Betrayed, Then Back For Blood

Chapter 21

Ashton frowned. “Why would anyone dig into Briar’s background? She’s just eighteen. What could be worth 15 million dollars to find out?”

Xavion looked puzzled as well. “Yeah, I don’t get it either. She only came back a few days ago. Do you think it’s got something to do with her acupuncture

skills?”

Still, even though acupuncture and traditional medicine weren’t that popular in Dasmieca, if one looked hard enough, they could find a few decent practitioners.

“Don’t turn the job down yet,” Ashton said. “I’ll have Brandon check if this is connected to my grandfather.”

He was thinking the same thing Xavion was. To him, Briar seemed like a normal girl–quiet, a little headstrong at times–but if she was being targeted because she helped Griffin, then Ashton felt responsible.

Xavion nodded. “Got it. I’ll stall them for now. But if they reached out to us, they’d probably already don’t care who they sell info to as long as the money’s good.”

Ashton grabbed his keys and headed for the door. “Give me thirty minutes.”

Just the thought of dealing with the Hacker Alliance gave him a headache.

ontacted the Hacker Alliance as well. Those guys

At 6 AM, Briar went out for her usual morning run. The house staff was used to her routine by now and got back to work once she left.

But today, Halle and Beatrice were up early too.

Trying not to repeat her past mistakes, Halle didn’t start with any snide remarks. She turned to a servant and asked, “Is Briar up?”

out running,” the servant

getting up early makes

girls in Shoneport, Beatrice had learned one thing:

reason.

one else in the family supporting her, Briar must’ve been trying to get on

Halle warned quietly, waiting until the servant left. “Don’t forget what

know,” Beatrice muttered. “We’re supposed to play nice for a

there’s nothing I can do,” Halle said, patting her daughter’s hand like it was

things worked in this house. Edgar called all the shots. Even after all these years, Halle still had no real say.

a monthly allowance of maybe 10 thousand dollars. If she wanted more–for a dress or a party–she had to ask for it. Sometimes

know how hard it was for Halle

own son and future heir of Jennings Group, couldn’t make a move

in the Jennings family knew one thing: if they wanted to stay, they did what

1/2

Chapter 21

or worse, not even knowing what hit

been going against Edgar at every turn. Beatrice was just waiting for the day Brian pushed too far and

came downstairs and saw them chatting on the living room

to a smile as she walked over and took Edgar’s arm. “We’re waiting for Briar. Dad,

actually

place once the partnership with the Hargreaves family went through–and how Briar wouldn’t be able to stir up any more trouble

a moment later, and the

Briar since she never liked eating with them anyway. Honestly,

work. Halle and Beatrice stayed behind to wait for Briar so they