All Chapters of The Bet That Ruined Us : Chapter 101 - Chapter 110

Shayla took a deep breath and explained to Grayson what the call was about.Grayson sighed without saying anything. He just stared at the ceiling, his jaw working like he was wrestling with something difficult.Shayla shifted to look at him properly. "What is it? You have that look on your face. The one you get when you are hiding something from me.""There is something I need to tell you about your mother's death, Ayla," Grayson said softly, still not looking at her.Shayla sat up immediately, pulling away from his embrace. Her heart was already starting to race. "What do you mean?"Grayson sat up too, turning to face her. He took her hands in his and looked her directly in the eyes. "Your mother did not die of cancer, Ayla."Shayla let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. "Come on, Grayson. Do not joke around. You know there are so many wounds surrounding my mother's death that I am still healing from. That is not funny.""I am not joking." His voice was serious, keeping his eyes stea

[THE HALE MANSION - DINING ROOM, NEXT MORNING]The breakfast table was set with typical Hale precision. Fine china, crystal glasses, fresh flowers in the center. Melissa sat at one end, Laura at her right, Laurette across from her sister. Benjamin sat at the head of the table, already dressed for the day in one of his business suits."So, Dad," Laura said, cutting into her eggs with more force than necessary. "As you can see, we are not doing anything with our lives right now. Which is not fair, is it? Would it not be better if you just gave us our trust fund now? Then we could actually start building something for ourselves instead of sitting around waiting. Lure modeling agency failed."Benjamin set down his coffee cup. "I know. That is why, after my visit to the hospital this morning, I am meeting with my lawyer today to finalize everything."Melissa's head snapped up. "Honey, should I come with you? To the hospital and the lawyer? I could help with the arrangements.""No, you do n

[THE HALE MANSION - LIVING ROOM] Laurette stood in the hallway, her handbag clutched tightly in her hands. She had waited until both Melissa and Laura went upstairs before making her move. She did not have her luggage because that would have been too suspicious. Just her purse with her passport, her phone, and some cash that would come in handy. She was going to meet Shayla. Today. No matter what it took. She walked quickly toward the front door, her heart pounding. The doorbell rang. Laurette froze. She looked up the stairs toward where Melissa and Laura had disappeared but heard nothing. No footsteps. No voices. The doorbell rang again, more insistent this time. Laurette swallowed hard and opened the door. Six police officers stood on the front porch, their faces stern. Behind them, she could see more police officers and police cars parked in the driveway, their lights off but their presence unmistakable. "Hands up! Now!" The lead officer shouted, his hand on his holstered

Benjamin stood, his knees protesting the movement. When had he gotten so old? When had his body started betraying him like this?He followed the nurse down a corridor that smelled of antiseptic and illness, past rooms where other people waited for their own verdicts.Dr. Sam's office was small but comfortable, with diplomas on the wall and family photos on the desk. The doctor himself was a man in his fifties, graying at the temples, with kind eyes that had seen too much suffering."Mr. Hale, please sit down," Dr. Sam said, gesturing to the chair across from his desk.Benjamin sat. He clasped his hands together to keep them from shaking.Dr. Sam looked at the file in front of him, then up at Benjamin, then back at the file. He sighed, a heavy sound that told Benjamin everything he needed to know before the doctor even opened his mouth."Just tell me as it is, Doctor," Benjamin said. "I am not a child. I can handle the truth."Dr. Sam nodded, respecting the directness. "The quantity of

[GRAYSON CROSS MANSION - DINING ROOM]The dining table was practically groaning under the weight of all the food Matthew had prepared. Chicken masala sat steaming in a large serving dish, pasta with three different sauces, roasted vegetables, fresh salads, and right in the center, Ayven's contribution to the menu - African jollof rice with perfectly fried golden plantains.The family sat around the table in a comfortable chaos of conversation and laughter. Shayla sat between Grayson and her father, still adjusting to the strange reality of having Benjamin here. Ruby and Ricardo sat across from them, Ruby already on her second helping of everything. Grandma Madonna sat at the head of the table like the queen she was, and Ayven had positioned himself right next to her, the two of them thick as thieves."Pass the jollof rice, Rubees," Ayven said, holding out his plate."You already had three servings," Ruby said but passed it anyway. "Where do you put all this food? You are eight years o