Chapter 243
Chapter 243 Dark Schemes
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“Don’t talk like that, you’ll be okay,” Calvin reassured Freya, though his tone lacked real conviction. “Just focus on resting and getting better right now.”
“How can I rest? Even if I heal, I’ll have to do time.” Freya’s eyes welled up. The thought of what awaited her felt worse than death.
Calvin let out a weary sigh. “Don’t worry about that. If it comes down to it, Carter will take the fall.”
“Him?” Freya was stunned. What did that mean?
“I already talked to him. He’s agreed to confess. You just concentrate on getting out of this hospital,” Calvin explained, his voice
low.
Freya scoffed, a bitter smirk twisting her lips. “He actually agreed?”
“What choice does he have? The roof over his head, the food he eats–it’s all because of you right now. If you go away, his life gets a lot harder. Better for him to take the heat for now, do a little time. I’ll work on getting him out later. It’s not a capital offense, just… an inconvenience.” Once the initial fuss died down, he could push for a reduced sentence or early release. Problem solved.
“Well, at least he knows which side his bread is buttered on,” Freya said, a wave of relief washing over her. Since it wasn’t her problem anymore, the fear subsided.
“When the cops come by to talk to you again, just stick to the story we went over. Besides, you’re injured. They probably won’t grill you too hard,” Calvin instructed.
“Yeah, I know the drill.” Freya nodded.
Calvin’s expression turned grim. “As for that little witch, let her enjoy her freedom for a few more days. She’s not getting off that
easy.”
“Thank God you’re back. If you hadn’t come home, I’d really be up a creek this time,” Freya said, a flicker of vindictive pleasure in her eyes at the thought of payback.
“You’re my sister. Did you think I’d just stand by?” Calvin gave her a look. “Alright, I just came by to update you on your brother–in- law. Get some rest. I’ve got things to handle, so I’m heading out.”
That wretched girl would definitely get what was coming to her.
After Calvin left, Freya’s face darkened. She clenched her teeth, seething silently. Just you wait.
Once her leg was healed, she’d make that little nuisance, Arabella, pay dearly.
The next day dawned bright and clear.
“So, what’s on your agenda today, Arabella? More flight training?” Alfred asked over breakfast.
“Not today. I actually made plans with…” Arabella caught herself before saying Lucas‘ name and switched smoothly, “…a friend.”
“What friend?” Alfred asked, mildly curious.
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Chapter 243 Dark Schemes
“Just someone I used to work with,” Arabella said casually.
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She couldn’t say it was Lucas. If they asked why she was treating him to a meal, she’d have no good explanation without revealing the near–accident from yesterday, which would only make everyone worry.
Seeing she wasn’t elaborating, Alfred didn’t push. He simply reminded her, “Okay, well, don’t be out too late.”
“Mm–hmm,” Arabella replied with a quick smile.
Soon after, she left Cloudrise Manor.
With no flight training to chaperone, Alfred headed back to his room.
Arabella drove to the upscale casual restaurant where she’d arranged to meet Lucas. He was already seated at a booth and stood up, waving her over as she entered. “Arabella, over here.”
She walked over, returning his smile, and slid into the seat across from him. “Have you been waiting long?”
“No, just got here myself,” Lucas said.
A server approached almost immediately, placing menus before them. “Are we ready to order, or would you like a few more minutes?”
“Arabella, see what looks good to you,” Lucas said, nudging a menu toward her.
“I’m the one treating, so you should order first,” Arabella insisted, gesturing for him to go ahead.
“Ladies first,” Lucas countered, his eyes smiling as he left the menu in front of her.
Seeing his polite insistence, Arabella relented. She picked up the menu, ordered a couple of entrees and a side, then passed it back to Lucas. He glanced over it, added an appetizer and another side dish, and handed the menus back to the server. “That’ll be all for now, thanks.”
“Not getting anything else?” Arabella asked.
“For two people, this is plenty,” Lucas said. His gaze lingered on her face, noting the slight shadows under her eyes. “You look a bit tired, is everything okay?”
“It’s nothing” Arabella brushed it off casually. “Probably just didn’t sleep very well last night.”
Lucas‘ expression immediately softened with concern. “If I’d known you weren’t rested, we could have rescheduled.”
“Really, it’s fine,” Arabella reassured him with a smile. “I don’t feel sick or anything, so keeping our plans was no problem”
She didn’t like carrying debts of gratitude, so she wanted to thank Lucas properly and settle the matter.
“But what kept you up?” Lucas pressed gently, still worried something might be wrong
Arabella’s smile faltered for a split second. The reason for her poor sleep was, embarrassingly, Matthew
For some inexplicable reason, he’d popped into her thoughts last night and even featured in her dreams. And in the dream, she was being exploited again–dragged out for some medical consultation with him in the middle of the night It was utterly ridiculousk
“Arabella? Hey, Arabella. You okay?”
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10:54 am
Chapter 243 Dark Schemes
Lucas‘ voice pulled her back. She blinked, refocusing on his concerned face, and mustered a slight smile. “I’m fine.”
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“Are you sure?” Lucas wasn’t entirely convinced. She had seemed spaced out for a moment there, not even hearing him call her name twice.