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Novel Catalog
Chapter 12
Veronica answered the call, her heart lifting slightly as Elizabeth’s warm voice filled her ears. “If anything happens to you, call me immediately,” Elizabeth said with assurance before hanging up after receiving Veronica’s promise.
The moment the call ended, Veronica’s defiance flared. “Stop the car!” she demanded, her tone sharp. Matthew’s expression darkened instantly as he reached across the car, grabbing her by the jaw and turning her face toward his.
“What? Think you’re someone now because you have Grandma’s support?” His voice was dripping with contempt.
Veronica shoved his hand away and dropped her act, her gaze hardening. “It’s not about that,” she said, her voice cool. “Although you’re rich and handsome, Matthew, not every woman is desperate to marry you. You don’t need to walk around with that smug look on your face. What happened this time? An accident. I get it. You don’t want me pregnant, but trust me, I’m not looking to bear your child either.”
She paused, letting the words settle. “In two months, I’ll get checked. You can send Thomas to follow me. If I’m pregnant, fine—we’ll deal with it then. Abortion, done. That’ll cut any ties between us.”
Matthew’s lips curled into a grin, though his eyes remained hard. “You think I’d believe you?” He was skeptical, distrust obvious in his expression. A woman like her—slick, full of tricks—was never to be trusted.
“It’s up to you,” Veronica responded with a sly smile. “But it’s the best option, don’t you think?”
Her smile was too bright, too knowing, and Matthew’s stomach twisted with distaste. Without a word, he ordered, “Stop the car.”
The sedan came to a halt, and Veronica, without hesitation, opened the door. “Goodbye,” she said politely, slamming the door behind her with a force that sent a small jolt through the vehicle.
Matthew rubbed his forehead in frustration as the car pulled away. What a headache this woman is, he thought, his irritation rising. “Keep an eye on her. Monitor her phone calls. Make sure she doesn’t try anything.”
Thomas nodded without question. He’d been working for Matthew long enough to know his boss’s mind. Matthew was worried Veronica might try to manipulate the situation, seeking another man to get pregnant, or perhaps even attempting some scheme to deceive him in the coming weeks.
For the next month and a half, Veronica lived her life as usual. She continued working as a security guard at Twilight Club at night and did takeout deliveries during the day. The rest of her time was spent visiting her foster mother at the hospital, while her foster father remained unconscious, a silent witness to the passing days.
One afternoon, while out delivering food, Veronica’s phone rang. It was the private investigator.
“Miss Murphy, I’ve found the negligent driver,” he said, his voice tinged with urgency.
Veronica’s heart raced. The driver who had caused the accident and disappeared was finally located. After some digging, the investigator learned that the car involved had been legally scrapped, and the driver’s trail had gone cold. But there was something more: the driver had a criminal record.
When the investigator finished his report, Veronica clenched her fists. So the Larsons paid off the police, she thought bitterly. No wonder they found nothing.
“Where is the driver now?” she asked, her voice tight with anticipation.
“I’ll be in Bloomstead in two hours. I’ll call you again then.”
“Perfect. Thank you,” Veronica said, hanging up, her eyes narrowing with resolve. I’m getting closer, Dad, Mom. I won’t let those people get away with what they’ve done to you.
Back at the Larson residence, Rachel received a call that sent a chill down her spine. After hanging up, she turned to Floch and Tiffany, who were sitting on the couch.
“The investigator Veronica hired… he found the driver,” Rachel said, her voice trembling with fear. “Do you think she knows we were involved?”
Tiffany’s face went pale. “What? How did Veronica find him? Didn’t you say the person we hired was trustworthy?”
Rachel bit her lip, anxiety flickering in her eyes. “What if she’s figured it out? This could destroy us—especially with the connection to Matthew.”
Floch’s expression darkened as he sat back, arms crossed. “Tiffany only started getting close to Young Master Matthew recently. If Veronica connects the dots, we won’t be able to stay in this city.”
Rachel’s worry deepened. “Exactly. We can’t let her find out the truth.”
Floch stood up sharply, his voice low and menacing. “If she’s getting too close to the truth… we’ll have to silence the driver.”
“What?” Rachel gasped, horrified. “What if Veronica already knows?”
“Then she dies too,” Floch spat, his eyes cold. “As long as she’s alive, we’ll never find peace. The Larsons will never be free.”
Tiffany’s expression was hard, void of any emotion, but there was a cold calculation in her eyes. Rachel and Floch exchanged a glance. The situation had escalated too far. If Veronica learned the truth and exposed them, their connection to the Kings family would be shattered, and with it, any hope of reclaiming their reputation.
“Fine,” Rachel muttered, “I’ll figure something out.”
Two hours later, Veronica received another call while on her way home from a delivery.
“Miss Murphy, this is Ash, the assistant to the private investigator,” the voice on the other end said. “I’m afraid I have some bad news.”
“What happened?” Veronica’s stomach tightened with dread.
“The investigator… he was beaten by a gang of men on his way to Bloomstead. The driver was taken, and now my colleague is in the ICU.”
Veronica froze, her pulse quickening. “How is he? Where’s the investigator now? I’ll go see him.”
“No need,” Ash replied, his voice distant. “Goodbye.”
The line went dead. Veronica stared at her phone, disbelief written across her face. She pulled her scooter to the side of the road, her hands shaking.
The Larsons… they’re pulling strings again, she thought bitterly. They’ll stop at nothing.
The rain began to fall, heavy and sudden, drenching her as she sat motionless on her scooter. Her anger surged, but a cold, sharp fear crept up her spine.
But before she could gather her thoughts, the world around her blurred, and she collapsed.
When Veronica regained consciousness, she was in a hospital bed. The sterile smell of antiseptic surrounded her as she blinked away the haze of dizziness. A nurse was beside her, adjusting the IV.
“Why am I here?” Veronica asked groggily, rubbing her forehead.
The nurse glanced at her with a neutral expression. “You’re pregnant,” she said. “You weren’t resting enough, and you fainted.”
“What?” Veronica’s mind spun. “I’m… pregnant? But I had my period two days ago…”
The nurse raised an eyebrow. “It’s a threatened miscarriage, which is why you lost some blood. You didn’t realize you were pregnant?”
Veronica’s mind raced. How could this happen? The only time she and Matthew had been together was that one night—had it really been that easy? But a miscarriage? Her thoughts were scattered, struggling to process.
Before she could respond, the door to the ward opened, and Matthew stepped inside, his presence immediately commanding attention. It had been over a month since she’d seen him, and her heart skipped a beat as he locked eyes with her.
