Sophie clenched her fists tightly. She clearly didn't want to apologize. Her pride wouldn't allow her to admit that she had been wrong, especially in front of everyone.
But the security footage was displayed right in front of them. There was no way for her to deny what had happened. Everyone had seen it.
After several seconds of silence, Sophie finally turned toward Lily. Her expression was cold and unwilling. "I'm sorry."
The words were barely audible. Lily looked at her nervously. "It's okay, ma'am."
Sophie didn't say anything else. She quickly looked away, clearly embarrassed by the situation.
Anne had been watching everything silently. She didn't say anything about Sophie's apology.
Instead, her eyes moved toward Olivia. "And you."
Olivia's eyes widened. "Me?"
Anne looked directly at her. "You knew your mother caused the accident."
Olivia immediately shook her head. "No, Sister. I didn't." Her voice trembled slightly. "I really didn't know."
Anne continued looking at her. "You didn't?"
Olivia shook her head quickly. "No." She tried to make her expression look innocent. "I thought Lily really caused the accident. I didn't know Mom had accidentally done it."
Anne studied her face carefully. For several seconds, she didn't say anything. Olivia's heart began beating faster under Anne's gaze.
Does she believe me?
She tried to keep her expression calm.
Finally, Anne looked away. "Fine."
She didn't argue. She didn't accuse Olivia again. She didn't even ask her another question.
Instead, Anne turned toward the manager. "Take care of the customers and make sure Lily isn't blamed for this."
The manager immediately nodded. "Yes, Miss Anne."
Anne glanced toward Lily. The young employee was still standing nervously at the side. Anne gave her a small reassuring look. "Go back to work."
Lily nodded quickly. "Yes, Miss Anne."
Anne then turned toward Clara. "Let's go."
Clara nodded. "Come on." She picked up her handbag and walked toward Anne. Megan and the bodyguard followed them.
Anne started walking toward the exit. But as she passed Jason, she suddenly stopped.
Their eyes met. For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. There were so many things Jason wanted to say.
He wanted to ask if her wrist was hurting. He wanted to take her hand and look at the wound himself. He wanted to tell her that he was sorry.
Sorry that she had been hurt. Sorry that he had to stand there and pretend he didn't care. But there were too many people watching. He couldn't do any of that.
Anne simply gave him a polite nod. "Mr. Black."
Jason's heart tightened at the distance in her voice. "Anne…"
She paused. Jason's eyes moved toward her wrist. The marks were still visible.
He frowned slightly. "Take care of yourself."
Anne looked at him for a moment. There was something strange in his eyes. Something she couldn't quite understand.
But she didn't question it. Instead, she gave him a faint smile. "You too."
Then she walked away. Jason stood there silently. He watched her disappear through the glass doors.
Only when she was completely gone did he realize that his hands were clenched tightly at his sides. He slowly released them.
Russ quietly approached him. "Sir?"
Jason didn't answer immediately. His gaze remained fixed on the entrance. His expression was calm on the outside.
But inside, he was angry. Not at Anne but at himself. He had watched her get hurt and could do nothing.
Finally, Jason spoke. "Find out everything about what happened today."
Russ immediately nodded. "Yes, sir."
Jason's eyes darkened. "And I want the security footage copied."
Russ understood that Jason wasn't only talking about the incident with Lily. There was something else behind his words. "Yes, sir."
Meanwhile, Olivia had been watching Jason carefully. She had noticed everything.
The way his eyes had followed Anne. The concern in his voice.
The way his expression had changed when he looked at Anne's injured wrist.
And most importantly— The way he had watched Anne until she disappeared.
Olivia's fingers slowly curled into her palms.
He still cares about her.
The thought made her chest tighten.
For years, she had tried to convince herself that Jason's feelings for Anne were nothing more than the remnants of an old relationship.
She had told herself that Jason would eventually forget Anne.
After all, he was now her fiancé, but today had made one thing painfully clear. She could no longer be certain. Jason still reacted to Anne.
He still watched her and he still cared when she was hurt. Olivia lowered her gaze.
A dark feeling slowly filled her heart.
I can't let this continue.
Before she could think any further, Sophie walked toward her. "Let's go."
Olivia didn't move. Her eyes remained fixed on the glass doors.
Sophie frowned. "Olivia." Olivia finally looked at her.
Before she could answer, Eva's cold voice suddenly stopped Sophie. "Sophie."
Sophie turned around. Eva was standing a short distance away. Her expression was colder than usual.
She looked directly at Sophie. "Next time you decide to cause trouble, make sure there aren't cameras watching."
Sophie froze. Her face changed immediately. She hadn't expected Eva to say that.
Eva didn't wait for her response. She simply walked past her.
Sophie clenched her jaw. She wanted to say something. But there was nothing she could say. The footage had already exposed her.
Madison remained behind for a moment. Her eyes moved toward the entrance. The place where Anne had disappeared. Then she looked at Olivia.
Something had changed inside her. For the first time, Madison wasn't completely certain about what she had believed for years.
She had always believed Olivia was the innocent one. She had always believed Anne was the distant daughter who didn't need her.
But today…
She had seen something different. She had seen Anne being blamed again and she had seen Anne accept it quietly.
Madison slowly turned toward Olivia. "Let's go home."
Olivia forced a smile. "Okay, Aunt Madison."
But inside, her thoughts were racing. The camera footage had exposed her mother. Anne had seen through everything.
And worst of all— Jason had witnessed it.
Olivia lowered her gaze.
I can't let this happen again.
Her fingers slowly tightened. She didn't know what she would do yet. But one thing was certain. She couldn't allow Anne to become close to Jason again.