Chapter 129: Bella’s request
Claudia’s panic flared, her voice lowering in a harsh whisper. "Are you insane? That man was in police custody. The entire department will be hunting for the killer. And Theodore...he won’t just let this slide."
"I had no choice," Franklin retorted. "I had to take the risk."
Claudia’s frustration boiled over. "Didn’t you say you hadn’t revealed anything about yourself?" she snapped. "What were you afraid of? If he didn’t know anything about you, how could he expose you?"
Franklin, now visibly agitated, shot back, "Oh, Mom, stop lecturing me. That man saw my face. He was a real threat. I had to make sure he was silenced."
Claudia’s temper flared. "But what if the police discover your involvement?" she demanded. "And worse, Theodore finds out! What then?"
"Nothing like that will happen," Franklin said confidently. "I have reliable contacts in the police. As long as I keep paying him, he won’t spill a word."
Claudia was not convinced. Her worry lingered. "Franklin, we can’t afford to trust anyone blindly. Loyalty is fleeting. Those who seem loyal today might turn against you tomorrow. You need to be extremely careful."
Franklin’s smirk deepened as he sensed his mother’s lingering worry. Leaning in closer, he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don’t worry, Mom. I’ve got everything under control," he said with a confident tone. "I promise I’ll be more careful next time."
Claudia sighed heavily, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly as she looked at her son. Despite her unease, she trusted Franklin’s abilities. "Alright, I’ll try not to dwell on it."
She straightened up, a determined glint in her eyes. "There is a charity gala this weekend. Theodore and Bella will certainly be there. I won’t attend, but I need you to go with Gina and keep a close watch on Theodore. Find out who he is meeting and what deals he is pursuing."