Chapter 101
One week later, Irma was discharged from the hospital.
Meanwhile, Aria just pulled off a new partnership deal for The Lynwood Group. It’s a big win-exactly what the company and everyone here needed to feel good again.
However, Irma was still recovering from a fractured lower leg and had to rely on a wheelchair to get around.
Immediately after her discharge, she went straight to the police station. The authorities had finally concluded their investigation into the accident: it was ruled an accident.
The liability was also determined—a seventy-thirty split. Irma was found to be seventy percent at fault for failing to check for oncoming traffic while changing lanes.
To make matters worse, the other party wasn’t just demanding compensation for vehicle repairs; they were also seeking damages for emotional distress and threatening to sue if she didn’t pay up.
Irma felt suffocated by the unfairness of it all, but she had to swallow the bitter pill in silence.
The Lynwood Group was at a critical juncture, and they absolutely could not afford to be dragged into any litigation that might damage the company’s reputation.
She made a mental note of this debt, outwardly compromising for the moment, but inwardly resolving to settle the score with Lucy, one piece at a time, in the future.
Jane had already departed for Switzerland with Molly.
That evening, Thurston sent a text to Kingsley: [Come out for a drink p>
Kingsley replied instantly: [No time p>
At that moment, Kingsley was at a dinner engagement, leaning back in his chair with a cigarette between his fingers, looking utterly lethargic.
His message had barely sent when Thurston fired back: [Kingsley, cut the crap p>
Kingsley didn’t bother explaining. He simply snapped a photo of the corner of his dining table and hit send.
The reply came almost immediately: [Come over when you’re done! Waiting for you p>
After the dinner wound down, Kingsley stood with Shane to see off the city officials.
Once they were seated in the car, Shane was the first to speak.
“Irma’s case is all wrapped up. Miss Lynwood handled it flawlessly; she wasn’t implicated in the slightest p>
Kingsley let out a faint “Mmm,” tapping his knee lightly with his finger as he uttered two words: “Meticulous planning p>
“Absolutely. There wasn’t a single loose thread to pull on,” Shane agreed with a smile, before adding, “By the way, Jane has left for Switzerland p>
Kingsley responded with another noncommittal “Mmm.” His fingers shifted to tap rhythmically on the center console. His eyes, darkened slightly and thinking of Thurston’s text, the corner of his mouth
twitched into a smirk.
Shane didn’t continue that thread. instead, he turned to look at Kingsley in the back
seat. “During dinner, Miss Mason called p>
Kingsley’s brow furrowed slightly. “What for p>
“She said her flight is tomorrow afternoon and asked if you could see her off p>
Shane reported dutifully.
The car fell silent for a few seconds.
“Do you think I have the time?” Kingsley retorted, his tone devoid of emotion.
Shane scratched his head, mentally reviewing the schedule. “You have two meetings tomorrow afternoon, followed by a social engagement. a Going by the schedule… you@eally don’t have any free time p>
“I’m busy. You go in my place,” Kingsley ordered decisively.
Shane’s face instantly twisted as if he’d been handed a hot potato. “That might not be appropriate, sir. Miss Masort likely doesn’t want me to see her
off. Maybe we should just arrange for a driver p>
Kingsley closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the seat. “Handle it however you see fit p>
“Right, understood!” Shane exhaled, quickly agreeing.
When they arrived at the club, Kingsley ran into Sean at the entrance.