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“Just so heartbreaking that the core of all of this was the story about a mother trying to save a son, or a son trying to save his mother.”
“Nadia, I can’t believe we’re still learning new details about the downfall of Fritz Rothchelton. Tell us the latest.”
“Well, the latest is a new connection between the Rothchelton scandal and a local family in Cedra Valley, Texas. Sources report that the youngest son of the Prestige family was in a prior romantic relationship with the girlfriend of Fritz Rothchelton’s grandson.”
“So the girlfriend of—”
“The current girlfriend of Rothchelton’s grandson had previously been in a relationship with the youngest son of the Prestige family.”
“This is interesting. I’ve heard of the Prestiges. They’re also old money, but on a way, way smaller scale than the Rothcheltons.”
“There were allegations and claims of abuse at his hand. Her father reportedly confronted the son to leave his daughter alone, and fearing for his life, the boyfriend murdered her father.”
“Are you kidding me?” The other newscaster was horrified.
“The evidence was documented. We have to still use the word ‘allegedly’, but the abuse seems to be factual. There was a local investigation done, but no formal charges were brought forward with the murder.”
“Prestige is currently facing a possible civil suit for a blog written about the relationship. It’s been since taken down, and the civil suit is moving forward, but a judge has granted a restraining order against Prestige on the girl’s behalf. There have been previous restraining orders filed against Prestige as well, and after her father’s death, one was granted.” The reporter waved a hand in the air, leaning back in his chair. “There've been some other incidents, one involving a fraternity party and a vehicle vandalism, but apparently that’s all cannon fodder.”
“Cannon fodder?! Who still talks like that? Cannon fodder. Tell me, Garrett, do you even know how to spell cannon fodder?” They were back to laughing.
“A new investigation has been launched into the death of Brett Williams. New evidence and new sources have come forward.”
Cedra Valley Gazette
“The Cedra Valley Police Department has announced they plan to file formal charges in the death of Brett Williams. More details to come.”
Cedra Valley Gazette
88
RAMSAY
Holy Mother of God, it was almost Christmas. I was saying that because we were in church, and I was praying to Mother Mary so I wouldn’t murder one of my cousins. I was stuck between Clint and Trenton. Alex was on the other side of Trenton, and Scout by his side. We’d come for Cohen, who’d come for Amalia because she was partaking in a Christmas choir program. I was getting tired of the up and down, but the Christmas songs were nice.
Since being in Pine River, and since everything that happened, I had started a new obsession with Christmas. I liked everything about it. The singing. The festivities. The snowmen. The gifts. The parties, but I luh-ved Christmas lights.
But I also really liked experiencing the holiday with my boyfriend.
Scout got here last because of a legal meeting he and Miles attended.
With the fallout from his mom’s pressing charges, and then further doing one in-depth interview that aired on primetime, the shockwaves were significant. His grandfather was rumored to be holed up in Tuscany while his other uncle was now at the steering wheel and controlling everything. One part of him taking over was extending an olive branch to both Scout’s mom and Miles. The one brother, who I hadn’t met and didn’t know if I ever would, was still running the show, but Miles had a few new roles to help with the Chelton Hotel in our area. Scout mentioned other responsibilites, but it was all in business speak.
I didn’t speak business speak.
His mom, who’d I met on numerous occasions over the last two months, was planning on returning to the family business, but after an extended stay in a mental health facility. Her trauma was severe and very real, but Scout spoke to her daily so that was all very good news.
And I never could’ve imagined how his mom’s move was going to affect my own life.
Max was being officially charged with the homicide of my father. The trial was set to start in the summer. My mom offered for us to go back for it, more to visit my dad’s gravesite, but the trial was the other reason.
I’d need to testify. The lawyers had been clear about that, but I was offered to do it via Zoom so we’d see what I wanted to do when that time came.
My father’s other family also stopped contesting his will. And our settlement came through against Max’s family. All of that helped ease some of the financial burdens my mom had been shouldering. She wasn’t working at the nursing home. She didn’t even need to work anymore, but she enjoyed it so she’d been hired to manage a crafting store in Pine River. The owner approached my mom, offered her the job then and there. My mom was loving it so far. I couldn’t pronounce the lady’s name, so I never tried. My mom called her Mrs. Meemow.
