, I knew she wouldn't take it. Haley had clawed her way up to the high life, aiming for the stars, craving that glamorous lifestyle. That day at the hospital, she swallowed her pride and faced humiliation without ending it all. Why would she choose to die now?, This was just a ploy to coerce Jacqueline into revealing Conrad's whereabouts., She suspected Conrad was being hidden by Herschel and Jacqueline, deliberately keeping them apart.,

"Ms. Perez, you're playing your cards with more finesse than ever,

" I said as I walked in., Jacqueline turned at the sound, panic written all over her face. She feared I might misunderstand why Haley was there., Haley, however, wasn't as taken aback. She must have seen me coming. Yet, the way she held the pill bottle, her hand trembling, betrayed her, nerves., Soon, her expression turned sorrowful.

"I'm at my wit's end, Felicia. Rad's nowhere to be found, his phone's off... You see, I have no choice.

" She was playing the tragedy card, but it had no effect on me., I offered a faint smile, gesturing towards the bottle in her hand with a tilt of my chin.

"Ms. Perez's way out seems to be right in your hand, isn't it?

" Her face darkened, a clear sign I had hit a nerve. She wouldn't really take those pills; she was here to pressure Jacqueline., There's no shame in her game. Haley had that down to an art.,

"Felicia, I know you want me gone, but if I have to go, Rad needs to say it himself,

" Haley's focus remained on meeting Conrad.

"Haley, if you want to see him, go find him. Don't come here,

" I said, stepping closer., She sat while I stood, towering over her, the difference in our positions forcing her to look up at me., Haley flinched a little but held my gaze stubbornly,

"If I could find him, I wouldn't be here talking to you.

",

"Did you find him here?

" I leaned in slightly., Haley's mouth opened, but no words came out.,

"Haley, what do you think Conrad would say if he knew you were disturbing his parents at, My, words caused panic t, BUMS, eyes. , her, But she quickly retorted, her voice trembling,

"I wouldn't be here if I had any other choice.

",

"No, you've always wanted to come here, to step through this door and cement your status,

" I said bluntly., Haley's eyes widened as panic took hold.

"I don't know what you're talking about.

", vel.!,

"Don't you? Well, let me spell it out for you. You and Aiden Martin were in love, sure. He was just a regular guy with a decent paycheck, nothing compared to Conrad's empire. Aiden's love and generosity introduced you to a world of luxury, fueling your vanity and material desires, making you resentful of his inability to fulfill your greed.

" , Haley shook her head, denying my words, but I didn't stop.,

"Despite Aiden's devotion, you couldn't bring yourself to leave. You knew the only way to the life you dreamed of was through Conrad. So, you used every chance to charm him, to draw him in, didn't you?

" ,

"It's not true,

" Haley's grip on the bottle weakened.,

"Then why so nervous?

" I leaned closer, whispering,

"I even suspect Aiden's accident was a staged tragedy, wasn't it?

", At that, Haley let out a scream and pushed me away., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.