The ck SUV rolled smoothly up the Newton family’s long, tree–lined driveway.
Howard had barely settled into his seat when Patricia handed him a pack of wet <b>wipes</b>. He took one, nodding his <b>thanks </b>as he cleaned his hands.
He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry with you and Theo ended up like this. You’ve done <b>so </b>much for
our family, and all we’ve done is hurt you. Patricia, I know nothing I say can really make up for what the Newtons have put you through-
“You never hurt me,” Patricia interrupted, her voice <b>cool </b>and <b>direct</b>. “The ones who hurt me are your wife and your son.” She had no patience for his polite, empty apologies.
Her message was clear: if he wanted to talk about apologies, he needed to bring the real culprits.
Howard hesitated, caught off guard, but quickly regained hisposure. “Theo and his mother will apologize to you in person. But before that, I hope you’ll consider the Newton family’s offer ofpensation.”
Taking the Newtons‘ money meant making peace. It meant calling off the silent war she’d been fighting against them for so long. <!--
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Patricia let out a dryugh, her expression icy. “So, what’s the going rate for my silence?”
“Name your price,” Howard said quietly. “If I can make it happen, I will.” <fnbbd3> The rightful source is find?novel</fnbbd3>
Patricia didn’t miss a beat. “One billion. In cash.”
Howard went quiet.
Cash. She didn’t want shares or a stake in anything Newton. She just wanted enough to leave it all
behind.
“Is there any room for negotiation?” he asked carefully.
Patricia met his gaze. “You’re telling me my legs, my reputation, and Theo’s life aren’t worth a billion?”
Howard nodded, resigned. “I’ll need time to think about it.”
Just then, the car rolled to a stop at the front of the mansion. Patricia smoothed the nket over her knees. “Take all the time you need<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Inside, Howard was barely through the door before Kelly rushed over, clearly anxious.
Nothing could move forward until Patricia’s demands were dealt with. As long as things dragged on, Theo couldn’t return to work, and the longer he was away, the more vulnerable his position became.
Howard didn’t bother answering her questions.
Kelly lowered her voice. “If she won’t y ball, maybe we should just make her disappear.”
Howard’s face darkened. “Do you even hear yourself?”
“You want to spend your next life behind bars?”
Kelly shrank back, silenced by the icy warning in his eyes.
13.28 1
Howard said, “Stay out of this. We’ll handle Patricia ourselves.”
He walked off toward his office, leaving Kelly standing there, seething with frustration.
Upstairs in the Newton house, Marian handed Patricia a set of pajamas. “They’ve cleared everything else out. This is the only set left.”
It was a deep red silk pajama <b>set</b>–one Marian’s grandmother had bought for her wedding.
Patricia nced at it. “Everything I asked for–is it ready?”
Marian nodded. “All set.”
Patricia walked to the nightstand, pulled out an envelope, and handed it to Marian. “Have Jackson deliver this to Ruby.”
Marian peeked inside, curiosity getting the better of her. She caught a glimpse of a photo. “Bedroom shots?”
“nning to let Ruby and Nina fight it out?” she asked, grinning.
Patricia simply nodded.
After two years overseas, Ruby had barelynded before she was swept up in lunches, parties, and endless catch–ups with her friends.
Tonight, they’d booked a private suite at an exclusive club with such tight security, not even the boldest paparazzi could sneak in.
Inside the cozy, dimly lit room, a woman flicked her slim cigarette, giving Ruby a yful look. “Ten years and you’re still the queen bee. We can’t even have <b>a </b>simple get–together without worrying about the press.”
Ruby grinned. “You just like giving me a hard time.”
“Please, I wouldn’t dare. Especially if you end up as Mrs. Newton. My family’s counting on you to throw us some perks when you’re thedy of the house!”