Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Chapter 263

The Lockwood Family Arson Shocks High Society-Again!

The Lockwood family estate fire sent shockwaves through the upper circles once more. When the police launched their investigation, they discovered, in addition to Saul and several of the family's staff, a charred, unidentified body among the ashes.

DNA tests soon confirmed the grim truth: the body belonged to Neal, the fugitive who'd been on the run for weeks.

Security footage later revealed that the arsonist was, in fact, Neal himself.

But Neal had no known grievances with the Lockwoods-so why target their home?

For days, the Lockwood family arson became the single hottest topic among Northborough's elite. With Saul dead, the head of the family title passed- undisputed—to Barrie. In just two months, Barrie had gone from an unremarkable illegitimate son to the powerful new master of the Lockwood estate.

Whispers spread through high society, suggesting Barrie was anything but simple. Some claimed everything that had happened to the Lockwoods recently had been orchestrated by Barrie himself. The story gained traction throughout the business community, and many began to treat Barrie with wary respect, if not outright suspicion.

The police, too, made Barrie a person of interest. Yet after a week of investigation, they found nothing to implicate him.

Since Neal was a career criminal, the authorities concluded that he'd set the fire for financial gain but lost control of the blaze, ultimately dying in the flames himself.

With that, the case was officially closed.

of the family, Barrie arranged a grand funeral for Saul. On the day of the service, Lauren wept uncontrollably,

Lauren woke up, Rosita had just returned with her

"Rosita," Lauren murmured weakly.

Sure, the show of grief was for

still spun and her limbs felt heavy as lead. Lying in the hospital

couldn't help but feel a trace of

Lauren the report. "Mom, take a look at

herself upright, and took the paper. When her eyes landed on the word "HIV," she stared in

can't be

head, managing a brittle smile. "Rosita, you must have picked up the wrong report. This says HIV!

with feigned sympathy. "I didn't want to believe it either, so I asked the doctor. They said the tests don't lie. If

"No! Impossible!"

the report to shreds, her voice hysterical. "How could I possibly have this! I mean, it's not like I've been reckless,

flashed through her

it have been

fine. It doesn't have to get serious. Don't be scared, I'll keep your secret. I'll

long for Saul to die—I thought