I Inherited Trillions, Now What?-Chapter 137 Reaction

In different parts of the nation, people were reacting to the breaking news in their own ways.

Bel-Air, California

Inside a massive mansion, Stephanie Riverplate stood frozen, her eyes locked onto the television screen. The headline blared at her in bold, unrelenting letters, and the voice of Detective Olivia Kensington rang clear, cutting through the noise of her own thoughts. The accusations against her brother, Alexander Blackwell, echoed in her mind like a relentless drumbeat.

"This isn't possible..." she muttered under her breath, her fingers tightening around the remote as if she could somehow change the reality unfolding before her.

From the hallway, a deep voice called out, snapping her momentarily from her daze.

"Stephanie, let's go. The fertility specialist will be here any moment. You know how hard it was to get her to come."

David Riverplate, her husband—a big-time Hollywood producer and director—stood at the doorway, his expression impatient but quickly shifting to confusion as he noticed his wife unmoving. His brows furrowed as he took a step inside, his presence looming.

"Stephanie? What's taking you so long?" His voice was softer now, concern lacing his words.

Stephanie didn't respond, her gaze remained fixed on the television screen. It was only when David moved further into the room that he caught sight of the headline flashing in front of her. His body tensed as he absorbed the words. His eyes widened in shock.

"No way. That can't be possible," he said, almost to himself. He turned to Stephanie, expecting some kind of reaction, some kind of confirmation that this was all a misunderstanding. But she just stood there, unmoving, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the remote.

David hesitated, then took a step closer to her, standing by her side as they both stared at the screen. "Alexander did that?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

Stephanie's head snapped toward him, her expression fierce, her voice sharp and resolute. "No. That's not possible."

David exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "But then what is this? It's all over the news, Stephanie. You can't just—"

"No!" she shouted, cutting him off. Her tone was unwavering, almost desperate, as she shook her head. "It's all a lie."

David studied her, his expression unreadable. "Stephanie..."

"I know Alexander. He might be ruthless, he might be cold, he might be a lot of things—but not this. He wouldn't do this. He couldn't." Her voice wavered slightly, but her conviction remained intact.

Her hands fumbled with her purse, her fingers trembling slightly as she dug through it in search of her phone. "It's not possible," she kept murmuring, as if saying it enough times would make it true.

David watched her, his brows drawing together in concern. "What are you doing?"

"I'm calling the pilot. I'm going to New York now," she announced, her tone firm, unshakable.

David blinked. "What? The pilot?"

"Yes." She pulled out her phone, her fingers swiftly scrolling through her contacts.

David reached out, grabbing her wrist gently but firmly. "Wait. Wait."

Stephanie yanked her hand away. "What?"

David held his ground, his voice steady but insistent. "Stephanie, what are you going to do?"

She gave him an incredulous look. "What do you think? I'm going to talk to him."

"And do what, exactly?" he pressed.

Stephanie's frustration boiled over. She gestured wildly at the screen, her voice rising. "I know Alex!"

David sighed. "I know, I know. You keep saying he wouldn't do this."

"No, not just that." She jerked her hand from his grasp, her expression dark and unreadable. "Alexander is a control freak. He is obsessed with control. And yet, all of this is happening? He is allowing it to happen. And I want to know why."

David narrowed his eyes. "Wait. You think he's allowing this?"

"Yes!" she nearly shouted. "Why? What could he possibly gain from this? Why would he let the family name be dragged through the mud? Why would he sit back and let everything our father built be destroyed? I need to know."

She tried dialing again, but David grabbed her wrist once more. "Stephanie, just calm down for a second."

She glared at him, but something in his voice made her hesitate.

David took a deep breath. "Think about this. Wasn't it you who always said Alexander puts the family name above all else? So why would he do this? Maybe..." He hesitated. "Maybe this isn't him allowing anything. Maybe this is just karma finally catching up to him."

"No, no," Stephanie whispered, shaking her head as if rejecting the very idea.

"Yes," David countered, his voice firmer now. "Look at how he treated you, Stephanie. What's to say he didn't do those things they're accusing him of?"

Stephanie's eyes turned ice-cold. Her voice dropped, her words sharp as a blade. "No. Not Alex."

David scoffed, throwing his hands in the air. "Why are you protecting him so much? With everything he's done to you—"

"Because he's my brother!" she shouted. Her chest heaved with emotion, her eyes burning with intensity. "Because I know he wouldn't do this! Because he is my family. That's why. I am a Blackwell too!"

David's expression hardened. His voice turned cold. "No. You're not."

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Stephanie felt the words cut through her like a knife.

