The Heiress He Underestimated novel Chapter 140

Chapter 140 A Father’s Sins

Finished

The coffee shop Frost chose for the meeting was very normal. Like, so normal that it won’t look suspicious. It was one of those places that tried really hard to be quirky with mismatched furniture and chalkboard menus, but mostly just succeeded in being expensive.

Elera sat in a corner booth that gave her a clear view of both exits. Frost had taught her that. Always know where the exits are. Also, never sit with your back to the door unless you want to get murdered, which was apparently a very real concern in her life now.

“I feel like we’re in a spy movie,” Clara whispered, sliding into the booth next to her. “Should I be wearing sunglasses indoors? Is that a thing spies do?”

“That’s a thing assholes do,” Elera corrected. “Spies try to blend in.”

“Well, we’re failing at that. Frost has been glaring at that barista for five minutes like she might be hiding a we in the espresso machine.”

ed over at Frost, who was indeed eyeing the young barista with the type of suspicion usually or international terrorists. The poor girl looked like she was about to cry.

otective,” Elera said.

o, he’s paranoid.”

“Same thing at this point.”

Drakonius was at a different table, pretending to read a newspaper like some kind of 1950s detective. He’d insisted on coming even though Frost had argued it made them too visible. But Drakonius had this whole thing about not letting Elera walk into danger alone, which was sweet but also slightly annoying because she’d been walking into danger alone for years just fine, thank you very much.

“She’s late,” Clara said, checking her phone. “What if she doesn’t show? What if this whole thing is a setup?”

“Then Frost gets to shoot someone and feel validated in his paranoia. It’s a win win.”

“That’s a terrible win win.”

The door chimed and a woman walked in. She was probably in her late thirties, with dark hair pulled back in a messy bun and has the sort of nervous energy that made everyone around her immediately tense. She was wearing jeans and an oversized sweater, trying to look casual but failing because her eyes were darting around the room like a scared rabbit.

Frost caught Elera’s eye and gave a subtle nod. That was Jennifer Martinez.

Elera stood up and waved slightly. The woman saw her and froze for a second, like she was reconsidering this whole thing. But then she took a deep breath and walked over.

“Ms. Vex?” she asked quietly.

That’s me. And this is

Clara. Please, sit down.”

1:39 pm pppp.

Chapter 140 A Father’s Sins

Finished

Jennifer slid into the booth across from them, her hands shaking slightly as she set down her purse. “I wasn’t sure I should come. I’ve been hiding for five years. Coming out now feels like jumping off a cliff.

“We appreciate you taking the risk,” Elera said, “Can I get you something? Coffee? A pastry? Anything you want?”

“Just water. My stomach is already a disaster.”

Clara flagged down the nervous barista and ordered water. Frost continued to glare at her like she might poison it.

“So,” Jennifer began, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m guessing you want to know about that night, about the accident I mean.”

“We do. But first, I need to ask. Why now? Why come forward after five years of silence?”

Jennifer’s laugh was bitter. “Because I saw you on TV. At that press conference. Talking about not hiding anymore, about being brave. And I thought, if she can do it, maybe I can too. Plus, the guilt has been eating me alive. Sarah Lyros spent five years in an institution for something she didn’t do. That’s on me. On everyone who kept quiet.”

Elera felt ice run down her spine. “She didn’t do it?”

“No. She didn’t.” Jennifer took a shaky sip of water. “Sarah was at the party that night. She had maybe two beers over four hours. She was sober. I know because I was her designated driver. We’d made a pact, she’d stay sober, I’d stay sober, we’d make sure our drunk friends got home safe.”

“Then how did she end up with a blood alcohol level of point one five?”

“Because someone drugged her. And then made sure the drug metabolized into something that looked like alcohol in her bloodstream.”

The coffee shop suddenly felt very cold. Clara had gone completely still beside her.

‘Who?” Elera asked, though she already knew. She already knew and she wanted to throw up.

‘Your father,” Jennifer said, looking directly at Elera. “Kieran Nethys. He was at the party, which was weird because why would a man in his forties show up at a college party? But he was there, in a back room, meeting with Sarah’s father. I saw them arguing. It was intense. Something about a business deal, a merger that was falling through.”

Elera’s hands clenched into fists under the table. Of course. Of course her father had been there. Of course this all traced back to him.

‘What happened then?”

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