The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35 Uncovering the Truth

Chapter 35 Uncovering the Truth

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“But what about these?” she asked, holding up one of the pills. “Just going by the smell, they don’t seem like anything mor basic cooling herbs–the kind you’d use to reduce a fever.”

It was becoming clear that the Ashfords were genuinely worried she might regain her health and have Lucas‘ child. That wo Jeremy’s position in the family at risk.

Riley’s expression grew tense. She stared at the small mound of powdered pills on the table. “Are these… laced with someth

Lydia shook her head. “From the ingredients and scent, I don’t think so. They’re pretty common overthecounter cooling her harmful, but not helpful either. To know for sure, though, I’d need to run a lab test.”

She paused, then let out a frustrated sigh. “You don’t really think the Ashfords would be reckless enough to poison you, do y

No.”

Riley knew they weren’t that foolish–poison would leave evidence, and they’d never take a risk that obvious.

This was more like slow suffocation. They were letting hope simmer until it evaporated, wearing her down day by day with promises that would never come true.

At that thought, the corner of Riley’s mouth lifted into a thin, cold smile.

“But,” she said, looking straight at Lydia with steady eyes, “what if these pills became poisonous?”

Lydia’s heart gave a hard thump. She studied Riley’s face, where something shrewd and unspoken moved beneath the surface “What are you planning?”

“Nothing,” Riley replied, lowering her gaze and tucking away the chill in her tone. Her usual detached manner returned: “Let’s say I’m suddenly in the mood to play for higher stakes.”

After leaving Lydia’s office, Riley got into her car and headed toward Harper Group.

At a downtown intersection, the light turned red. She came to a stop and let her eyes drift toward the storehants ming the del

Amid a stretch of somewhat worndown shops, one caught her attention Willow’s Arcade & comes

games were taped inside the glass door, and shelves behind it were crammed with cutoudges and diu coins, es

Might outside the entrance, a figure was crouched low in an awkward position

He wore a black hoore with the hood up, hiding most of his face still sometting thout his

1

reges The profile was unmistakable thanked just

The light turned porn but she data tips off tagad the rand and Curb

donned it the J. A

As she got cil

He was clearly there to

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5:46 pm

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Chapter 35 Uncovering the Truth

On the glass counter inside sat a vintage singleplayer game cartridge, its packaging slightly worn at the edges.

A moment later, his phone buzzed.

“How much longer? Traffic? I don’t care how you figure it out, just get me the cash in ten minutes.”

Then it clicked for Riley.

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st forgotten–Havenbrook wasn’t like Nexopolis, where digital payments were the norm. Plenty of these small,

shops still operated on cash on

bastian, billionaire tha

g up, Sebastian’s

n, a young guy w

All have the firste

he owner shot a

this gne’s… sp

“He has

He

self stuck over a few hundred dollars in physical money.

ked his watch and let out a low, annoyed sound.

the store. His eyes instantly landed on the cartridge on the counter. “Whe e said excitedly to the shop owner.

astian, who remained crouched near the door like a gathering storm. “Sorry, kid e called it.”

younger customer wasn’t backing down. ”

buying it, I will. I’ve got cash on n

llet.

He rose slowly to his feet, and his he

old, silent look. No words were nee

owner broke into a nervous sw

antly explain to the younge

on cue.

?” she asked, b

ramped shop feel even smaller.

s was plain enough.

se something else, when-

Stack of crisp bills, and set them gently on the glass counter

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