Chapter 195 Dad Is in Trouble
Evening, at a quiet private café tucked away from the main street.
Juniper had arranged to meet Lester’s cousin—Zack Fields—ahead of time.
He’d once worked for Lester, competent enough but driven by greed. Give him the right incentive, and he’d do whatever was asked.
Zack dropped into the chair with lazy indifference, his gaze sweeping over her. “Ms. Miller, you wanted to see me. What’s this about?”
Juniper lifted her coffee, fingertips tracing the rim of the cup. Her voice was soft, but there was a dangerous undertone.
“Zack, you know exactly what I can do. I helped Lester claw his way back once… and I can help you take his place.”
Zack straightened instantly. When Lester had been forced out of the country by William, it was Juniper who brought him back. Most of their expenses these past months have been covered by her. He knew her power.
“You wouldn’t do this for nothing.”
Juniper’s smile was faint, calculated. “Of course not. Help me with one thing, and this black card is yours.”
She slid the card across the table toward him.
Since Lester’s disappearance, their group had been lying low, afraid to make a move. No income, living off what was left.
The card was a lifeline. Zack’s pulse quickened, and he leaned forward. “What do you want me to do?”
“Isabella.” Juniper’s voice dropped, her eyes glinting cold. “I want her gone.”
Zack blinked, lowering his voice instinctively. “Are you out of your mind? She’s William’s. Lester vanished because he tried to take her.”
Juniper’s patience had worn thin. William had cut her off and was constantly with Isabella. If Isabella figured out the truth, Juniper’s own life would be over.
She had to strike first.
Juniper tapped the card with one finger. “I know your situation. This helps you. If you won’t, I’ll find someone else—plenty of people will work for money.”
Her tone was a lure into the abyss. “Do it clean, and no one will suspect us. I’ll handle the fallout and keep you safe. Or you can keep hiding, letting everyone walk over you.”
Zack’s fists tightened, his resolve wavering.
Better to gamble than rot in hiding.
Neither of them noticed the figure seated near the window.
Benjamin had been nearby on business and, not wanting to head home early, had stopped at the café. He wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but Isabella’s name, William’s, and the word “dead” reached him.
When he saw Juniper speaking, his chest clenched.
He couldn’t believe it—the goddaughter they’d raised, polite, gracious, seemingly gentle, was plotting against his biological daughter.
Had all her sweetness been nothing but an act?
Benjamin held his breath, rising carefully and moving toward the door, wary of drawing attention.
One more step and he would be outside.
“Wait!”
Juniper’s head snapped up, her gaze cutting toward the exit.
Recognition flashed, and her pulse spiked.
Bad. He’d heard.
The softness vanished from her face, replaced by cold ruthlessness.
“Zack, he heard.”
Zack turned, catching sight of Benjamin leaving. “That’s your godfather. This is trouble.”
“Can’t let him walk out.” Juniper’s voice was ice. She hadn’t planned to deal with Benjamin yet, but now that he knew, there was only one outcome—death.
“If he talks to William or Isabella, we’re finished.”
Zack’s jaw tightened. “What do you want to do?”
“Kill him.” Juniper’s words were barely audible, deadly all the same. “Find an unlicensed car, put a drunk behind the wheel, and hit him. Make it look like an accident.”
Zack’s eyes hardened. “Got it.”
Benjamin’s heart pounded. He pushed faster toward the street.
He had to warn Isabella.
He couldn’t let anything happen to her again.
He broke into a run, pulling out his phone with trembling hands, fingers shaking as he dialed.
The call connected. Isabella froze at the sight of his name.
Was Benjamin calling her?
She answered, confused and tense. “Dad.”
“Isabella, I have something urgent to tell you.”
His voice was sharp with urgency. Isabella’s stomach twisted. “Is something wrong with Mom’s health? I can—”
“No, listen to me, J—”
The roar of an engine cut him off.
A black, unlicensed car hurtled toward him, its driver locked on target.
The impact was brutal—the screech of brakes, the sickening thud of a body thrown—and every sound bled through the phone into Isabella’s ear.
Her head rang, lips trembling. “Dad? Daddy?”
Silence.
Isabella shot to her feet, pale and shaking.
“Daddy, please… answer me. Daddy?”
“Daddy?”
Only the busy tone remained.
A cold dread rose in her chest. She couldn’t stay still.
She bolted for the door. William saw her and caught her in his arms.
“Isabella, what are you doing?”
Her nails dug into his arm, tears streaming unchecked, her voice breaking. “Mr. Spencer, my dad… my dad’s been in an accident. Please, take me to him.”
William’s pulse jumped. Out of nowhere, she was saying Benjamin had been hurt. Was this another hallucination?
“Isabella, calm down. Tell me what happened.”
She held out her phone, hands shaking. The call was still active, but there was no voice—only chaotic noise.
William frowned, trying to steady her. “Don’t panic. I’ll have someone check right now. If Mr. Tudor’s been hurt, I’ll go with you.”
Isabella couldn’t hear him. “I need to find Dad. Please, Mr. Spencer… let me go. He’s had an accident… he really has.”
William saw the seriousness in her eyes and signaled Dylan to investigate.
Three minutes later, his phone lit up with devastating news.
Outside the hospital emergency room, the red light glared.
Isabella’s face was streaked with tears. “It’s my fault… it’s all my fault…”
A doctor emerged, pulling off his mask, his expression grim. “Who’s the family? The patient has severe intracranial bleeding, multiple fractures, and internal organ damage. We’re prepping for emergency surgery now. I’m issuing a critical condition notice.”
“I’m his daughter!” Isabella stumbled forward, nearly collapsing. “Doctor, please… save my dad.”