THE LOST HEIRESS RETURNS AFTER DIVORCE
Chapter 123: Lauren Killed The Boy

Chapter 123: Lauren Killed The Boy

Outside the door, Heather’s chest tightened. Hearing them accuse her of leaking the information stung, especially knowing Adonis had twisted the truth.

He knew why she had been in Caius’s office that day. He just left that part out.

She could burst in now, defend herself, and tell Caius she saw Adonis sneaking around in there first.

But it wouldn’t matter. It was two men’s word against hers—and after last night, Caius wasn’t exactly eager to listen to her side of the story.

Instead, Heather backed away from the door quietly. She headed down the hall to their bedroom, her mind already racing.

She had dinner plans with Trish later. And now, she had more than enough reason to threaten her.

Heather just had to be smart about how she played her next move.

"I’m glad you got my text," Heather said with a small, knowing smile as she sat back in her chair.

Trish didn’t smile. Her body had been tense from the moment she read Heather’s message—the threat alone was enough to send her entire life crashing down.

Her reputation, her family’s name... all of it was dangling by a thread Heather now controlled.

What terrified her more was the part about her brothers. Heather had made it clear—if they got involved, the information would go public.

If Trish lied, it would go public. And as long as she cooperated, there would be no need for things to get ugly.

But sitting here, face to face with the woman threatening to destroy her, Trish still struggled to believe this was happening. This petite, soft-featured blonde?

She almost laughed at the thought, but the weight behind underestimating someone like Heather was obvious now.

After a little digging, Trish learned exactly who Heather was married to—Caius Thorne. The same man who had the entire party swatted that night. Her brothers? They went silent after finding out about him. No retaliation. No revenge. Just quiet fear.

"No need for small talk," Trish said, cutting to the point. Her voice wavered, but she tried to steady it. "Let’s just get this over with."

"If you wish." Heather lifted her coffee to her lips, completely calm. "Last time we talked about what happened that night, you said you had no idea. Let’s try again... do you know what happened?"

Trish’s chest tightened. How was she supposed to admit it was her idea to blame Heather? That after the call that day, she agreed to shift the entire mess onto her?

If Heather exposed her, everything would collapse. Her career, her endorsements, her spotless image—it would all burn.

"Trish," Heather’s voice softened, but her eyes stayed sharp. "You can tell me."

Trish hesitated, her throat dry. "I... I really don’t know how to... Miguel and Lauren just—"

"Miguel and Lauren?" Heather interrupted, her expression hardening. She already suspected Lauren, but Miguel? He was supposed to have cut ties with Lauren. Clearly, that was a lie.

"I can’t tell you," Trish whispered, avoiding Heather’s stare. "I promised them I wouldn’t say anything."

"You do realize if you lie to me, I’ll release everything?" Heather’s words were calm, but the threat was clear. She noticed the way Trish’s eyes widened—the panic behind them—and eased her tone slightly. "I just need the truth. Did Lauren frame me?"

Trish bit her lip, her heart racing, and gave a weak nod. "Yes."

Heather’s gaze didn’t waver as she leaned in slightly. "Did Lauren kill the boy?"

Trish’s face drained of color. She froze, caught between fear and guilt. How could she tell Heather the real truth—that she, not Lauren, was responsible? But Heather already seemed convinced.

"I know Lauren did it," Heather pressed. "I just need you to say it."

Trish took the out when it presented itself, even if it meant burying Lauren. "I... I don’t want to get involved."

"You won’t," Heather assured her. "I’ll make sure you’re left out of it completely. No one will ever know your name was attached to this... but only if you help me."

Trish exhaled, finally letting go of the breath she’d been holding. "Fine... I’ll send you the full footage of Lauren and Miguel in the room. Everything."

Heather’s fingers traced the rim of her coffee cup, her eyes never leaving Trish’s face.

"Good," she said simply. Her voice was calm, but beneath it was an edge sharp enough to draw blood. "I’m glad we’re finally being honest."

"What happens now?" Trish asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Now? You’ll get me the footage. And once I have it, your name stays clean. No one finds out about your part in this." She paused, her eyes narrowed slightly. "But... if you so much as flinch in the wrong direction — lie to me again, stall me — I won’t just release what I have... I’ll add more. And trust me, Trish, I have more."

Trish adjusted the sleeve of her coat, mostly to hide how much her hands were still trembling. Her brothers warned her to stay out of Heather’s path, but it was too late now.

The moment Heather’s text came through, Trish knew she’d been dragged right into the storm.

Trish swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. "And Lauren?"

Heather shrugged. "Lauren made her choices. She played games with my life, with my reputation. Now she gets to deal with the consequences. You get to walk away. That’s fair, isn’t it?"

Trish wanted to say no, that none of this was fair — but she knew better. The only fair thing now was survival.

"Fine," Trish replied, forcing her voice to sound sure. "You’ll have the footage. And I stay out of it."

Trish nodded stiffly, her heart still hammered in her chest as she watched Heather walk away.

She only exhaled once Heather disappeared out the door.

The line between loyalty and survival was a thin one — and tonight, Trish had chosen herself.

...

The knock on Lauren Remington’s office door came firm and steady. She barely looked up from her screen, assuming it was Evelyn.