“Nichole, I’m at my wit’s end here!” Katy’s voice trembled with fear. The debt collectors had been


    tightening their grip over the past few days, leaving her no choice but to turn to Nichole for help.


    Nichole’s face twisted in anger. “Do you even realize how much to find that kind of money?”


    you owe? And


    you


    still expect me to bail you out? Where am I supposed


    “But haven’t you snagged yourself a wealthy man? James, right? I’ve heard he treats you like a queen


    and is always by his side. Aren’t you about to be his wife soon? The Burkes are loaded. 80 million


    is nothing to them. He’ll surely cover it for you.” Katy’s eyes sparkled at the mention of James, as if she


    found a lifeline.


    Nichole’s face turned a shade of dark grey. “If I could truly be Mrs. Burke, I wouldn’t be facing


    your debtors now, would I?”


    Nichole was well aware of Katy’s boasts to the collectors, iming her daughter was soon to marry into


    the Burke family. The rumor seemed credible enough since James was often seen with her at various


    events.


    Now, with word somehow out that James had cut her off financially, the debtors hade knocking,


    stripping her of nearly everything of value.


    Nichole clenched her teeth in rage. “If it weren’t for you leaking my whereabouts, I wouldn’t be in this


    mess! You’ve dragged me down with you. Why don’t you just disappear!”


    “Nichole! I’m your mother! How can you speak to me like that? Have you forgotten who bent over


    backward to cover up that mess for you? It allowed you to lead a prestigious life and study at Eastwood


    College. You ungrateful bastard! I’m only asking for 80 million to save my life, and you refuse to help!”


    Katy’s face was twisted with bitterness. “If you don’t help me, I’ll expose your dark secret and let the


    world know you killed your best friend. I’ll let everyone know that you’re not the person Burke


    International once helped! You stole her identity!”


    Nichole’s expression darkened. She knew her mother’s character all too well. If she couldn’t find a way


    to cover Katy’s debts, Katy would go through with her threats.


    Then, it would be the end for both of them.


    Breathing deeply, Nichole donned an obedient facade and said, “You’re my mother. How could I not


    help you? But if you spill my secret, I’ll never be able to be James‘ wife.”


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Katy smirked. “I knew you’d have a way out! Just marry into the Burke family, clear my debts, and give


    me some money to start over. I promise I’ll leave you and your future husband in peace.”


    Nichole looked at Katy, feigning difficulty. “I want nothing more than to be with James, but there’s one


    obstacle.”


    “What’s the obstacle?”


    “James‘ wife, Sophie. He’s been rekindling old feelings for her, leading him to cut ties with me. I could


    win James back if Sophie were. out of the picture.”


    Katy frowned, pondering Nichole’s words.


    Nichole took Katy’s hands, her eyes brimming with sincerity. “You’re my mother. I’ve been frantic, trying


    to gather the money for you. But as long as Sophie’s around, I can’t be Mrs. Burke. Can you help


    me?”


    Katy eyed Nichole warily. “How can I help?”


    “I know you’ve made connections at the casinos over the years. Surely you know someone who can…


    assist us.”


    Nichole whispered something into Katy’s ear, causing her to nch. “No! Absolutely not!”


    “What’s the issue?” Nichole pressed, dissatisfaction creeping into her tone. “You weren’t afraid to


    dispose of a body back then. Are you scared now?”