Ten had passed, and still no money. Kylie knew her gut wasn’t paying her back. She shook head, flying over her phone as pulled the bank the transfers, the messages where Craig had promised to make it right. would him and these were solid evidence. Then the messages from Julie and Samuel. They were on her case, big time. Samuel was especially pissed, threatening cut off her credit card. Kylie smirked at the thought. That card had been dust since the he’d it to her. there was Melanie’s message. It would have been like a slap in the face, all about how much her parents her. Kylie could almost hear the mocking in voice. But she wasn’t going to let it get to her. this time. was taking cutting ties with the who only brought her down. And family would be her only family… was just about hit hay when her buzzed with message. It was from Ethan Thompson, her older brother. back in the adopted family and go–to guy for everything. [How’s the new place treating you, honey? he asked. Her lashes fluttered as she hit reply. [I could really use a dose of home now. Ethan called her right his voice all brotherly. “Just come back. You’re welcome here. been talking about you nonstop. “I you guys too. I’ll be home tomorrow,” she said. “I’ll make sure there’s a for you,” promised. “How’s the paper coming? You were knee–deep in research last I heard,” Kylie added. There was a pause, and then laughter her ear. the usual, in books and coffee. After hung up, flipped through her album. Seeing her family’s smiling faces, she but It had been long since she’d them, not since her life had taken sharp turn. birth parents let her talk when were in a good mood. The Lampard family had everyone length, and everyone just assumed she was taken care of. After all, if she hadn’t Julie out of the things would have been different. Everyone figured look after her. She wiped away her tears turned off her phone. She needed to get some rest. Tomorrow, home, and didn’t want to show up with puffy eyes. Kylie’s alarm kicked day the butt–crack of dawn. She was sunrise of gal, after a quick splash and was downstairs. Yesterday, Trevor had said he wasn’t into the whole staff thing. The cleaning crew the Walters residence by each day to keep the joint shiny, but was of eat–out guy. So, Kylie was, poking around the kitchen, out the fridge. And jackpot! It was loaded fresh food. cleaners must have on the ball because everything ready to eat. She spotted some ham and decided to whip up a batch of eggs benedict. Trevor, dressed to impress in his suit, came downstairs was hit a aroma that stirred his hunger. Still adjusting to married life, Trevor did a when he saw in the her figure accentuated the apron. she was wearing- Kylie, with a plate in hand, also paused she noticed Trevor. She offered, “Morning, Mr. Walters, care for some breakfast? made eggs benedict. The dish was a delightful assembly poached eggs, ham, and hollandaise sauce on English muffin. Kylie wasn’t into the breakfast scene. “Thanks, but I’m breakfast replied, his head. he about to head out, a black on the table. “Use this for any expenses or household needs,” he said, glanced at card and then Trevor, and decided to keep it. She was than capable of paying her own way, she knew better than refuse his offer. For she’d it, planning return it when their wrapped up. At the Walters Trevor had just gotten in chair when Zach, his right–hand man, handed him the daily cup of joe. Zach was him their tight schedule, including a hop to the next town The coffee aroma was tempting, but the java that Trevor’s mind spinning. It was the memory the benedict Kylie had whipped up that morning. “Zach, could you pick up some eggs benedict from joint across the Trevor out of the blue. blinked, thrown by the request. boss exactly the breakfast type. “Eggs benedict, sir?” he repeated, to be “You got it,” Trevor confirmed, sipping his coffee. With a Zach out, his mind racing. on a new health kick or something?” When food arrived, Trevor took a bite and immediately frowned. The taste was off the charts–way too strong. Not the eggs benedict he had in mind. He dropped he done. Zach, who had returned to check on raised an eyebrow. “Too hot, Mr. Walters?” it’s not that,” Trevor replied, the away. Just it away. “What? Oh, sure,” replied. Zach grabbed the plate, a mix of confusion and curiosity on his face. Is it the elevator incident my twist? I read Mr. Walters’s now… Either way, that eggs benedict smells heavenly. try it out when we get back the trip…. Kylie’s day a whirlwind, with a lawyer’s appointment and a police report. noon, she was back the Thompson residence–her family had moved to Jardora three years ago due to her brother Hoard Thompson’s school enrolment. Her phone was on with calls Craig, she hit the mute button, signaling him back off. at the Lampard Group, Craig was sweating as the cops eyed him like a prime suspect. His coworkers were in a tizzy, whispering behind his back. Kylie answer his phone and he to sound calm, explaining to the officers, “It’s all mix–up. and I are together. I’m not trying scam her. We had a tiff, and she’s just blowing off steam. the cops weren’t having it. “We to come with us to clear they insisted. Craig checked his watch, realizing running late for a date the girl who his unattainable in college. came flooding back of how their relationship had started. Ever he about Kylie’s connection to Melanie, dared to hope for chance to to her. He’d for years, the spark was long gone. But she was kind and good–hearted, and his mom loved so he’d never thought ending things. But now it hit Kylie just when she said she wanted to up and get money back. He Kylie one last message, but she him. It was on him that she was serious about ending things. Cornered, had no choice but to go to the police station. Meanwhile, at the Trendy Mall, decked out fashion, her wearing thin she Craig Just as she about to text him, she noticed Walters building. was Trevor, the CEO, a face she from the financial news