Chooses Madness 126

Chapter 126 

a 

4 55 vouchers 

The Mitchell family was offering way too much money. And Kayla desperately needed it. 

Payton pressed his lips together before he just asked. “Are you really that broke?” 

Kayla came from money. She was at that age where life should be easy. Most people in her situation would want revenge, not a payoff. They’d want the person who hurt them punished. The money wouldn’t even 

matter. 

But Kayla had let Hailey off the hook for cash. Sure, the Mitchells were offering a ton, but that wasn’t the whole story. Kayla was desperate for money, a massive amount of money. 

What does she need that kind of cash for?‘ Payton wondered. Then, he remembered overhearing that conversation between Kayla and Max. His expression darkened. ‘Is living with the Sextons really that bad?‘ 

Kayla blinked, caught off guard. Then, she laughed and decided to mess with him. “Yep, I’m totally broke. Like, seriously broke. What, you gonna lend me some?” 

Payton’s face went red. He shook his head. “I don’t have any money.” He couldn’t even cover his mom’s hospital bills. Some stranger had stepped in to help with those. There was no way he could lend Kayla anything. 

Kayla waved it off with a grin. She’d only been teasing anyway. “I’m just messing with you. Like I’d ever actually be short on cash.” 

But Payton just stared at her, his expression completely serious. “I don’t have money now, but I will someday. If you ever run into trouble, come find me. I can help you.” 

Kayla froze. She could tell he wasn’t just saying it. This was a promise. Something tightened in her chest, but she quickly masked it with a laugh. “Come to you? I’m Kayla, heir to the Sexton family fortune. What kind of trouble could I possibly have? You’re joking, right?” 

‘He’s gonna think I’m some spoiled brat and just walk away, Kayla thought. 

But Payton’s face grew even more serious. All traces of lightness vanished from his expression. 

Kayla’s heart skipped a beat, and her smile died. It felt like he could see right through her, and she hated it, ted it. Her voice went cold. “Just worry about yourself.” 

“What’s Payton gonna do anyway?‘ Kayla thought. He’s broke, no family connections, nothing. Ha can’t help me deal with Jackson and Tristian. Jackson could crush him and his whole family without even trying 

Kayla had already hurt Payton enough in her past life. She wasn’t going to drag him down again. 

With that, Kayla didn’t even say goodbye. She just turned and walked away. 

Payton stood there watching her go, his expression unreadable. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. 

***** 

18:56 Wed, Oct 15 

Chapter 126 

Ever since Marianna heard that Hailey got out of the police station, she’d been a nervous wreck. She wouldn’t even go home alone after school anymore. 

Davon, you don’t think Hailey’s gonna come after us, do you?” Maria clung to his arm, her voice shaky. 

Marianna had always figured that with Kayla’s vindictive streak and her family’s connections, once Hailey got hauled into the police station, she wouldn’t be walking out anytime soon. 

Maria had been counting on Hailey spending at least a few years in juvie. By the time she got out, Maria would be long gone, living her life somewhere else. 

But Marianna never expected the Mitchell family to be this powerful. They got Hailey out in just a few days, and she came out completely unscathed. 

If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have confronted her that day when she started getting suspicious. Maria thought miserably. At least then I could’ve kept playing nice and stringing that idiot along.‘ 

Now Hailey was out, and Marianna was terrified that Hailey might actually come looking for her. 

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