Chapter 15

The police officers finally left, but the tension in the room remained thick. Their message had been delivered, leaving us in a state of shock and fury.

"We cannot let this happen," Chloe said, gripping my hand tightly. "The Caldwells have played their first card. Actually, two—first, poisoning you, and now this. You have to show them who's in charge before they try anything worse."

My head throbbed. All I wanted was to close my eyes and forget this nightmare.

"Look, Chloe," I sighed, "we don't even have proof that the Caldwells poisoned me."

"Not yet," she corrected.

"I've already requested all the security footage from that morning," Cole interjected. He had been so quiet I almost forgot he was still here.

Mum exhaled in relief. "That's good news."

"Yeah, medicine after poison. Literally," Chloe muttered, rolling her eyes before turning back to me. "Even without the footage, we already know who did it."

Mum shook her head. "That's not the biggest problem right now. Your sister was just accused of murder, Chloe. That's what we should be focused on."

I swallowed hard. She was right. My gaze turned to Cole. Mr. Caldwell had promised he'd protect me, so he would right?

Cole took a step forward, his expression unreadable. "Astrid, you're underestimating how much power you actually have."

I frowned. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"The Caldwells know you're inexperienced in their world. And they're using that against you."

"Get to the point," Chloe snapped.

Cole shot her a cold look, and she immediately quieted.

"You have money and power now," he continued. "What you lack is influence. My advice? The moment you're out of this hospital, throw a massive party. Invite everyone—business moguls, social elites, politicians—people who matter."

I blinked. "A party? How is that supposed to help?"

"The Caldwells still have connections, even if they're struggling financially. Their last weapon is pulling favors from their remaining allies. If you want control over them, you need to take that away. The best way to do that? Turn their allies into your allies. Leave them isolated, with no one left to pull strings for them."

"So you think they called in a favor to have me accused of murder?"

"They're calling in favors everywhere. Because they know that's all they have left."

Understanding slowly dawned on me. "And if I host a party..."

"You'll shift the power dynamic in your favor," Cole finished smoothly.

"People follow the money," Chloe added.

"Exactly." Cole nodded.

I exhaled, my mind racing. "That still doesn't clear my name."

"Let me worry about that," Cole said.

There was something chilling in his tone.

I wasn't sure if I should feel relieved... or afraid.

I stared at him, trying to process everything he was saying. The sheer audacity of it.

Throw a party? Right after being poisoned and accused of murder?

It sounded insane.

But the worst part? It actually made sense.

The Caldwells weren't just trying to ruin me—they were strategic about it. They knew I was new to this world, inexperienced in the games of power and influence. They had wealth and connections, but their financial standing was crumbling. Their only weapon now was manipulation.

And I was their main target.

Unless I did something about it.

I let out a slow breath. "So you're saying... I need to outmaneuver them?"

Cole nodded. "You need to remind everyone who's really in charge now."

Chloe grinned, clearly liking this plan. "I love this. We'll throw the most extravagant, talked-about event of the year. The Caldwells won't know what hit them."

Mum, however, still looked uncertain. "I don't know if this is the right move. Shouldn't we be focused on clearing your name first?"

"I'll take care of that," Cole repeated, his voice firm.

Something about the way he said it sent a chill down my spine.

I turned to him. "How?"

His expression remained unreadable. "Leave that to me."

I wanted to push further, but my body was already exhausted from the day's events.

"Fine," I said, leaning back against the pillows. "We'll do it."

Chloe beamed, but Mum still looked worried.

And Cole?

Cole simply smirked.

Something told me whatever he had planned...

Wouldn't be legal.

***

The hospital room was quiet after Mum and Chloe left. Mum had been reluctant to go, but Chloe had convinced her that staying overnight wouldn't change anything. Besides, someone needed to start preparing for the party.

That left just me and Cole.

He stood near the window, arms crossed, staring out at the city as if deep in thought. The dim hospital lighting casted shadows across his face, making him look even more unreadable than usual.

I shifted against the pillows, my body still sore. "Alright, they're gone. Now tell me—what exactly are you planning?"

Cole didn't turn around. "I already told you. Leave it to me."

"Yeah, and I already told you I don't like vague answers." My voice was sharper than I intended, but I was done playing games. "If I'm going to trust you, I need to know what I'm agreeing to."

He finally turned, his expression unreadable. "You want control over the Caldwells? That doesn't come from throwing a party, Astrid. That's just a statement. What you really need is Fear."

A chill ran down my spine. "Fear?"

He took slow steps toward my bed. "You think the Caldwells are afraid of you? They're not. Right now, they see you as a nuisance—someone they can easily get rid off. That needs to change."

I swallowed. "And how do you suggest I do that?"

Cole smirked. "Accidents happen. People slip up. Sometimes they disappear altogether."

My stomach twisted. "You're not seriously suggesting—"

"Relax." He chuckled. "I'm not talking about anything drastic."

Somehow, I didn't believe him.

Cole leaned closer, lowering his voice. "But we do need to make an example out of someone. If the Caldwells realize there are consequences for messing with you, they'll think twice before trying something like this again."

My throat felt dry. "Who?"

He straightened, his smirk never fading. "That depends. Who do you want to make an example of?"

I stared at him, my pulse pounding. This was a game I had never played before. But the Caldwells had drawn first blood.

And maybe Cole was right. Maybe it was time to show them who they were dealing with.

If the Caldwells wanted a war…

I'd give them one.