Chapter 1118

"Who put you up to this?"

Anastasia broke out in a cold sweat. Even now, the memory rattled her. If she'd gone with Kim that day... would she still be breathing?

The fear was bad, but the guilt was worse. Kim got dragged into this because of her —an innocent life, gone.

Herman shook his head. "I'm just guessing, but it might be connected to Mr. Walker." "Mr. Walker?" Anastasia's eyes widened. "But he's "

With his status and reputation, pulling a stunt like this would ruin him. Completely reckless.

And wasn't there a secret arrangement between Herman and Mr. Walker? She never wanted to go after anyone, just wanted her family safe and happy. Why couldn't Mr. Walker just leave them alone?

A cold glint flashed in Herman's eyes. "Nobody wants to spend their life being blackmailed. If I find out Mr. Walker had a hand in this, I'll make sure he pays for everything, old grudges and new."

"Honey, but what does this have to do with my dad's accident?" Anastasia pressed. "Do you think someone actually set him up? But who? He was only at Nabb Mount -who would he have upset?"

Suddenly, a name popped into her mind. "Sandy?"

But she shook her head almost immediately.

"No... it couldn't be Sandy. She'd never hurt Dad-he's her father too." The idea was too much to swallow.

If that was true, she'd rather believe it was just a terrible accident.

It wasn't about going easy on Sandy, but the thought of a father dying at his daughter's hands was just too cruel.

"There's no proof yet," Herman said gently, rubbing Anastasia's temples. "I'm just putting together the pieces. For now, try to get some rest. I'm telling you this so you'll stay sharp."

Anastasia's mind was spinning—fear, anger, confusion all tangled together—but having Herman beside her helped her steady herself.

...

The Morton family home.

After coming back from the cemetery, Sean just lay in bed. The whole house felt heavy, weighed down by grief.

One room held a weak, coughing Sean. Another held Ashley, trapped in a coma. Even the housekeepers were creeped out. Some were thinking about quitting.

This house felt cursed—first the lady of the house fell and never woke up, then the man of the house died in a fall. The eldest son was always sick. The eldest daughter was never home. And now, the Mortons were bankrupt.

The more the housekeepers thought about it, the more spooked they got.

Just then, Sandy walked in with a file folder, and the housekeeper quickly found something to do elsewhere.

Of everyone, Sandy was the most unsettling. Just her presence gave people chills.

Sandy headed straight upstairs and into Sean's room. "Lying down already, big brother? I need you to sign something."

Sean coughed and struggled to sit up. "What is it, Sandy?"

"It's just some things Dad left behind. They need to be sorted out, and my signature isn't enough—they need yours too." Sandy handed him the documents and a pen, all ready to go.

It was a power of attorney giving Sandy the right to handle everything Tavon had left behind.

Sean might be frail, but he wasn't clueless. He'd worked at the company before-he knew how to read a contract.

One look, and he understood what the papers really meant.

Sean's brow furrowed. "Dad had a trust fund?"

"I think so Sandy replied, sounding casual. "The lawyer handled it. I haven't really checked. Dad's gone, so his stuff needs to be settled. You're not well and Mom's well, you know. So it's all on me.

Sean gripped the pen but didn't sign. “How much is in the trust?"

Sandy's tone sharpened as Sean kept pressing. "About fifty million, I think. Just sign it—the lawyer's waiting and you need to rest. Are you worried I'll just take the money and run?"

"Of course not," said Sean. "You're

my sister. If you wanted everything, it could att be yours. It's just... doesn't it feel rushed? Dad just passed and we're already dividing his estate, Anastasia is Dad's daughter, too. Legally—”

"Are you kidding me?" Sandy cut him off, her voice cold. "You really want Anastasia

to get a piece of this?"

"She's Dad's illegitimate daughter.

They never acknowledged each other-legally she has no right. Plus, that's Dad's money, and Mom's, And now you want to give some to Anastasia? Seriously, Sean, what's gotten into you?"