Building Her Throne Burying My Heart (Claire) novel Chapter 70

When he got out of the car, something about him felt off. He actually smiled at me, which was rare and, honestly, kind of unsettling. I didn't even stop to wonder what that smile meant. I just brushed it off and kept moving. Looking back, that was probably when he made his move.

Thinking about it now, the whole sick act last night was just part of his plan. Not enough rooms, his sudden fever, sending me to buy medicine—it was all Garrison’s setup. I never imagined that after everything, he still wanted to get rid of me. Years ago, even after I left the Charles family, he still wouldn’t let me go. Some things never change.

Well, if that’s how he wants to play, I can fight back too.

I was lost in my thoughts when the door suddenly opened and a police officer walked in. I figured he was here to ask about the accident from last night.

Nope. I was completely wrong.

“Are you Lambert?” he asked. “Someone reported you for fraud and said you tried to run away last night. I need you to go over where you were and what happened.”

I just stared at him, completely thrown. Fraud? Trying to escape? Who would make up something like that? I almost died last night, and now people were saying I ran off with money.

I tried to keep myself together and explained. “Officer, here’s what really happened. My boss asked me to go down the mountain and buy some medicine. On the way, my brakes failed and I crashed. Some trees stopped the car, so I managed to get out, but I hurt my leg and couldn’t move. I had to wait until morning before anyone found me.”

I laid out every detail, step by step. The officer listened carefully and took notes.

Then he said, “Your boss says you took her money and were planning to run off. Why are your stories so different? Care to explain what’s really going on?”

As soon as I said it, I realized what was happening. “Let me guess. She told you I took the two million to run, and then just happened to get into an accident?”

He nodded. “That’s what she said, so you might as well stop trying to talk your way out of it. Just tell me the truth…”

I cut him off. “I already told you the truth. You can check for yourself. That night, Garrison had a high fever and sent me to get medicine. I’m lucky I even made it out alive. And now I’m getting accused of running off with her money? Why isn’t anyone asking why my car lost control? Why did I crash?”

I was getting worked up, venting at the officer, when someone suddenly appeared in the doorway.