ve stayed quiet, kept her mouth shut, and not embarrassed herself in front of everyone.
Nash, however, turned his attention toward the group of law enforcement officers standing nearby. “Any updates on the case?” he asked, his tone serious.
A middle-aged officer, probably in his forties, answered, “It’s a traffic accident. The driver was drunk and couldn’t stop the car in time.”
The female officer beside him added, “The driver’s 42, with 20 years of experience. He was driving a small truck from a renovation company, filled with construction materials.”
“Has he been through a physical examination?” Nash asked, his voice calm but insistent.
The middle-aged officer nodded. “We did an alcohol test, and he was definitely drunk. If anyone refuses to cooperate with the test, we take them to the hospital for a blood test.”
Cain, who had been listening from the side, sneered. “You don’t even understand the basics. A real bumpkin from the mountains, huh?”
Nash flicked a glance at Cain, his expression barely changing. “Old man, was I talking to you?”
Cain was stunned for a moment, then his face twisted with anger. “Bastard! Who do you think you’re talking to?” he spat, his voice filled with contempt.
He was Herman’s cousin, and even Hubert and Harrison wouldn’t dare to speak to him like that. How dare a “bumpkin” treat him so disrespectfully?
Nash didn’t pay him any more mind. He turned back to the officers. “I once encountered a case where a driver used alcohol to cover up a murder. I suggest you investigate thoroughly.”
A slight shiver ran through the officers at his words, and they exchanged a look. Finally, the middle-aged officer spoke, “We’ll take him to the hospital for a full examination immediately.”
Without another word, they hurried off, leaving the manor before nightfall.
Later, Harrison arranged for the bodies of Hannah and her nephew to be sent to the funeral parlor for cremation. Lauren, in a final act of care, transferred 400,000 dollars in relief funds to their families through the company account.
That evening, while Lauren was having dinner, she received an unexpected call. She didn’t speak about it, but her face immediately drained of color.
Hera, concerned, asked, “Is it about Drake Group?”
Lauren, without looking at her daughter, took a long sip of her red wine and remained silent.
The tension in the air was thick.
Hera pressed again, “Mom?”
Lauren didn’t respond right away. Finally, she set her glass down and spoke in a calm but strained voice, “Helena came to see me today. She demanded that I kneel before her—otherwise, the Watsons will end the partnership with Drake Group.”
Hera’s voice wavered with frustration. “Mom, I’m so sorry. I didn’t handle it well. I couldn’t do anything else!”
Harrison, already on edge, slammed his palm down on the table. “They’ve gone too far. This is pure bullying!”
Hera, on the verge of tears, shook her mother’s arm, pleading, “Please, don’t blame me, Mom. I didn’t know what else to do!”
Nash, who had been quiet up until now, felt his heart soften. The distress in her voice… it almost melted him.
But it was a shame that her soft, desperate pleas weren’t directed at him.
Lauren sighed, taking another sip of wine. “You did the right thing. I don’t blame you, Hera…”
Her daughter was her treasure, after all, and she would never blame her. But the situation was dire.
Drake Group was one of the top ten enterprises in Jonford, and having their partnership was Baroque’s last hope. Losing it now, when they were so close to salvation, felt like a crushing blow.
Nash stood up from the table with a smile. “Uncle, Aunt, I’m full. I’m going out for a walk. You two take your time.”
Once outside, Nash pulled out his phone and dialed Theo.
“Nash,” Theo’s voice was quick and anxious on the other end, “I swear, this was an accident! My father-in-law’s been suffering from syphilis. We went abroad for treatment, and I had my wife handle things. She’ll be going to the Lewises tomorrow…”
Theo wasted no time and immediately began explaining the situation.
Nash didn’t waste a second. He hung up the phone and was about to head back into the villa when suddenly, a gust of wind swept past him.
He paused, a shiver running down his spine. Turning around, he noticed a figure standing beneath a tree, across the private road.
A large, imposing man with an air of danger about him. This man was no ordinary person—he was above Stage Nine, a martial arts master.
Nash narrowed his eyes, his voice steady despite the tension. “Who are you?”
Skip to content