Chapter 74 The deal

Chapter 74 The deal
Cara sat upright in her hospital bed, seething with rage. Her fingers clenched into fists at her sides as she glared at the closed door April had just walked out of. The smugness in April’s face—or rather, the lack of concern—was eating at her like fire on dry wood. She had been so sure she could get under April’s skin, but instead, her stepsister had walked out like she was nothing.
“How dare she?” Cara hissed through gritted teeth, her nails digging into her palms.
“Calm down, Cara,” Mr. Harrington said, placing a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to soothe her. “Getting worked up like this won’t help anything.”
Cara whipped her head toward him, her dark eyes blazing with fury. “Did you see the way she ignored me? Like I wasn’t even worth her time! That bitch walked in here, did her job, and left without giving me the satisfaction of a reaction. She thinks she’s better than me!”
Mr. Harrington sighed, shaking his head. “She’s always been stubborn. But don’t worry, we’ll put her back in her place soon enough.”
Cara let out a frustrated breath, gripping the sheets. She wanted revenge. She wanted to crush April beneath her feet and remind her exactly who had the upper hand in this family.
And then, as if the universe was giving her a sign, a thought crossed her mind. A slow smirk crept onto her lips just as a nurse walked into the room carrying a clipboard.
The nurse, a young woman with short brown hair, looked between Cara and her father before speaking. “Miss Harrington, your discharge papers and medications are ready. You can leave as soon as you’re comfortable.”
Cara tilted her head, her lips curling with interest. “You must be Naomi, right?”
The nurse blinked in surprise before nodding. “Yes, I am.”
Cara’s smirk widened. “Perfect.” She patted the space beside her bed. “Come here. I have an offer for you.”
Naomi hesitated for a moment before stepping closer.
“You see,” Cara began, her voice laced with sugar-coated venom, “I’m in need of a reliable person to work for me. Someone discreet. Someone who can provide me with valuable information.”
Naomi’s eyes widened slightly. “Information?”
“Yes,” Cara purred. “And don’t worry, I’m willing to pay handsomely for it.”
At the mention of money, Naomi’s posture shifted. Her hesitation melted away, replaced by curiosity. “How much are we talking about?”
Cara leaned in, lowering her voice. “A very generous amount. But only if you’re interested.”
Naomi didn’t need much convincing. Her job didn’t pay well, and if this woman—who was clearly wealthy—was offering a high price, she wasn’t about to turn it down. “I’m listening,” she said.
Cara smiled in satisfaction. “Good. First things first—do you know if anything has been happening around Dr. April Harrington? Anything unusual?”
Naomi thought for a moment before shaking her head. “Not really. She keeps to herself.”
Cara’s expression darkened. That wasn’t the answer she was looking for.
“What about visitors?” she pressed. “Has anyone been coming to see her?”
At that, Naomi’s face lit up with recognition. “Oh! Yes, actually. Two men came to see her recently.”
Cara’s heart sped up. “Two men?”
Naomi nodded. “Yes. But I only know the name of one of them.”
“Who?” Cara demanded.
Naomi hesitated before answering. “Richard Dowell. He came earlier with gifts…”
The moment the name left Naomi’s lips, Cara’s blood boiled. Her fists clenched so tightly her nails bit into her skin. 
Richard? Richard had come to see April? And not just to see her—he had brought gifts.
She could feel the fury bubbling inside her, threatening to spill over. 
Richard was hers.
She had been working on him for years, planting seeds, manipulating situations, making him doubt his past with April. And now, after everything, he was running back to her?
Cara’s nostrils flared as she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. This wasn’t over. Not even close.
She turned her attention back to Naomi, her voice sharper now.
“From now on, you work for me. I want to know everything about April—who she talks to, who visits her, what she does. I don’t care if it’s something small—I want all the details.”
Naomi nodded quickly. “Understood.”
Cara leaned back, still fuming but feeling slightly better now that she had someone on the inside. “Good. Keep me updated. And don’t screw this up.”
Naomi swallowed hard. “I won’t.”
Cara’s lips curled. “That’s what I like to hear.”
As Naomi left the room, Mr. Harrington let out a pleased hum. 
“That was smart, Cara. We need to keep an eye on April. The moment she steps out of line, we’ll make sure she ends up right back where she belongs—on the streets.”
Cara smiled coldly. “Exactly.”
—
Later that evening, April was finally finishing up at the hospital. She let out a long breath, rolling her stiff shoulders as she gathered her things.
It had been a long, exhausting day, and the last thing she wanted was to go out to dinner with Richard.
But she had already agreed.
Sighing, she reached for her bag just as a knock sounded on her door.
She turned to see Richard standing there, looking as effortlessly handsome as always. He was dressed in a tailored suit, his dark eyes watching her closely.
“Ready?” he asked, stepping inside.
April nodded, adjusting the strap of her bag. “Just about.”
His gaze flickered around the room, scanning the space. His brow furrowed slightly. “Where are the gifts I bought?”
“Oh,” April said, realizing he had been expecting to see them. “Gina took them to my house for me.”
Richard’s expression relaxed, and he nodded. “That makes sense.” He stepped aside, holding the door open for her. “Shall we?”
April hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Let’s go.”
As they walked out together, Richard placed a light hand on her lower back, guiding her down the hallway. Even tough April wasn’t comfortable with that, she still didn’t stop him either.
Unbeknownst to them, Naomi stood just a few feet away, leaning against the wall with her phone in her hands. She discreetly raised it, snapping a quick photo of the two of them walking side by side.
Satisfied, she quickly typed out a message and attached the picture.
Naomi: Just saw them leaving together.
She hit send.
Miles away, Cara’s phone buzzed.
The moment she saw the picture, her lips curled into a sinister smile.
April thought she had won?
She had no idea what was coming for her.