Chapter 2

2

I ignored her and walked straight to the master bedroom.

As soon as I opened the door, a pungent scent hit my nose.

The bed was a mess, with a pair of lacy underwear that definitely didn't belong to me. A framed photo of Xander and Cynthia sat on the nightstand.

"Are you sleeping in my bed?" I turned around and stared at her.

Cynthia stammered, looking for an excuse.

"It's just temporary! Once Xander feels better, I'll have him move out..."

"Don't bother," I interrupted. "I'm only here to grab my things."

I walked toward the closet, but it was already bursting with Xander's designer clothes.

My own clothes had been stuffed into a cheap suitcase and tossed into a dark corner.

"Bennett, don't be like this..." Cynthia tried to grab my arm.

"I know you're hurting, but please understand..."

I shook her off. Just as I was about to zip my suitcase, my phone buzzed with a breaking news alert.

"BREAKING NEWS: Bennett Hayes, former heir to the Hayes fortune, signs plea deal for Sterling Group theft!"

The comment section was already a dumpster fire.

"No way! A Hayes stealing trade secrets? How pathetic!"

"I knew it was him. I thought he was protecting Xander at first, but I guess he's just a thief!"

"Lock him up and throw away the key!"

My eyes widened as I looked at the screen, then at Cynthia.

I had signed the deal exactly as she asked, yet she couldn't even keep her end of the bargain for an hour.

Cynthia saw the headline and looked slightly awkward.

"About that... Bennett, let me explain..."

"I really wanted to keep it a secret, but Xander was so worried about being a suspect. I had to leak it to protect his reputation."

My disappointment was so deep that I actually felt calm. "It's fine."

I put my phone away, hiding the fire in my eyes. "The trial is in three days anyway."

Cynthia let out a massive sigh of relief and grabbed my hand with her fake, sweaty palms.

"I'm so glad you understand. Don't worry, once you're in, I'll take care of your parents."

I pulled my hand back, feeling sick to my stomach. I moved into a guest room for the night.

When the house finally went quiet, I dialed a number I hadn't called in years.

When the call connected, I took a deep breath.

"Ms. Sterling, this is Bennett Hayes. We need to talk in person."