Private Marriage, Secret Love-Chapter 99: Dragged into the Abyss

"Are you sure? That the evidence was found in this book?"

Cameron Fairchild had one hand in his pocket. "Is there a problem?"

"Are you really sure?"

"Of course. Do you think photos like that are easy to come by? Have you gone crazy or something?"

Ethan Lancaster did feel like he was losing his mind. Raina Reddington was still standing in the same spot, occasionally glancing in his direction. Ethan felt a biting cold today, a chill that shot up from the soles of his feet until both his legs were numb.

"Fourth Master?"

Ethan Lancaster snapped back to reality, his heart feeling hollowed out. "The demolition case... where was it?"

"Hemlock Village. And it’s strange, that plot of land was slated for demolition a while back, but then the project was inexplicably put on hold. I almost forgot to tell you, Mr. Sheffield is in trouble, too."

It was all coming full circle, returning to the beginning.

Ethan Lancaster’s throat felt raw. "I understand."

"What are you going to do next?"

"First, I’ll wait for my dad to wake up."

Cameron Fairchild didn’t know how to comfort him. Zachary Lancaster’s prognosis was grim, and the Lancaster family was about to be thrown into the fire. The investigation team would dig deeper; they wouldn’t stop until they had skinned him alive. On top of that, the incident had happened at Arkwell Hospital, and the bet with Mr. Lancaster was still active. This time, Ethan Lancaster was well and truly screwed.

"If you need anything, just say the word. All of us guys have your back."

Ethan Lancaster nodded lightly. "I know."

Cameron Fairchild didn’t stay long. After he left, Ethan Lancaster’s legs felt as if they were filled with lead, each step a monumental effort. He walked back to Raina. "Let’s go home."

"Why don’t I stay with Mom for a while? I slept at home, so I’m not tired."

"No." Ethan’s tone was noticeably flat, and cold.

Raina picked up the insulated food container beside them. "There’s no food at home. You should eat something."

Ethan swatted at the container. Raina lost her grip, and it fell to the floor with a dull THUD. He seized her by the wrist and dragged her forward. Raina stumbled, unable to keep up with his pace.

Back at The Verdant Garden, Raina saw his livid expression. "What on earth happened?"

Ethan Lancaster remained silent. The phone in Raina’s purse started to ring. She glanced at the caller ID—it was Joanna Lloyd.

She turned her back to answer the call. "Hello, Joanna."

"Raina, did you see the news?"

"What news?"

Joanna urged her, "Quick, turn on the local news!"

Raina hurried to the living room, grabbed the remote from the coffee table, and switched on the television. With such a huge scandal breaking in Stoneworth, the news channels were playing it on a loop. The Hawthorne family’s entire affair had been dragged into the light.

Miles Hawthorne had filed the report under his own name. He had his own network now; he was no longer the powerless boy who could be so easily crushed.

With Frederick Lynch’s sudden death, the media’s attention shifted to Mr. Sheffield and several others. Raina found their faces familiar, and with a jolt, she realized she had seen all of them in the Lynch family’s study.

Disaster had suddenly struck the Hawthorne family, and their home was forcibly demolished. When Samuel Hawthorne was pulled from the collapsed rubble of his small house, he was still breathing. Only after Miles Hawthorne was forced to sign the papers was his father finally sent to a nearby hospital for treatment.

That hospital couldn’t handle such severe injuries. Soon, Samuel Hawthorne was transferred to Arkwell Hospital.

Ethan stood behind the sofa, his bloodshot eyes glued to the television screen. The media was acting with impunity. In the past, the Lancasters could have suppressed them, but this time the attack was too ferocious. It was obvious Miles Hawthorne had powerful backing.

And so, the Lancaster family was now on the verge of collapse, public enemy number one.

"According to the results of the investigation, Arkwell Hospital is a private enterprise belonging to the Lancaster family. After Samuel Hawthorne was admitted to this hospital, he was quickly pronounced dead..."

"The attending physician in charge of his care has been taken in for questioning. According to his statement, Arkwell Hospital did indeed treat the patient with gross negligence. He claims it was Zachary Lancaster who ordered him to cease all life-saving measures, which ultimately led to Samuel Hawthorne’s death..."

A cold sweat broke out on Raina’s back as she listened, and she felt as if every bone in her body had been shattered.

The news anchor’s delivery was fast and precise, each word a hammer blow to the listeners’ hearts.

"Last night, the investigation team entered the Lancaster residence and has reportedly already seized material evidence. We’ve just received breaking news that Zachary Lancaster was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment today. It is unknown if this is simply a delaying tactic on the part of the Lancaster family..."

Ethan’s fists CRACKED as he clenched them. Raina quickly turned off the TV. She had a vague idea of what Miles Hawthorne was planning, but she had never, ever imagined the Lancaster family was involved.

She felt a prickling on her back as she heard footsteps approach. Raina opened her mouth, her voice trembling, "Hawthorne’s death... was Dad really involved?"

The breath caught in Ethan’s chest, and he let out a cold, harsh laugh. "What do you mean by asking me that?"

"I just..."

’She couldn’t think of any reason why Zachary Lancaster would want to harm Samuel Hawthorne. It couldn’t have been just a favor for someone, could it? That was a man’s life, after all.’

Before Raina could voice her confusion, Ethan cut her off. "My dad ended up like this because he was framed with this crime, and because someone planted evidence for them to find. Great. What a masterful game. You even dared to plot against the Lancaster family!"

’The word "you" felt so strange. Who was he referring to? Her and Miles Hawthorne?’

She shook her head slightly. ’How absurd.’

"If you have something to say, then say it plainly. Are you saying you suspect me?"

Ethan saw her maintain that same aloof expression. ’How had he never realized how good she was at faking it?’

’The things she did for Miles Hawthorne, time and again, were right under his nose. And he had been stupid enough to think it was none of his business, that it was fine as long as they didn’t bring harm to the Lancaster family.’

’Well, this was payback, wasn’t it!’

Ethan was so furious he ground his teeth. ’So, all those things Raina did to help Miles Hawthorne weren’t coincidences at all.’ There are some things you shouldn’t think about too deeply. The more you consider them, the more horrifying they become.

’Once a suspicion like that took root, it was impossible to stop.’

’In Miles Hawthorne’s plan for revenge, what role did Raina play? Was she an accomplice, or was she one of the masterminds?’

’What a brilliant scheme.’

’The Lancaster home was usually an impenetrable fortress. Getting something like that inside would be next to impossible. The only person who could enter freely, without raising any suspicion, was Raina.’

’And now she had the nerve to ask if he suspected her?’

Ethan felt like a complete fool, played for all he was worth. He grabbed Raina’s arm, yanking her in front of him. "The evidence they’re using to convict my dad was planted in the book *you* gave him. Raina, you’re so innocent, aren’t you? How long are you going to keep this act up?"

Raina was completely floored by his words. She shook her head, a subconscious denial. "Impossible."

It was only then that panic began to set in. She had fallen into an abyss, and she feared she would never be able to climb out.