The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 502

Leilani pursed her lips. "I received the money."

"Yeah," Payton replied, his tone flat. "I should have given it to you sooner, but I never found the right time."

Leilani's throat tightened. "So... is this all of Paulina's savings?"

Did Payton really not save a single cent for himself?

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end before Payton spoke softly. "Most of it. The rest is what I've saved up over the years. I won't be needing it anyway."

"Since you're Paulina's apprentice, you're practically family," he continued. "This money was always meant to be left to you and Abel after I die; I'm just giving it to you early."

His casual words made Leilani's eyes burn with unshed tears. The underlying meaning was clear—Payton had already prepared himself for death.

Leilani couldn't quite describe the complex emotions swirling in her chest. She clenched her jaw, taking several deep breaths to suppress her feelings before speaking solemnly into the phone.

"Payton, I will keep the promise I made to you. I'll find the antidote and cure your poison."

A soft chuckle came through the receiver. Payton's voice was unusually gentle. "I know. I'll be waiting for your good news."

After hanging up, Leilani stood motionless for a long time. Outside the window, the city lights sparkled over the endless stream of traffic, while in her hands, she held the life savings of Paulina and Payton. She closed her eyes and pressed the phone tightly against her chest.

Hackett, leaning back in his leather chair and puffing on a cigar, cast an impatient glance at the file and snorted. "What are you trying to say? You're just suspecting Mr. Sherwood again."

This wasn't the first time Josiah had spoken ill of the Sherwoods to his father. But without fail, Hackett refused to listen.

In Hackett's eyes, if the Sherwoods wanted to ruin the Sloans, they wouldn't have bothered helping them after the wedding. Letting the Sloan Group destroy itself would have been much easier. Why go through the trouble of setting up a new shell company just to sabotage them?

His son was capable, but simply too paranoid.

Hackett sighed helplessly, blowing out a cloud of smoke, and patted Josiah's shoulder.