Chapter 329
Kelly said gently, “Carter… isn’t there any other way to help Nate?”
Carter’s reply was cold and emotionless. “I’ll assist the Hendricks Group with the PR campaign-repackaging Sharon’s image. But as for Nate… it’s better to let him cool off for a while. Keep him from stirring up more trouble.”
Kelly froze. “Carter… you’re not getting Nate out?”
His expression didn’t shift. “Tell him this: If he doesn’t have the ability to clean up his own mess, then he shouldn’t be making one in the first place. Not every time will someone be there to bail him out.”
Kelly was shocked. Something was different. The way Carter spoke about Nate… had changed.
All this time, because Nate once saved his life, Carter had tolerated nearly everything from him-indulgent to a fault. But now… why the sudden shift?
Had Sharon said something to him?
Yes. That had to be it. After they left the police station, Carter and Sharon had gone to that café together.
It must have been then.
No. She couldn’t let Nate stay locked up. If he was gone… Sharon would only grow more arrogant, more untouchable.
Kelly bit down hard, jaw tense.
Yes, Nate was reckless-stupid, even. But he was still a useful weapon and a sharp blade in the right hands.
For the first time in a long while, Wendy felt a genuine, unrestrained sense of relief.
Not only had they survived the crisis, but Sharon’s reputation had completely flipped.
Sitting in the private room of a restaurant, Wendy couldn’t help but grin, giving Sharon a big thumbs-up. “Sharon, you’re brilliant. Honestly, that 100 million was worth every penny.”
It was a number that felt astronomical-absurd, even. But Wendy knew very well… holding that kind of money wasn’t as easy as it sounded. It was scorching hot in their hands.
Nate and his cronies had been watching, waiting, circling like vultures for any excuse to snatch it back.
Sharon nodded calmly. “To be fair… we have to thank Nate for his cooperation. Without him, this outcome wouldn’t have been nearly as good.”
Wendy burst out laughing. “That idiot! Every smear campaign he threw at us? It all became free advertising! Seriously, this is the most satisfying thing ever.”
She had never felt this free, this victorious.
Nate had taken one hell of a fall.
Wendy chuckled. “By the way… we also have Julliard to thank for this. Without his intel, we wouldn’t have pulled this off so cleanly.”
Her eyes darkened a little, her voice lowering to something only the two of them could hear. “It makes sense that he tipped you off. He didn’t want to watch Nate spiral any further out of control.
“But… why hand us all that dirt? The drunk driving. The hit-and-run. That’s stuff that could actually land Nate in prison. Why ga
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that far? Aren’t they supposed to be close? Like brothers?”
Sharon said, “Maybe… maybe it’s not all real. Or maybe… he just didn’t want to watch Nate destroy himself. Letting him sit in there a while might be the best thing for him.
“Right now, Nate’s emotions are completely unhinged. If he takes one more wrong step… even Carter won’t be able to save him.
Wendy sighed. “Poor Julliard… carrying the weight of being a responsible friend all by himself.”
As they talked, a gentle knock came at the door.
Xavier walked in with Matty beside him.
Sharon had invited the father and son to dinner-after all, this comeback was worth celebrating.
As everyone settled, Sharon reached for the service bell, but Matty tugged lightly at her sleeve. He whispered, “Sharon… I have something I want to tell you.”
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