Chapter 134
Chapter 134:
“Stop pretending. You’re with the Owen family,” Stacey insisted, her tears spilling again. “I’m not after money, I just want you to help our mom and brother p>
Rylie slowly lowered herself to meet her eye. “What nonsense is that? My parents are farmers. Who started this ridiculous rumor about me becoming wealthy?” She glanced away briefly. “The Kirk family already kicked me out. It made the news. You all cut ties with me. Now you want me to come back? For what? And ‘our’ mom and brother? Sorry, they’re yours, not mine p>
Stacey panicked and blurted, “You’re the reason Nicolas and Mom started getting better. You used your own medicine. If you refuse now, they will die because of you! How heartless you are p>
Rylie stared at her, blinking once. “What medicine? I don’t even have a license. I’m still in school. I can’t treat anyone legally. Where are you getting these stories p>
The students around them began talking in hushed voices again.
“Everyone knows the Kirk family turned her away. They even made it public. Now Stacey’s groveling in front of her p>
“Why is she even asking Rylie? Leland is the doctor in the family. He should be the one helping, not a student p>
Brad, who hadn’t spoken yet, finally joined the conversation. “Leland might not be able to help either p>
The entire group turned toward him, watching closely.
Stacey felt her stomach twist. Brad didn’t rush. “Leland was arrested for medical fraud and organ trafficking. He’s already in custody p>
The color drained from Stacey’s face. “You’re lying. What are you saying?” She had known Leland had been missing for days, but the police hadn’t revealed anything. The family still didn’t know what the charges were.
Brad’s smile was faint but firm. “You’ll know the truth by tonight. It’ll be on the news p>
The air shifted. Students nearby glanced at one another, their faces tinged with shock. Organ trafficking wasn’t just tabloid gossip; it was a crime. The idea that the once-respected Kirk family might be involved? It made stomachs turn. Rylie hadn’t said a word, but it didn’t matter. Rumors moved quicker than sound, and by now, the crowd had turned on Stacey.
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Rylie knelt, brushed her fingers under Stacey’s chin, and exhaled slowly. “You forced me out, thinking you were cleaning house. But you pushed out the one person keeping your family together. Now look at it. You’re all falling apart.” She didn’t raise her voice. Her calm made it worse. “You tossed out my medicine and put your faith in Marsha’s nonsense. And what happened? Nicolas can’t walk anymore. Soon, he’ll lose his legs. Your mother’s condition hasn’t improved either. That’s on you. You stood in front of them and made promises you couldn’t keep. And they believed you p>
Rylie spoke gently, almost as if she felt bad. Her expression, though, said otherwise. “Their health keeps spiraling. You’re here now, hoping I’ll fix what you broke. You don’t care if I succeed. You just want someone to blame when things go wrong again p>
Stacey’s face went pale. Rylie had struck a nerve. But Stacey wasn’t here just for that; she was trying to get close to Deandre too.
Through her tears, Stacey finally choked out, “I realize I messed up. I shouldn’t have stolen the affection for you from our parents and brothers. Do whatever you want to me, just save Mom and Nicolas p>