David stepped closer, his voice lower, but firm. "You are a Riverplate now. Don't forget that. You have nothing to do with that family anymore."

Stephanie's breath caught in her throat. Her fingers tightened around her phone as her vision blurred with unshed tears.

David saw the emotion flicker across her face and immediately softened. "Oh, honey... I'm sorry. I didn't mean—"

She turned away sharply, blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay.

David reached out, wrapping his arms around her. "Just put them out of your mind. This doesn't concern you anymore," he murmured, his voice gentle. "Lie down. Rest. I'll call the specialist. Maybe we can have her come here instead."

Stephanie jerked away from him, her body rigid with anger. "Really? That's your solution? Just ignore everything and focus on our perfect little life?" she spat.

David's face twisted in frustration. "What did I do now?" he asked, exasperated.

Stephanie didn't answer. She turned on her heels, storming out of the room without another word.

David watched her go, his expression torn between anger and concern. He turned back to the television, his jaw clenching as he reached for the remote and shut it off with a click.

His fingers drummed against the side of his leg as he exhaled sharply, muttering under his breath. "How can I change her mood now?" He let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. "I thought I was done with this damn family drama..."

Switzerland—Montgomery Hall

A loud slam echoed through the hallway as a door was forcefully shut. On the other side, muffled voices erupted in panic.

"Caroline! Caroline, open the door!" Daphne's voice was frantic as she pounded against the heavy wooden frame. "Caroline, what happened? Talk to me!"

A masculine voice joined her, tense with worry. "Daphne, why did she run off like that?" Paul Orsini's voice carried an urgency, his fist knocking against the door alongside Daphne's.

"How would I know? She just looked at her phone and bolted from class!" Daphne's tone was sharp, her breath labored from chasing after Caroline.

Inside the room, Caroline paced back and forth, her breathing erratic. Her fingers curled tightly into fists before she loosened them, then clenched them again. Her body trembled, her heart pounding violently in her chest.

"No, no, no… It can't be… It's not possible…" she whispered under her breath, shaking her head in disbelief. Her mind swirled in a haze of panic and confusion.

With shaking hands, she snatched her phone and dialed her father's number.

The phone rang once… twice… three times. No answer.

Her pulse quickened. Her fingers became clammy as she redialed.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Still no answer.

"Pick up the goddamn phone!" she screamed, her voice cracking with desperation.

Breathing heavily, she scrolled frantically through her contacts and pressed another number—Sebastian, her father's butler.

Nothing.

Her stomach twisted.

Her heart hammered against her ribs as she called another number—Everlyn, her father's assistant.

No ringing. No response.

"Damn it!" she hissed, gripping the phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. Somebody answer me!

Her thoughts raced in a chaotic loop. This isn't happening. This isn't real.

Then, suddenly, something clicked in her mind. Her breath hitched as she whispered, "Rachel."

Yes. Rachel—her personal maid. She always answered. Always.

Desperately, she scrolled to Rachel's contact and pressed call. The line rang.

"Please pick up… please, please…" Caroline's voice was barely a whisper now, almost like a prayer.

A crackling noise came through the line before a trembling voice finally answered. "M-Miss Caroline…"

Caroline gasped in relief, her fingers gripping the phone like a lifeline. "Rachel! Thank God! Listen to me—do you know where my father is? What's happening? What is the news saying? Is he okay?"

The line crackled again, distorting Rachel's already shaky voice. "M-Ma'am… your father… g-going under… no signal… we would see—"

Then the line went dead.

"Rachel? Rachel!" Caroline shouted, her voice laced with pure terror.

Silence.

"No, no, no—Rachel, answer me!" she pleaded, redialing over and over again.

Each time, it went straight to voicemail.

Her breath came in short, shallow gasps as her vision blurred with tears. Her entire body trembled as a crushing wave of helplessness and fear consumed her.

Then, with a gut-wrenching scream, she flung her phone against the wall. The impact sent pieces flying, shards scattering across the floor.

Outside, Daphne and Paul heard the loud crash, followed by silence.

"Caroline!" Daphne called again, her voice now tinged with genuine fear.

Paul exchanged a worried glance with her. "We need to get in there."

Inside, Caroline stood frozen, her entire body shaking as she stared at the shattered remains of her phone. Her breath was ragged, her heart pounding in her ears.

What the hell is happening?

A deep, sinking feeling settled in her chest. And for the first time in her life, she felt powerless.

Outside, the desperate knocking continued, but Caroline didn't hear it anymore.

Her world was spinning, and she was falling—falling into an abyss of uncertainty and fear.