The Beggar’s Throne

Chapter Seven

“Why now?” Diane muttered, more to herself than to him.

“She’s obviously playing a game and up to something that definitely won't favor us,” Holt said. “And she’s got the influence. That black card’s real. The accounts are active again.”

Diane stood, walking to the window. 

“You need me to find out who it is,” she said.

“Yes,” Holt replied. “Quietly, with no trace. If she gets the upper hand…”

“She won’t,” Diane cut in. “I still have ears around, If the heir’s anywhere close to us, I’ll know.”

“Good,” Holt said. “And Diane…”

She paused. “What?”

“If Vivian learns what we did to Michael… what you did…”

Diane’s eyes darkened. “She won’t.”

“Let’s hope not,” Holt said and ended the call.

Diane stared at her reflection in the glass. Her heartbeat was still normal, but her thoughts and mind weren't.

If the heir was already in motion… if he was close…

She couldn’t afford mistakes. Not now. Not after all these years.

She turned from the window and made a call of her own.

“Get me access to Kane Tower,” she told her assistant. “Everything. Staff, security feeds, deliveries. Quietly.”

She hung up and whispered to herself.

“Let’s see who you are.”

Diane sat at her sleek office desk in the Carter Group, her hand on her cheek as she thought.

Waiting for every link to the mysterious heir of the Kane Syndicate.

She didn’t know the heir’s name yet, but she thought she was getting closer.

She called holt and they decided to meet as they got a lead.

At six pm, Diane sneaked out of her own mansion, in a Highlander that's not flashy too avoid the attention, twyn she met up with Holt.

Together, they decided to follow the leads.

They found a clue in the security logs at Kane Tower, which her ally had sent her.

Someone had used the elevators late at night.

The logs showed visits to a local bar Jake often went to.

The bar was lit, smoky, with the smell of old whiskey.

Diane and Holt drove quietly to the bar.

Diane’s heart beat fast.

She was walking a dangerous path but needed answers desperately.

Insidethe bar, Jake sat at the far end, nursing a drink and watching people dancing 

He looked calm, like he belonged there.

Holt stayed near the entrance, watching, and ready to move into the car Incase of anything.

Diane’s eyes searching and following the gps lead.

Suddenly, a sharp pain hit her from behind.

She stumbled and fell.

Holt ran inside immediately toward the attacker but was blocked by a few men who quickly dragged Diane out of sight.

Someone had hit her hard, with a bottle— someone protecting Jake.

Her vision blurred, and she lost consciousness.

Diane was rushed into the hospital in a hospital bed. Flashing cameras and reporters crowded the entrance.

“What happened to Diane Carter?” they shouted, snapping photos.

Security pushed them back. The hospital doors closed quickly behind Diane.

Inside, a nurse called Diane’s family.

Richard answered first. His voice was tense. “What happened to Diane?”

“We’re not sure yet,” the nurse said. “She was found unconscious and brought here. She in a critical condition and she's loosing blood a lot, she might fall into a comaa.”

The Carter family gathering at the IU alongside Jake, the nurse came out, “she lost a lot of blood, and her blood group is O- we need a donor in 1 hour, or she sleeps into a coma”.

“None of us match,” Greg said, with frustration and fear.

Amanda nodded, looking toward the door. “What about Jake?”

“I don't know my blood group” Jake responded “well we'll take your sample and check it” the nurse said and took Jake to a smaller room. 

Minutes later Jake came out and waited his results.

Amanda with tears on her eyes, nurse please could I see my mum, “yes but only for two minutes”.

Amanda sat beside her mother, gently brushing a strand of hair from Diane’s face. Machines beeped steadily beside the bed, the only signs of life.

Diane’s lips moved, whispering one word over and over — “Holt… Holt… Holt…”

Amanda blinked, confused. “What?”

She didn’t know who Holt was, but the name sounded important.

She stayed a few more minutes, then quietly stepped out of the room, heading down the hallway to where the rest of the Carter family waited.

“She’s not waking up,” Amanda told them, voice tight. “But she’s murmuring something. A name.”

“What name?” Richard asked.

Amanda shook her head. “Holt, I think. I don’t know who that is.”

Before anyone could respond, a nurse approached quickly.

“We’ve tested everyone,” she said, urgent. “Jake’s blood is a match. O-negative.”

All eyes turned to Jake.

He didn’t say a word. Just gave a small nod.

“I’ll do it,” he said.

A few minutes later, Jake was guided into the ICU. The nurse moved swiftly, prepping for the transfusion.

As he approached Diane’s bed, he heard it.

“Holt…”

Jake froze.

His pulse jumped. His jaw clenched.

That name.

The name that had haunted his life.

He stared at Diane—unconscious, fragile, whispering a ghost.

He snapped back acting like he just didn't hear something.

The nurse didn’t seem to notice.

“Holt…” Diane murmured again, lips barely moving.

Jake said nothing.

He sat down calmly, rolled up his sleeve.

As the transfusion began, he watched her closely.

Pretending he didn’t hear.

Pretending Holt meant nothing.

“What does she know? How does she know that name?Could this be a link? Is she connected to my dad's death? "Several thoughts ran through Jake's head.

Jake left the hospital without telling a soul. He didn't speak to Amanda. Didn’t update the Carter family.

He got into his battered Honda, his hands shaking slightly, as he drove. 

There was only one person he trusted with what he just heard.

Vivian Cross.

It was late. He didn’t care.

When he reached her estate, he didn’t call ahead. Just parked, walked through the private side entrance, and knocked.

Her gate creaked open.

Vivian stood in the doorway in a long gray robe, barefoot, a glass of wine in her hand. 

“Jake? She said in shock upon seeing Jake.

“You weren’t supposed to check in until tomorrow.”

“I know,” Jake said, stepping past her. “But something happened.”

She followed him inside, closing the door behind her. “Talk.”

Jake stood in her entrance under the dim chandelier light. 

“Diane Carter’s in a coma.”

Vivian blinked. “What?”

“She was attacked at a bar tonight. Someone hit her hard. Knocked her out cold. I was there.”

Vivian raised an eyebrow. “With her?”

“No. I went alone. Diane showed up probably minutes later,probably following me. Someone hit her over the head. Ambulance came fast. No one saw who did it.”

Vivian moved to the mantle. “And Holt?”

“I don’t know if he was there himself. But she was murmuring his name in the ICU. Over and over. ‘Holt.’ Just that.”

Vivian’s expression changed. She lowered her glass. “She probably followed you then, or maybe a signal, but it didn't happen by chance”.

Jake nodded. “That’s what I think. She and Holt must’ve followed me to the bar… but something went sideways.”

“I didn't see anyone there, like her buddy or someone who knew her, I hid and didn't let anyone know I was at the bar,” Vivian murmured.

“Or maybe someone else was watching.”

Jake ran a hand through his hair. “Why would Diane Carter—CEO, media darling, old money royalty—end up at a bar on Division Street?”