Chapter 4

Caroline's pov

I dressed with trembling hands, choosing the only simple but elegant black dress that remained intact in my closet. I suspected Cerene had shredded the others because her jasmine perfume still lingered faintly in the air.

“How pathetic.“ I huffed. She couldn't even try to cover her tracks.

After dressing up, I called for the driver....Larry Jones, a middle aged man, a person who never spoke until spoken to. He had served our home for as long as I could remember.

During the evening drive. I stared out the window with my hands clutching my purse. I kept replaying Peter’s cruel words with each passing second.

He surely outdid himself for Cerene.

I had already tucked the baby's death certificate closely in my purse. If I had to make an entrance, I had to give them a gift to choke on as well....

Suddenly, the Larry slowed down. “Ma’am, there’s a car ahead. It looks like an accident. Should we stop and help?”

I leaned forward, feeling my instincts kicking in. “Yes, stop the car. Someone may be badly hurt...”

And for sure, the scene before me was very devastating. The black vehicle had veered off the road.

Then as I walked closer with Larry, we spotted a middle-aged man, he seemed like the driver and was slumped unconscious over the steering wheel, his head badly impacted from the crash.

My stomach twisted, “Quickly, help him out.." I ordered my driver.

Just when I thought we had cleared him out, my eyes quickly found the passenger..an elderly woman in her seventies, she was struggling for breath in the backseat with blood trickling from a head wound.

She was fighting for her life, gasping weakly. And just by looking at the sight, I felt warm tears stream down my cheeks. Whoever she was, didn't deserve this.

“Oh my God,” I breathed, rushing to her side without hesitation. “Hold on, ma’am. I’m here. Help is coming.” I shouted for my driver to call emergency services immediately, then carefully supported the woman’s head, trying to stem the bleeding with whatever cloth I could find. “Stay with me. Please don’t close your eyes. We are getting help.”

The eldly woman’s eyes fluttered but didn’t open fully. I quickly checked her purse for any identification or emergency contacts....anything to reach her loved ones.

There was nothing. Only a small tag with a name: *Mrs. Margaret Harrington*.

“Why does this name sounds so familiar?” I murmured softly, my voice filled with compassion, “ I won’t leave you here like this. You’re coming with me.”

Larry and I carefully moved her a safe area before their car blew up in flames.

“Did you manage to find any identification? I only found a small card.“ I spoke, while holding Mrs Harrington's hand tightly.

“No man, I am afraid everything is destoryed in the car.“ Larry responded. “But the ambulance is on its way.“

At the hospital, I stayed by Mrs. Harrington’s side as the medical team worked urgently.

I waited anxiously in the corridor with my driver.

At that moment, I didn’t care about the birthday party anymore. The least I could do is shove the truth right in my husband's face.

Just as I prepared to leave with Larry, after assuring myself Mrs Harrington was in good hands.

A young nurse approached me, “She’s awake and asking specifically for you, ma’am. She won’t speak to anyone else.”

I nodded gently, then entered the private room, surprised to find her barely holding on.

“You… you saved us,” Mrs Harrington whispered, her voice weak but filled with gratitude. “My driver…you stopped to helped two total strangers.“

“Its was the right thing to do at that moment....“ U began to speak, but she cut me short.

“ Listen, I have no children and my husband passed years ago. There’s no one left. Let me thank you properly.” Her blue eyes welled up with tears.

I shook my head feeling, my tears welling up before I quickly blinked them away. “I don’t need anything, Mrs. Harrington. My driver and I just did what anyone should have done. Please rest and recover.”

But she was insistent, her plea sounded genuine, such that I had no choice but to listen.

“I have a vast empire… properties, businesses, investments. A fortress built over decades. It will all go to waste without someone worthy. You have a good heart, child. I see it in your eyes, even through your pain. Accept it. Own it.”

After much back and forth, seeing the woman’s sincere desperation and kindness, I finally accepted.

That same evening, in the hospital room with lawyers present, people she called after I agreed to her offer.

She legally transferred everything to me.

The weight of it was almost dizzying. I didn't desece it. I trembled with fear as I thought of ways I could safely give it all back. But with the scary lawyers around us, I could only hide my emotions.

Before I could fully process it all, she slipped a rare gold bracelet onto my wrist.

It was custom-made, gleaming with intricate designs reserved only for the Harrington name.

“Is that the famous Harrington bracelet? I hear there is only one in the world.“ I Stammered. Finally recalling where I had heart her name before.

She was one of the most powerful old money tychoons. Many said you wouldn't even guess it's her if you don't know the bracelet.

“This belongs to you now. Wear it with pride. It opens doors and commands respect.” She said firmly, leaving no room for arguments.

“No it's too much, I honestly don't deserve it.“ I said.

“You are like my daughter now, please I insist. look at me, an old woman who may die lonely any second. At least make me happy by staying by my side and let me shower you with everything I have.“ She said stubbornly, I knew there was no way of convincing her otherwise.

I stayed with Mrs Harrington sitting by her bed and sharing a quiet conversation.

She listened intently as I, overwhelmed, opened up about my pathetic little life with my husband.

Tears flowed as I described his cruelty, Cerene’s place in our lives, the baby I had buried alone.

Her eyes hardened the moment I was done venting. “Never let your enemies win, my dear. Especially not a husband who misbehaves so terribly. Show him your true power. Crush him if you must. You are no longer the woman he can push aside. You a Harrington now… Use it. The only way to defeat a powerful man is with more power than he has.”

I held back my tears, I had no idea my life would come to such a twist.

Just hours ago, I was watching my husband walk out with my sister and now I had the means to fight back.

“The only thing more powerful than the Lockwood name is the Harrington name.”

A deep, husky voice echoed from the doorway.

I gasped as I saw Alexander standing there in a sharp suit. He had found out everything I was going through and was clearly determined to stand by me.

His eyes went straight to Mrs. Harrington. Her eyes lit up instantly.

“There is my favorite doctor… Why don’t you escort my lovely daughter here to her birthday celebration…” Mrs. Harrington winked at Alexander.

I blinked several times, my jaw dropping in shock.

“Alex…” My cheeks blushed pink.

He crossed the room in long strides and wrapped his arm around my waist.

“We are getting late… Don’t you want your husband to choke on his own game?”