Chapter 366
The Roberts family empire crumbled with shocking speed. In just forty–eight hours, their respected medical dynasty had collapsed into a pile of accusations, police investigations, and damning headlines.
Jennifer sat in her family’s suddenly empty living room, staring at yet another rejection message on her phone. Friends, colleagues, even distant relatives–everyone was suddenly “too busy” to help. He mother paced nearby, phone pressed to her ear, desperation bleeding through every word.
“Please, we just need someone who can speak to the investigators,” Her mother begged. “Martin is innocent. This is all a terrible
mistake.”
Jennifer’s stomach knotted as she watched her mother’s face fall. Angther door slammed shut.
“They’re treating Dad like a criminal,” Jennifer whispered, nails digging into her palms. “The evidence can’t be real. Someone set him
- up.
Her mother sank onto the sofa, tears flowing freely. “Nobody will help us. It’s like we’ve got the plague.”
As Jennifer stared at the wall of family photos–her father with awards, shaking hands with officials, cutting ribbons–a sickening
realization hit her. This wasn’t random. This was calculated destruction.
“This is happening too fast,” she muttered, more to herself than her mother. “Someone powerful wants Dad gone.”
Her mind raced until suddenly, Adam Haven’s cold eyes flashed in her memory. The way he’d looked at Irene, how quickly he’d moved against her father after that stupid data incident…
Jennifer grabbed her coat. “I know someone who might help.”
The club’s bass thumped through Matthew’s bones as he nursed his fourth–or fifth?-whiskey at the bar. The darkness matched his mood perfectly. Faces blurred around him, voices drowned beneath the music.
He waved for another drink. The alcohol burned just right, taking the edge off the ache that had set up camp in his chest since
Irene had chosen Adam’s institute over his.
Like she’d ever pick me, he thought bitterly. Adam can give her everything. What do I have?
Someone bumped his elbow, and he turned with a scowl that instantly froze when he spotted Jennifer. Her usually perfect look had cracked–hair messy, makeup smudged, eyes wild with panic.
“Matthew,” she gasped, “I finally found you!”
He turned back to his drink without a word, hoping she’d take the hint.
Jennifer dropped onto the stool beside him. “Matthew, please, I need your help.”
When he stayed silent, she pressed on. “My dad’s been arrested. They’re saying awful things about him–all lies! We’re being framed.”
Matthew took another long swallow, ice clinking against glass. “Not my problem.”
Jennifer’s hand hovered near his arm. “Your family has pull. If you spoke up for us-*
“I can’t help you,” he cut her off, voice flat. “If your dad’s innocent, they’ll figure it out.”
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Chapter 366
“You don’t get it,” Jennifer leaned closer. “Someone’s targeting us. The evidence showed up way too conveniently. We’ve been set
up!
She moved closer, voice breaking. “You’re our only hope now. Everyone else has disappeared. Please.”
Matthew finally turned to face her, eyes cold. Go away. Stop bothering me.”
“Why do you hate me?” Jennifer’s voice cracked. “What did I ever do except care about you? What does Irene have that I don’t?”
Something dark crossed Matthew’s face. He let out a hollow laugh.
“You’re nothing compared to her.”
The words hung in the air like a slap. Jennifer recoiled, color draining from her face before rushing back in an angry flush.
“She’s just a single mom with three kids!” she hissed, grabbing his arm. “And she doesn’t even want you! She picked Adam over you! Why can’t you see that?”
Matthew yanked his arm free and stood, tossing cash on the bar. “At least she’s honest. At least she doesn’t trash other people’s work out of spite.
Jennifer’s face twisted with rage. “She’s ruined everything! First she steals my job, then she turns you against me, and now somehow she’s destroyed my entire family!”
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