Chapter 24
The ride was a breeze, and as they rolled up to the National Museum, there was a crowd waiting for them. Some were bigwigs, and others were news folks from the TV stations, all with their cameras aimed and ready to snap.
As soon as the car came to a halt, a guy rushed over to open the door for them. John was about to step out, the box in hand, but Loretta stopped him. “Dad, wait a sec.”
John was puzzled about what she was up to, so he just froze. Right then, the female mercenary from another car handed Loretta’s bag over to her.
Loretta grabbed the bag, fished out a box from it, and flipped it open. There, nestled inside, was the Nine Dragons Coblet.
John’s eyes bugged out in surprise, and he was just about to question her when Loretta gave him a heads–up. “Dad, we’ve got officials and reporters waiting. You should give them the Nine Dragons Goblet first. I won’t be joining you inside.”
John bit back his curiosity and gave a nod. He set down the box he was holding and took the one Loretta offered as he stepped out of the car.
With the cameras rolling, John was all cool and collected. He shook hands with some big shots, then handed over the Nine Dragons Goblet to the top dog in front of everyone.
After that, the bigwig invited him and Loretta for a cup of coffee, John made sure Loretta bowed out, so he was the only one who went inside with the suits and the press.
Loretta stayed put in the police car, with cops on guard outside. It was only then that she could unclench her sweaty palmus.
Even though they had a plan, the nerves were off the charts. But as soon as the Nine Dragons Goblet was in the officials hands, she breathed a sigh of relief. Glancing at the box John left next to her, she reached out to take a peek, her hand shaking.
Loretta’s thoughts went back to the mess of broken pieces from the Nine Dragons Goblet she found when she opened the box in her old life. That busted goblet was like a bad luck charm at turned her and her dad’s world upside down.
Breathing in deep, she pulled it out again, this time with a fake cup in its place. When she opened the box, just like she expected, the cup was in pieces, with a bullet hole in it.
Looking at the wrecked cup, Loretta couldn’t help but laugh. “Awesome,” she said. She had actually managed to change the course of her and her dad’s future.
After John went inside, it was clear he’d be there for a while, so Loretta pulled out her phone and turned off airplane mode.
As soon as her phone was back to normal, it was flooded with missed calls and unread messages, so many that it almost froze. Just then, another call came in. It was from her best friend Vanessa,
Loretta swiped her screen to answer, and Vanessa’s voice came through, all excited. “Loretta, you’re finally here! I’ve been trying to call you like crazy since you landed. I must have tried, ke, ten times. Just thinking about you guys donating something so precious to the country makes my stomach all jittery.”
Loretta settled back and asked with a grin, “Why are you so jittery?”
Vanessa said, “I was afraid you guys might get mugged on the way–that’s a 600 million dollar antique, not some 60 thousand dollar trinket. But even 60 thousand isn’t something you’d want to risk.”“
“Totally,” Loretta agreed. “I was a bundle of nerves too, but the good news is, it’s all done now. The donation’s been made.”
“That’s awesome,” Vanessa said, “but with the huge amount you guys dropped on this antique, isn’t Broderick Group gonna feel the pinch?”
12:19 Sat, Dec 21 G
Chapter 24
Loretta nodded, casting a glance at the majestic National Museum next to her. “Yeah, we might. But it’s all good. My dad and I will just have to hustle a bit more to bring in the bucks.”
“That’s why you’re our rock, Loretta. But as your BFF, if you ever really run low on cash, just holler, I might not have billions, but I’ve socked away a few million in my piggy bank over the years.” Vanessa chuckled.
“You bet. I’ll totally hit you up if I need to Loretta joked.
Vanessa immediately said, “Sure. We’re like sisters from another mister.”
Loretta couldn’t help but grin at that.
Then Vanessa’s voice got a little hesitant. “Um… Loretta, are you up for some go favorite topic, but I seriously need to get this off my chest or I’m gonna pop.”
Loretta just said, “Lay it on me.”
about your ex? I know it’s not your
Vanessa paused for a beat, still sounding unsure, “But what if talking about it makes you feel down?”
Loretta chuckled and shot back, “If you know it’ll make me feel down, why bring him up in the first place?”
Vanessa got her resolve back quickly. “No way, I’m on your side and I want you to see what he’s really like
She went on, “Loretta, you didn’t hear this, but your uncle Cohen’s family let it slip that Amy and Bruno are getting engaged next Saturday.”
Vanessa shook her head. “What’s really getting to me is how he’s been acting all reluctant about marrying Amy, and playi the heartbroken card over you. Now his fans are feeling bad for him, saying you shouldn’t have dumped him over that
matter.”
“Honestly, you’re the one who got hurt the most, but now some folks are blaming you for not seeing him. It’s nuts! If their guys were caught with someone else, they wouldn’t be so forgiving Vanessa added.
Loretta listened closely, her lip caught between her teeth, before she finally spoke. “Vanessa, the thing is… Bruno was the one who had the drinks spiked that night. He was aiming for me to take a hit from those drinks,”
The line went dead silent. After a long beat, Vanessa’s voice came through, thick with anger. “Bruno actually planned to drug you? Wasn’t he your boyfriend? Why on earth would he do something like that? Even if he was your boyfriend, doing something like that is completely unforgivable! Ugh! I can’t believe I actually felt bad for him before.”
“Vanessa, take a breath, Loretta said, trying to soothe Vanessa’s anger. She pursed her lips, realizing how well Bruno had fooled her friends with his charming facade. She was determine to burst that bubble. “Bruno and Amy have been playing me for a fool behind my back for months. I only found out a few days ago when I dropped by Amy’s school and heard the gossip from her classmates.”
Vanessa’s anger was palpable. “Oh, come on! I used to think you were too good for Bruno, but I believed he was a decent guy who treated you right. Now it turns out it was all just an act. No way! Everyone’s feeling sorry for Bruno, thinking he’s the one who got hurt, and someone’s bound to try to make you forgive him. I’m going to blow the lid off this whole mess!”
“Vanessa, hold up. I’ve got this,” Loretta said, her eyes narrowing with a steely glint. They’ve covered their tracks pretty well. I need to get my hands on some solid proof before we can convince everyone that Bruno’s not the innocent one they think
he is.”
Plus, she had another card up her sleeve. She wanted Amy to stan doubting Bruno, hoping they’d turn against each other,
