Chapter 190
Chapter 190 A Whispered Betrayal
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“You’re too kind,” the man said. “A guy your age? You’re in your prime. And come on, it’s just the Macdonald family business that hit a wall–it’s not the end of the world. Don’t you still have the Clarks behind you?
“From what I hear, the Clarks these days are just as solid as the Macdonalds used to be. Honestly, with the resources they have now, pulling off a comeback for you would be a piece of cake,” the man added, raising an eyebrow suggestively.
“The Clarks? Which Clarks are you talking about?” Carter frowned, looking genuinely confused.
“Mrs. Macdonald’s family, of course. Who else?”
Carter shook his head firmly. “Then your intel is wrong. That family doesn’t have that kind of reach–no way. I’m sure of it.”
“You really don’t believe me? My sources are pretty solid,” the man pressed.
Seeing his earnest expression, Carter fell silent, his brow furrowed in thought.
Leaning in a little, the man dropped his voice. “Word is, the Clarks have been quietly snapping up a few small workshops lately. Sounds like they’re planning a pretty big expansion.”
“Expansion? Where would the Clarks get that kind of cash? Did they find an investor or something?” Carter asked, baffled.
“Wait, you really don’t know?” The man feigned surprise.
“Know what?” Carter’s tone was sharp.
“Well, don’t shoot the messenger… but I heard the Clarks have been funneling money from the Macdonald accounts for years. That’s their startup fund.
“Some are even saying the Clarks had a hand in the Macdonalds going under…” The man let his voice trail off, watching Carter closely.
Instantly, Carter’s eyes turned to ice. His knuckles whitened around his glass.
Suddenly, it all made terrible sense–Freya’s cold shoulder lately, her short fuse ever since the family business collapsed.
So the Clarks had been playing the long game! They’d been bleeding the Macdonalds dry
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Chapter 190 A Whispered Betrayal
behind his back!
All those years he’d helped them out… he’d been feeding snakes. And in the end, they’d
orchestrated his ruin!
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No wonder Freya’s brother had been making himself scarce lately–too busy building the Clark empire.
In that moment, the puzzle pieces slammed together in Carter’s mind. A raw, burning anger flared behind his eyes.
He grabbed his glass and drained it in one hard gulp.
Watching the rage settle over Carter, the man allowed a faint, undetectable smile to touch his lips.
Mission accomplished.
“Hey, Mr. Macdonald, easy–that stuff’ll kill you,” the man offered, pretending concern.
But Carter was past hearing. He knocked back two more shots in quick succession.
By now, his face was flushed, and the room had started its gentle sway.
“You need the men’s room or something, Mr. Macdonald?” the man asked as Carter pushed himself unsteadily to his feet.
Carter waved a dismissive hand. “Thanks for the talk. Give me your number–drinks are on me next time.”
“Don’t worry about it,” the man said casually. “If our paths cross again, they cross. You heading out?”
“Yeah. Good drinking with you. I’ve got some… unfinished business to attend to,” Carter said, already turning toward the door.
“Take care, then, Mr. Macdonald.” The man gave a slight nod and watched as Carter staggered out into the night.
Once Carter was gone, the man pulled out his phone and tapped a quick message to Colton. Colton’s reply was instant. “Follow him. See where he goes.”
“On it.” The man settled his tab and slipped out, falling into step a safe distance behind Carter.
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Chapter 190 A Whispered Betrayal
Carter’s mind was a single, burning track–confronting Freya.
He didn’t notice the shadow trailing him.
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Hailing a cab, he slumped into the back seat. “Meridian District. Macdonald Villa,” he slurred.
The driver glanced at him in the rearview but said nothing, just pulled into traffic. Unseen, a second cab fell in behind them.
The whole ride, Carter simmered. His thoughts churned from stunned disbelief to a bitter, gnawing resentment.
If that stranger hadn’t spelled it out for him tonight, he might have died a clueless fool!
No wonder Freya looked at him like dirt the second the money dried up–she was only ever in it for the lifestyle!
She’d even burn it all down for a bigger piece!
She never loved him. Not once.
Their whole marriage had been one long con, and he’d been the perfect mark.
Carter’s fists clenched on the worn seat, his bloodshot eyes locked on the road until the cab finally crunched to a halt in his own driveway.
He fumbled the last of his crumpled bills at the driver and stumbled out. “Keep it!”
Money was the least of his worries now.
All he wanted was to look that woman in the eye and demand to know why.
Reeking of whiskey and rage, Carter stormed straight into the house.
Inside, Freya showed no concern. She was lounging comfortably on the sectional with Harper, watching some reality show, a mug of something steaming in her hand. They looked utterly at
ease.
At some loud, dramatic moment on screen, mother and daughter burst into simultaneous, careless laughter.
The sound grated on Carter’s last nerve–he could barely stop himself from crossing the room and wrapping his hands around her throat right then.
Startled by his violent entrance, Freya glared at him, her face twisting in annoyance. “For
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Chapter 190 A Whispered Betrayal
69
God’s sake, Carter! You’re tracking mud on the carpet! And what is that look on your face? You’re scaring Harper!”