Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 1173

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He really did regret it.

He regretted his arrogance, how blind he’d been. He used to think the Williams family was just another big name. Even if they were the top family in Cabinda, how different could they be from the Lees? Now, he finally saw the truth.

The Williams family and the so-called top ten families of Cabinda weren’t even playing the same game. There was no comparing a rich family to one with serious political and military clout. The Williams family didn’t just have connections, they practically had a direct line to the highest circles of power. And Dennis Williams? His ties went even further than that.

Nicholas was only realizing all of this when it was far too late.

A lawyer slid the stack of shareholder documents across the table toward him.

“Nicholas, please sign. This is what all the shareholders want. If you agree to sign, they’ll drop the lawsuit out of respect for your past relationship.”

The message couldn’t have been clearer. If he didn’t sign, didn’t step down, didn’t use his own money to cover the losses, they’d make sure he and his family spent the rest of their lives behind bars. The lawyer didn’t mention what else might happen, but Nicholas could guess.

He picked up the pen. Suddenly, his hand felt heavy. He’d never known signing his name could be this hard. But at this point, what other option did he have?

Meanwhile, Cynthia Lee had no idea what was happening outside. She’d been Ms. Lee for so long, pampered and sheltered, never having to deal with real hardship. Just these few days in jail were enough to break her spirit. She was still waiting, staring at the door, believing her dad would somehow turn things around and get her out.

In her mind, the Lee Group was huge. There had to be a way out. They had money, they had people. If her dad could hire assassins, surely he could pull the right strings at the police station or the courthouse. No way would they actually go to prison.

Because she and her father were being held separately, Cynthia didn’t know what he was facing. She just kept waiting, convinced help was coming.

Sandra Taylor and Lavinia Roberts had just been brought back from overseas. Now they were locked up too, looking at the same fate as the Lees. Sandra came from a family that had already fallen from grace. Lavinia was basically disowned by the Roberts family. With charges like kidnapping Camila Davis and attempted murder, not a single person was willing to step up for them.

Even without the crimes, no one wanted to risk getting involved. Everyone had seen how fast the Lee family collapsed. People knew exactly who was pulling the strings behind the scenes. When someone that powerful was involved, even getting a little bit close meant your life was about to fall apart. The Roberts family had already been burned once because of Lavinia. No one there was going to risk crossing that man again.

As soon as Jordan Smith landed back home, he got a call from Sandra Taylor’s mother.

She was sobbing on the other end. “Jordan, I know you’re angry about Sandra lying to you, but please, for the sake of all the years you’ve known each other, help her. You’re the only one who can save her now.”