Chapter 278: With Money, Everything Can Be Handled!

Selena's POV

I settled back in my wheelchair, listening to the nurses' hushed whispers as they passed Anthony's hospital room. Their worried voices carried through the hallway, discussing the "suicide jumper" incident—a phrase that made me smile despite myself.

"Can you believe it? Someone actually jumped from our roof?" one nurse whispered.

"I know! This hospital has the best security system in Seattle. Nothing like this has ever happened before," another replied.

I closed Anthony's door softly and wheeled myself toward his bedside, dangling the bracelet from my finger. The sapphires caught the afternoon light streaming through the window, sending blue reflections dancing across the sterile white walls.

My trophy, finally back where it belonged.

"Kevin, oh Kevin," I murmured, admiring how the silver links gleamed. "Don't blame me. Blame Katherine instead. What happened today is because you siblings forced my hand... you brought this on yourselves!"

I hadn't initially planned for Kevin to die. That wasn't my intention when I called him, pretending to be suicidal. I just needed that bracelet. But he was so persistent, so righteous with his talk of returning it to Katherine.

My bracelet. The one that had transformed me from a nobody into Selena Garcia, heir to the Garcia fortune.

"After all," I whispered to myself, "human lives, one or two, what's the difference? With money, everything can be handled!"

I'd been careful, methodical. After our struggle on the rooftop, I'd wiped away all traces of my presence, deleted our communication records, and made sure the security footage would only show Kevin alone, seemingly contemplating the long drop before he fell.

Everyone would believe the ex-con had finally broken under the pressure of his past.

I glanced around Anthony's room, considering where to hide the bracelet. I couldn't keep it on me—that would be too risky. Then my eyes fell on the small decorative vase beside Anthony's bed.

"The most dangerous place is the safest place," I smiled, carefully placing the bracelet inside the vase and arranging the dried flowers to conceal it.

Perfect. No one would think to look for it here, right under their noses. I could retrieve it later, once things quieted down.

I checked my watch. Katherine would be in the emergency area by now, probably falling apart over her precious brother. I needed to see if she suspected anything, if there were any contingency plans I should worry about.

When I arrived at the surgery waiting area, I spotted Katherine immediately. Her clothes were stained with blood—Kevin's blood—and her face was a mask of grief. She looked utterly destroyed.

She deserve it!

Just as I was about to approach her, a nurse walked up to Katherine. I quickly ducked behind a wall where I could perfectly overhear what Katherine knew.

"Ms. Jordan? I heard about what happened. I'm so sorry," the nurse said gently. "Is there anything I can do?"

Katherine looked up, momentarily confused, then seemed to remember something. "I was supposed to visit Anthony. Could you let him know I can't come today?"

The nurse patted her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, Selena has already informed the old gentleman, and he's gone back to sleep. You don't need to worry, just take care of yourself."

Katherine's eyes widened slightly.

"I saw Kevin chatting with Selena just a few days ago," the nurse continued, oblivious to the bomb she was dropping. "He was comforting her then. Who would have thought that now..."

"What did you say?" Katherine's voice sharpened. "My brother was comforting... Selena?!"

Damn it. I hadn't counted on this loose end.

"Yes, it was a while back," the nurse confirmed, "I think when you were hospitalized with dengue fever."

Katherine pulled out her phone, showing the nurse a photo. "This man? You're sure?"

The nurse nodded. "Yes, that's him. I first saw him in your room, so I knew he was your brother. After you left, he went to chat with Ms. Garcia. I even told my colleague how close your families are. Having friends like you two is really enviable."

I could see the shock registering on Katherine's face. We shouldn't have had any interaction—Kevin and I—not in her mind. The gears were turning behind those eyes. I needed to get ahead of this situation.

I waited until the nurse left before wheeling myself toward Katherine, composing my features into a mask of innocent concern.

"Katherine, why are you here?" I asked, injecting surprise into my voice.

Her eyes turned to me, cold and suspicious. "I was wondering the same about you. Why aren't you resting in your room? Why come to the emergency room?"

I shrugged lightly. "I was just bored. But what about you? Why are you here?"

"My brother fell from the hospital roof today," she said bluntly. "Such a big incident, I assume Ms. Garcia has heard about it?"

I widened my eyes in artificial shock. "I heard someone fell... What? That was your brother?!" I clutched my chest dramatically. "Oh my God, Katherine, are you okay? Don't worry too much, good people are rewarded with good fortune, I'm sure your brother will be fine!"

"My brother's name is Kevin Jordan," she pressed, watching me intently. "Do you know him?"

I gasped, nearly falling from my wheelchair in feigned astonishment. "Kevin Jordan is your brother! He... how can he be your brother? Yes... his last name is Jordan, why didn't I think of that? How did he fall? What happened?!"

I could feel several people around us turning to watch our exchange. Perfect—witnesses to my distress.

"Selena," Katherine said, her voice controlled but trembling with anger, "how did you and my brother know each other?"

I let tears form in my eyes, making sure they caught the overhead lights. "I just met him by chance at the hospital... he bumped into me, and we chatted briefly. Later, when he came to the hospital for flu symptoms, we met again, felt we had a connection, and exchanged contact information, though we rarely bothered each other."

I dabbed at my eyes with a tissue. "He even comforted me, told me not to give up on life so easily, but how could he himself..."

"Stop pretending!" Katherine finally snapped, her voice echoing through the waiting area. "If you hadn't deliberately approached my brother, how would he have known you? You'd better tell me the truth!"

Several people turned to stare at us. Just as I'd hoped.

"Katherine," I replied, letting my voice crack, "what are you saying? I know you're upset about what happened to Mr. Jordan, but you can't suspect me. How could this have anything to do with me?!"

I glanced around at the onlookers, playing the victim perfectly. Their sympathetic expressions told me I had them convinced. Katherine's accusations would only make her look unhinged with grief.

As I sat there, maintaining my wounded expression, I felt a surge of triumph. Kevin was out of the picture.

The bracelet was safely hidden. And Katherine was right where I wanted her—desperate, grieving, and completely in the dark.

No one will ever take what's mine again.

Especially not you, Katherine Jordan!