Devastating News

Fear gripped Suzanne Lockhart's heart, coiling like a snake and squeezing tightly. She propped her elbow on the table near the ice-skating rink at the Grand Palace Mall, resting her face in her hand, making sure not to ruin her makeup. The sounds of kids laughing at Brew & Chew Bistro and the delicious scent of grilled burgers filled the air around her, but they did nothing to lift her spirits.

The accountant had been brutally honest and direct. She was flat broke, and she couldn't understand how it had happened. The inheritance Patrick had left her should have been more than sufficient to last a lifetime. She nervously nibbled at her nail. But now, that money had vanished, and the looming threat of bankruptcy was like a vicious shark with its jaws wide open, ready to devour her.

How could she prevent her friends and colleagues from discovering the truth? She knew how people could turn on their own when they sensed vulnerability. She had done it herself in the past. Sadly, there was only one way out of this mess: Trisha.

Trisha had been her backbone and source of money all these years, always bailing her out of financial trouble, always making sure the bills were paid and the house was maintained. Without Trisha's support, she would have been lost. Now, more than ever, she needed her daughter to come through.

Kyra Lockhart couldn't help but notice the sadness in her mother's eyes as they sat together in the cozy cafe. Suzanne had always been a master of deception, but Kyra could see through the facade. She leaned closer and whispered, "Mom, what's bothering you? You've been so quiet lately."

Suzanne forced a smile and patted Kyra's hand. "Oh, it's nothing, darling. Just some matters to attend to. Don't you worry your pretty little head about it."

Kyra frowned, sensing that her mother was hiding something. She had learned from Suzanne how to manipulate situations to their advantage, and now, she was determined to uncover the truth. "Mom, you can trust me. You've always said family should stick together. Tell me what's going on."

"Well, Kyra, you see, there have been some complications with your late father's inheritance. We need to make sure Trisha doesn't find out about certain... details."

Kyra's eyes widened, realizing the situation. "What kind of details, Mom? You can't keep me in the dark on this. We need to protect our interests."

Suzanne knew she had to be cautious with her words. "It's just some legal matters, darling, nothing for you to worry about. But we must make sure that Trisha doesn't know the truth about her late father's affairs and how it might affect her inheritance."

Kyra had learned from the best, and she was ready to do whatever it took to protect their wealth and secure their future. "Don't worry, Mom. We'll handle it together. Trisha will never see it coming."

Now Trisha was away in Azure Bay island. Anger billowed inside, washing ever nearer to the surface. Suzanne couldn't help but feel the frustration bubbling up as she spoke, "Trisha's off on that fancy Azure Bay island getaway, leaving us to deal with all this mess. It's seriously annoying, isn't it?" She took a sip of her coffee, masking her anger with a casual manner.

Sharing her mother's annoyance, Kyra nodded vigorously. "Totally, Mom. She's always running away from family stuff, and now she's off having a blast while we're stuck cleaning up."

Leaning in closer, Suzanne lowered her voice. "We've got to make sure she doesn't catch wind of what's really going on here. Our plans could be jeopardized if she finds out. We've got to be sneaky about it."

"Don't sweat it, Mom. I'll figure out a way to keep her clueless. She won't suspect a thing, and we'll lock down her inheritance. Our family's fortune will be safe and sound. We've got this in the bag." Kyra leaned in closer, a mischievous glint in her eye as she confided, "You know, Mom, we've made her work hard for us without her realizing it. It's almost like a game. She thinks we're all on the same side, but we've been quietly pulling the strings to secure our interests. It's been quite the challenge, but it's working."

Suzanne chuckled softly, relieved. "That's my girl. You're very smart. We know how to deal with these delicate situations and protect what's rightfully ours. We'll make sure our family's fortune stays intact, no matter what it takes. Keep up the good work, darling." 

After a brief pause, she asked, "Speaking of family, have you heard from your brother lately? It's been a while since he left for his new job. I wonder what he's up to these days."

Kyra shrugged casually, her focus on the current situation. "Not really, Mom. You know how Dylan is. He's always off doing his own thing. But don't worry about him; he's a big boy. We have more pressing matters to attend to right now."

Suzanne nodded in agreement, her concern for Dylan momentarily pushed aside. "You're right, Kyra. We'll deal with our immediate priorities. Still, I can't help but wonder about him. His new job, whatever it is, must be keeping him busy. I hope he's making wise choices for his future."

"Yeah, Mom, I get it. But you know Dylan's always been reluctant to come back. He's got his own ideas and dreams. I just hope he's not making a mistake by staying away from us. Time will tell."

"Well, we can't force Dylan into something he doesn't want. We'll support his choices, even if they differ from ours."

Kyra nodded in agreement, but a hint of discomfort crossed her face as she added, "You know, Mom, it's strange how Trisha sometimes tries to flirt with Dylan, even though she's technically not related to him. It's kind of awkward, but I guess she doesn't know the truth about our family's past."

Suzanne raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Trisha has no idea about our family's complicated history. Let's keep it that way for now. The less she knows, the better it is for all of us."

Somehow she couldn't help but feel annoyed that Trisha had once again sneaked into the spotlight. That "Little Miss Perfect," always the one everyone looked up to and respected. She knew she could never measure up, not even when it came to her late husband's love and attention.