The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 138

The brisk winter air stung my cheeks as I arrived at cafe. Determination coursed through my veins like a steady heartbeat. I needed answers, and I knew Scarlett was the one who could provide them.

Scarlett and I had arranged to meet in a quiet, out–of–the–way cafe where we could talk privately. As I waited for her to arrive, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. Scarlett was no stranger to the Hayes family, and her knowledge ran deep.

When Scarlett finally walked through the cafe door, she looked as regal and composed as ever. Her long, auburn hair cascaded down her back, and her emerald–green eyes held a glint of curiosity as she approached our table. We exchanged a polite greeting, but it was clear that tension simmered beneath the

surface.

“Evie,” she began, her voice cool and measured, “I understand you’re rather curious about our family’s affairs.”

I didn’t waste any time getting to the point. “I want to understand why Stella is so determined to get her hands on the estate, Scarlett. There’s more to this than meets the eye, and I want the truth.”

Scarlett’s lips curled into a sardonic smile. “Ah, the truth. That’s a slippery thing, isn’t it? But I suppose you’re entitled to some answers.”

I leaned forward, my voice earnest. “Start with the will. What did it specify about the estate?”

Scarlett’s gaze hardened, and she fixed me with a piercing stare. “The will, my dear Evie, was quite clear. It stated that the estate would go to the firstborn Fitzgerald child who married and had a child of their own.”

I frowned, puzzled by the simplicity of the stipulation. “So, it’s all about inheritance?”

“Yes,” she said flatly. “I am the first born, and I had the child. As you can see, however, there is no husband.”

“Oh,” I said softly. From the direction things were going, it seemed that Stella was on her way to fulfilling parts of those conditions.”

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Chapter 138

comes to the my family. You see, the estate is just the tip of the

piqued. “What do you mean, something

regarded me with a calculating gaze. “It’s all up to the Hayes family, Evie. I know what it took for them. to climb the social ladder, to amass the wealth and power they

the Hayes family had come from old money, that Timothy

are you saying, Scarlett?” I asked,

conspiratorial. “The truth, Evie, is that they were not always wealthy. In

my spine as I listened to Scarlett’s words. The image I had held of the Hayes family as old–money aristocrats crumbled before me, replaced by a much darker

is built on corruption?” I asked, my voice

of wealth and privilege, but it came at a price–a price that Stella seems willing to pay

of unease. The Hayes family’s rise to power had been built on a foundation of deception and deceit, and now Stella was determined to reap the

deep breath, my mind racing with thoughts and questions. “What is it that Stella

“Stella wants control, Evie. Control of the family’s empire and everything that comes with it. She knows that the estate is just a small piece of the puzzle, but it’s a piece that gives

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filled with determination. “If we were able to take the estate, what

a low

Expose the truth?

mind, I couldn’t help but wonder how much this had affected Timothy. Had he been aware of the shady dealings that had propelled his family into wealth and power?

important, and I needed to focus on gathering evidence

case against Stella was complex, and I needed to be prepared for whatever tactics she might employ. If Stella had a history of getting what she wanted by any means necessary, I could potentially take

attention. “You know, Evie,” she said, her voice tinged

my papers, intrigued by her cryptic

is also power hungry

they

mischievous glint. “I’ve noticed that they’ve been spending a lot of time together lately, whispering in corners and

to