Chapter 4

Seeing the sheer determination in my eyes, Hailey remained silent for a couple of seconds before giving a firm nod.

"Fine. Starting right now, you're a special consultant for the Walters’ legal team. Every piece of evidence you hand over is just going to be another nail in Evelyn’s coffin."

Meanwhile, back at the Reeds’ residence, the mood was pure bliss.

"Dad, did that bumpkin Tyler really pack up and leave?" Carter slouched on the couch in the living room, his face twisted into an arrogant sneer.

"Leave? Please. It’s a cheap cry for attention." Matthew scoffed, not even looking up as he shoved another designer shirt into his suitcase for their trip to Miami.

"He spent sixteen years raised by dirt-poor nobodies. All he knows is manual labor. Where's he gonna go without our money?"

"But what if he tries to get revenge or something?" Carter asked, faking a look of pure innocence.

"A couple of days ago, I saw him sneaking into Mom's study."

"What damage can a worthless kid actually do?" Matthew yanked the luggage zipper shut with a violent snap. "Besides, we’re his biological parents. Whether we slap him around or scream in his face, he has to take it. Retaliate against us? What kind of monster does that make him?"

Right on cue, Evelyn walked out of the study holding a fresh cup of coffee, her face full of cold indifference.

"Even if he did manage to dig up something from my office, it doesn't matter. Police Chief Sam Miller and I go way back. Whatever happens, he'll cover for me."

"What about my watch, though?" Carter whined, refusing to let it go.

"Once we get back from Miami, I'll buy you a way better one," Evelyn said, affectionately patting his shoulder, "Come on, let's get going. Don't let that party pooper ruin our mood."

That very night, Carter flexed hard on Instagram with a brand-new photo dump.

The first photo showed him, Matthew, and Evelyn in the first-class airport lounge, clinking champagne flutes together. The caption was extremely arrogant:

[Best summer ever with the only family that matters. As for certain petty people out there, maybe it's time to learn your place.]

Carter’s shallow friends flooded the comments section in seconds:

[Bro is living the dream! Your parents really spoil you rotten!]

[Wait, did the country bumpkin cause drama again? Who does he think he is?]

[Ignore him Carter, you're the real heir to the throne!]

Carter replied to every single comment with the exact same message:

[Thanks guys, he’s just having a tough time fitting in, I guess. I'm really trying my best to get along with him!]

Sitting in Hailey’s high-rise office, eating takeout while sorting through documents, I let out a bitter laugh.

Trying your best to get along with me? Is that what you call trying to ruin my life and watch me bleed out?

I tossed the fork onto the table and cracked my knuckles over the keyboard. It was time to organize the final batch of files, the smoking gun that proved Evelyn had bribed multiple city officials.

I only stumbled upon these files in my past life right before I died. Carter thought he had erased every single digital footprint, but he had no idea I backed up the entire drive.

Early the next morning, inside the most lavish resort hotel in Miami.

Evelyn wore a sweeping summer dress, sipping cocktails by the pool with a few of her business partners. Matthew and Carter strutted around the deck in beach shorts, posing for photos like they owned the world.

A portly business partner chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. "So, Mrs. Reed, I heard that long-lost kid of yours is throwing a tantrum again?"

Evelyn waved her hand dismissively, not giving it a second thought. "He was raised in the countryside and doesn’t know his place. Let him suffer out on the streets for a few days, and he’ll crawl back on his knees."

"Ah, nobody handles business like you. A massive company like yours needs someone tough enough to run the show."

Evelyn took a sip of her red wine with a smug look on her face. However, before she could swallow, her phone buzzed frantically against the table.

It was her CFO.

"Mrs. Reed, we have a problem! The IRS and federal agents just raided the office!"