Chapter 4

Third-Person POV

"I'm Scott's mother. If he dares call the police, I'll break his other leg!" Yolanda hissed.

She rubbed her temples. Anything involving the Carsons always got under her skin.

Yolanda only wished that Paul and Scott would die in an accident someday so she could finally have some peace.

Karl noticed something was wrong and pulled Yolanda into his arms. He cooed softly in her ear, "Tell me, honey. Who made you so upset? I'll deal with them for you!"

His warm breath tickled Yolanda's ear, and her anger vanished.

She pouted. "It's those pathetic losers again. They keep making my life miserable.

"I've got some bad news for you. Those two idiots couldn't get anything out of Scott, so I told them to let him go."

Karl panicked. "How could you let Scott go? If he won't confess, beat him until he does! Or fake some evidence and make him sign the confession.

"What if Scott ends up in the same college as Winston? Winston is so gentle and harmless. Scott will bully him mercilessly."

Yolanda looked at him in surprise.

Karl quickly changed his story. "That's one reason. But mostly, I'm worried about you.

"Scott goes to that lousy school. It would be a miracle if anyone there got into college, let alone Harvorton University.

"Something that unbelievable is bound to attract attention. If they investigate and find anything, you'll be dragged into it too.

"Honey, you've worked so hard to become Carson Group's chairwoman. You can't let Scott ruin everything.

"That's why we need to get the evidence first. Then, you can expose Scott for cheating, despite being his mother. Everyone will praise you for doing the right thing."

Yolanda pouted. "But they've released him. What do we do now?"

"Forget it. I'll find another way to get the evidence," Karl replied.

Yolanda was deeply touched. "Honey, you're always looking out for me."

…

Scott's POV

The two abductors dumped me outside the hospital and warned me not to cause trouble. They even made sure to remind me that Yolanda was behind them.

When the security guard saw me crawling on the ground, he kindly found a wheelchair to take me to the orthopedic department.

The doctor, Barry Whitmore, studied my X-rays. "Scott, the bones in your knee are badly fractured, so you'll need knee replacement surgery. Where are your parents? Can you have them sign the consent form?"

"I'm afraid they can't come," I said. "My dad just passed away. Can I sign it myself?"

"No. You're not 18 years old yet, so we need your legal guardian's signature," Dr. Whitmore said.

Just then, Yolanda called and demanded, "Where's Paul? I've called him a dozen times, and he won't answer. Where the hell is he?"

"I told you two days ago that Dad was dying and didn't have much time left. He's gone now. Isn't that what you wanted?" I snapped.

"Scott, did Paul teach you to talk to me like that?" Yolanda sounded furious. "You? Getting into Havorton University? Who would believe that?

"I'll find out exactly how the two of you falsified your SAT scores. Then, I'll make sure you both pay for it!"

Dr. Whitmore was stunned. After a moment, he said, "Is this Scott's mother? Scott's knee is badly damaged and needs surgery. Can you come to the hospital?"

"Do I look like I have time for that?" Yolanda snapped. "And you've got the wrong person. I'm not his guardian."

Dr. Whitmore said, "But Scott just told me…"

"He said his father is dead, right?" Yolanda asked. "Doctor, let me tell you something. Those two are good-for-nothing and compulsive liars. Don't believe a word they say!"