Karma Doesn’t Sleep: The Revenge Queen Rises novel Chapter 136

Ryan was the only one left in the car. He tapped on the voice message and held his phone up to his ear.

The voice that came through was soft, with laughter threaded through it. It felt like a kitten’s paw brushing over the most sensitive part of his heart, waking up feelings he thought were long dead, setting something new and hopeful growing inside him.

Three minutes later, Ryan rapped on the car window, motioning for Francisco to get in.

Francisco looked back, unsure. “Mr. Packman, did something good happen?” He couldn’t help noticing how Ryan was actually smiling—grinning so wide it looked impossible to hold back.

Ryan raised an eyebrow, cocky as ever. “What’s it to you?”

Even as he said it, the smile stayed on his face.

Francisco couldn’t believe it. Stranger still, he was pretty sure he saw Mr. Packman’s ears turning red.

Just then, Ryan’s phone rang. It was Nathan.

“Ryan, come out with us tonight.”

Nathan didn’t expect much—most times, Ryan ignored these invites.

But tonight, Ryan was in a rare good mood. “Where?”

Nathan was stunned for a second, then practically lit up. “The Hollow Beat, second floor. I’ll send you the location!”

—

Amelia had been on her feet all day. Now, finally tucked into the warm car, she felt herself nodding off.

A sudden crash of thunder jolted her awake.

Rain was coming down in sheets outside, the sky so dark it felt like the middle of the night.

Her phone buzzed.

She glanced down, her eyes immediately turning cold. It was a message from Clive. Just an address.

Clive: [Cameron and the guys are all here. It’s been a while. Come hang out.]

He always acted like she’d come running the second he called, like she was some loyal dog desperate for his attention.

Amelia stared at the typing bubble, her expression unreadable.

A few seconds later, another message.

[It’s pouring. Want me to send a car for you?]

Amelia let out a cold, quiet laugh.

So he knew it was raining. He also knew she didn’t have a car. Clive’s so-called concern was just empty words now—sugar on top of something rotten. If he actually cared, he’d do something about it, not ask questions he already knew the answer to.

Amelia didn’t know much about cars. Other than the big luxury brands everyone recognized, the rest were a mystery.

She glanced at the key fob. The logo had two wings—not a B in the middle, but some Spanish name.

Imported, definitely not cheap.

She guessed it had to be at least fifty or sixty thousand. That was manageable. She’d be able to pay Diana back soon enough.

Back home, the place was quiet except for Donna.

“Mrs. Sadinton, you’re back?” Donna looked surprised to see her. “Mr. Sadinton called and said you weren’t coming home for dinner. The kids just stopped by to change clothes, then the driver took them out again. Said it was some party tonight.”

Amelia frowned a little.

Just then, the phone in the living room rang. Donna answered.

“Salmeron residence.” It was Clive. He said something that made Donna look over at Amelia, confused. “Mrs. Sadinton just got home. I’ll put her on.”

Amelia paused.

She really didn’t want to talk to him, but Donna wasn’t just any housekeeper—she was the eyes and ears of Clive’s grandmother.

His grandmother worried most about their marriage falling apart. Until Amelia was ready to leave for good, she didn’t want to give the old lady anything else to worry about.