The maid brought Raines a steaming cup of hot chocolate and then went back to fetch another fresh one.
Fredric chuckled lightly. "Hot chocolate is best when it's sweet." Fredric had a sweet tooth.
Raines took a sip and said, "I've got to watch my health. I can't have too much sugar and need to keep it in check."
Fredric replied, "Raines, if you're not feeling well, you should stay home and rest up. Don't go doing anything too strenuous."
The implied message in his words was not lost on Raines.
"Fredric, you're not still holding that last incident against me, are you? Honest to God, if it had been me, may lightning strike me down."
Raines wasn't afraid of making such bold oaths.
In this dog-eat-dog world, nice guys finished last, and the scoundrels lived on. The meaner and more ruthless you were, the better you survived.
Fredric shrugged. "As long as it wasn't you, that's all that matters. I was just talking, don't be so sensitive."
Raines said, "I'm all about that carefree life and just want to be a free spirit, living the easy life. Plus, I've had a head injury. My health isn't great. Managing all those companies would be the death of me!"
Fredric replied, "I don't want to suspect my brother and ruin our relationship. So I choose to trust you once more, and I hope you won't let me down."
Raines said, "Someone's trying to set me up and make me take the fall. I hope Leopold can find the real culprit and bring him to justice."
Leopold said, "I'll find the person, alright. I won't accuse an innocent man, but I'll sure as hell not let the troublemaker get away."
Leopold watched Raines act, wondering how long Raines could keep up the charade.
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