The price of betrayal (Jack and Ashley) novel Chapter 424

George let out a bitter smile at Archie's question. "Mr. Baxter, at a time like this, do you think I have any reason—or the courage—to lie about something so serious?"

Archie nodded slowly. Indeed, George didn't have the nerve to fabricate such a claim.

"Alright, wait here. I'll relay the message."

Archie returned to the fish pond, where Nolan was fishing, and approached him cautiously. "Mr. Greene, George asked to pass along a message. It sounds important, so I thought you might want to hear it."

Nolan chuckled softly. "It seems he's determined not to leave without seeing me. Fine, let's hear it."

Archie cleared his throat and repeated, "He said, 'There was a mistake with the person who saved you.'"

The fishing rod in Nolan's hand paused mid-motion. His eyes narrowed slightly, and his voice grew quieter. "It seems he does have some secrets to share with me. Let him in."

Archie wasted no time fetching George, who was waiting anxiously outside.

When George arrived at Nolan's side, he was greeted by the sight of the man calmly fishing, his demeanor unbothered. George immediately plastered on a flattering smile.

"Mr. Greene, I hope I'm not disturbing your leisure time. But I'm at my wit's end. Losing two-thirds of my assets would leave my entire family destitute. At my age, I wouldn't mind so much, but Audrey and Kara are still young. Even if you don't consider my plight, could you think of them? After all, you're friends."

Nolan glanced at George, his tone indifferent. "Back at the hotel entrance, when you went out of your way to stop me, you didn't treat me like Audrey's friend. In fact, you told me to stay away from her. And now, you think these words will mean something to me? Don't you find it redundant?"

George froze at the response, his face turning pale. Without warning, he slapped himself hard across the face.

"Mr. Greene, I was wrong. I was ungrateful. Please, don't be angry. Could you give me one more chance?"

"She did it to gain your gratitude and money. But she could never have imagined that you'd end up falling for her because of it. Your feelings for Megan are, at least in part, due to that supposed life-saving debt, aren't they?"

In truth, Nolan had begun suspecting inconsistencies in the story ever since Kara had let something slip during an argument. Over the years, he had harbored quiet doubts, but he had never sought confirmation.

Now, at last, the truth was coming to light.

"So, it was Audrey who saved me?" Nolan asked, his voice calm but tinged with a deep undercurrent of emotion.

At this, George's tears flowed freely. "Yes, it was Audrey! And you think saving your life came without a cost to her?

"No, Mr. Greene. Audrey paid a terrible price to save you. To this day, she's still suffering from what she endured back then!"