Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 184

“And then there’s the idiot Zuma family. They botched things so badly that Landon managed to pick up on their trail. If it weren’t for that, do you really think Zinnia’s life would be this easy right now?”

Rosalie’s eyes widened at her daughter’s words, and she quickly clamped a hand over Noelle’s mouth.

“Quiet! Watch what you say. Or do you really want your brother dead?”

She cast a wary glance toward the door, lowering her voice. “Don’t ever let your father hear you talk like that. He’s already furious with you as it is. Like it or not, Xander is his only son.”

Noelle pursed her lips sullenly. “Well, I’m his only daughter, aren’t I? That didn’t stop him from slapping me hard enough to leave a mark.”

A flicker of resentment crossed her face at the memory.

Rosalie could only sigh in exasperation.

“Xander is still his son, Noelle. And he expects him to take over the Jensen family business one day. Your father’s old-fashioned—he still believes the company should go to his son.”

“If my brother hadn’t made it through that night, there’s no telling who’d end up inheriting the Jensen fortune.”

Noelle shrugged, unconcerned. Then, as a thought struck her, she looked at Rosalie with a sly smile.

“Mom, you’re his stepmother. Do you really think my brother’s ever going to treat you like his own mother?”

She arched an eyebrow, voice dripping with insinuation. “Who knows? Once he takes over, maybe he’ll throw us both out.”

Rosalie’s face paled. Instinctively, she protested, “Don’t be ridiculous. I may not be his real mother, but I raised him since he was a child. I’ve never treated him unfairly.”

“You never know,” Noelle said sweetly, blinking innocently. “If my brother ever finds out his real mom died because you drove her to it, do you think he’ll still be loyal to you?”

Rosalie recoiled in shock, springing to her feet. “You… How did you find out about that?”

A group of men stood outside. The one in front flashed a badge. “We’re with the city police—Major Crimes Division. We’ve received a report of attempted murder and need Ms. Noelle to come down to the station with us.”

The chief investigator’s sharp gaze swept into the living room, landing squarely on Noelle.

The smiles that had just been spreading across the mother and daughter’s faces—so full of confidence in their scheme to oust Xander and seize the Jensen fortune—vanished in an instant, replaced by a frozen dread.

“A report? Who called the police?”

Rosalie shot up from the sofa and hurried over, planting herself between the officers and her daughter.

“Who made that accusation? Someone’s trying to frame my daughter, and you just believe them?”

“We have evidence showing Ms. Noelle’s involvement in soliciting murder,” the chief replied coolly. “Whether she’s been set up or not, we’ll investigate thoroughly. For now, Ms. Noelle, please come with us.”