Brooks lay curled up next to a dumpster, drifting in and out of consciousness. Eventually, a passing pedestrian noticed him, called the police, and got him rushed to the hospital.
Nadine was in the middle of playing the devoted daughter-in-law for Walter when she saw Brooks being wheeled into the ward.
She froze. When the doctor bluntly announced that his legs were damaged beyond repair, her knees buckled.
The color drained from her face. She was paralyzed by a mix of terror and sheer panic.
She frantically dialed her secret contact's number, but it rang out.
Sweat beaded on Nadine's forehead as she anxiously rubbed her pregnant belly.
She had only wanted Brooks to make some quick cash. She never imagined her husband would be turned into a permanent cripple. How were she and the baby supposed to survive now?
She rapidly typed out a text.
[This wasn't the deal! My husband's legs are destroyed. He'll never walk again, and you only gave me fifty grand! Do you think poor people's lives are worthless?! If you don't give me an explanation, I'm going straight to Juniper and telling her everything!]
A moment later, her phone chimed. This time, it wasn't a message—it was a direct transfer of half a million dollars.
Half a million...
Nadine gripped her phone, her cheeks flushed with intoxicating excitement.
The person on the other end knew exactly how to manipulate her. Instead of arguing, they simply crushed her complaints with an overwhelming amount of money.
Nadine was completely driven by greed. She swallowed hard, fully realizing this fortune was the price for her absolute silence.
Then, a single text came through.
[My money doesn't come free. If you turn on me, I'll make sure your death looks like an unfortunate accident.]
Cold sweat instantly drenched Nadine's forehead. She had already suspected her contact was tied to the Saint family. How could a nobody like her possibly fight a titan like that? If they wanted her dead, they would bury her without leaving a trace.
Half a million dollars in exchange for her husband's legs. It was a spectacular bargain!
Nadine gritted her teeth and swiftly deleted the entire conversation history, erasing every last piece of evidence.
She walked over to Brooks's hospital bed. His legs were heavily casted and suspended. He lay unconscious, looking utterly pathetic.

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