"How dare you boast about something you stole?! You're just a good-for-nothing, illegitimate child!" Leah spat.
Selina clenched her jaw, those harsh words ringing in her head. She lifted her trembling hand to her stinging cheek, now bright red, with tears prickling in the corners of her eyes all over again.
But she couldn't bring herself to cry in front of Leah or anyone from the Everett family anymore to look weak.
"This must be resolved in custody. I've contacted the authorities. Let's see how you manage to run with five hundred million." Leah declared. It was the critical step she took by making a report to the police the moment she discovered the assets gone an hour ago after receiving a call from the hospital.
The words echoed coldly in Selina's mind, the distant wail of sirens sending chills down her spine. It wasn't the fear of being captured that gripped her, but the agony of feeling powerless and always seen as the scapegoat—while the real culprit might be somewhere, perhaps relaxing peacefully.
But she wouldn't suffer this way. No. She wouldn't.
Suddenly, Selina saw three police officers entering. They approached her quickly.
"We've received your report. Please show us the suspect," one officer said, professional and direct.
Leah pointed at Selina. "There she is. Arrest her!"
The officers exchanged a look before the lead one stepped forward. "Mrs. Everett, we'll need evidence—documents, records, or a statement from Mr. Hudson himself. Do you have any?"
Leah faltered, her lips parting, then closing again. "My husband is still undergoing surgery, but she has always been leeching around him—who else could it be? Isn't the disappearance of assets enough?"
"That's suspicion, not proof," the officer said flatly, then turned to Selina. "Where were you during Mr. Hudson's attack?"
Selina froze. She wished she could tell the truth and end this—but the weight of it would crush both her father and Zane. The truth gnawed inside her, knowing she couldn't reveal it to the authorities yet, even though they were the ones who could help to stop Zane.
The officer's eyes narrowed at her hesitation. "You don't have to be afraid," he said, his tone clipped but steady. "If someone threatened you, you can say it now."
Selina's fingers curled into the fabric of her dress as she steadied herself. "I went to deliver in the KS hotel. I haven't met with my father for the past few days."
The officer turned back to Leah and Clarissa. "Without evidence or a lead, we can't make an arrest. We'll file your report and review it. Once the victim wakes, we'll pursue the case further."
"But officers, you can't leave the matter like that without taking her for questioning." Clarissa pressed bitterly.
"I've asked her what's necessary. Any other investigation relies on the victim's cooperation. I'll assign a team to watch over his safety here." The officer said, trying to sound logical.
Leah scoffed, struggling to contain her frustration. "We should wait? What if this girl runs away with everything and is never seen? How will you take responsibility?"
The senior officer stared at Selina, holding back his words. The officers withdrew, and the hushed murmurs swelled into a storm.
Phones stayed raised, recording, as Selina stood stiff and burning, humiliation wrapping her like a cloak. She hadn't been cuffed, but the cameras had already branded her—accused by her own family.
Her quiet, burning glare seared through Leah and Clarissa, sharp with disappointment, fury threatening to spill.
Without hesitation, Selina walked out of the hospital with her hands clenched into fists. Right now, she wishes to pour out her emotions with someone.
Unfortunately, she had no real friend or anyone to call hers.
****
[Who is that unattractive girl who harmed Clarissa's father?]
[I think she's just some idle countryside girl looking for someone to drain. I'm shocked she actually did that.]
[Hard to believe such an innocent-looking girl could have such a heartless disposition.]
[We don't need that woman in our society. She's too vile. Too greedy.]
[Poor Clarissa and her family must be in so much agony now.]
With a slim thumb scrolling over the iPad screen, Zane skimmed through the heated comments beneath the article. His expression remained unreadable amidst the storm of comments tearing Selina's reputation apart.
He hadn't expected it to spiral quite this way.
Dropping the new device onto the table, Zane resumed eating his pasta which Selina brought for him. But then, he heard dinner footsteps approaching briskly towards his direction.
"How's it going?" Zane asked Damien, who had just entered. He twirled his fork through the pasta, precise and elegant.
"I've admitted Hudson to the hospital as you requested. Selina was almost arrested, but it didn't go through—lack of evidence," Damien reported, noticing the calculated calm behind his boss's expression. He paused, his tone deepening. "If the Everetts push harder when things start to crumble for them, I worry she might be forced to tell the truth."
Zane brought a bite to his mouth, chewing slowly while he calculate the situation; that his assistant was right, especially about Leah, who was unwavering protective, and fierce in guarding the family's assets.
If not for a certain reason, he wanted to see them suffer more than he had imagined from the start.
"What should I do then?" he muttered lazily.
Damien frowned. "We can't let a single threat near you. What do you want me to do, boss? Should I elimi—"
"We can't act recklessly and draw suspicion. She's too devoted to her father. That devotion will keep her cautious. She's just a mere threat," he firmly declined Damien's suggestion.
Damien's eyes narrowed slightly. "But boss, are you really letting her go? Sparing Hudson?"
"I don't know. Just curious how things will play out."
Without a direct answer, Damien understood Zane had something else in mind—something unspoken.
"So, about the assets?"
"It's done," Damien replied evenly. "Within twelve hours, Hudson's assets were shifted through layered accounts and merged into the holding trust. On paper, a routine consolidation. A portion went to a charitable fund, just as you instructed. No one will suspect."
"Good. Donate the rest to an orphanage."
"Understood, sir," Damien nodded, handing over a folder. "So far, I've gathered the information you requested. It's exactly as he claimed that day."
Zane took the folders, flipping one open and scanning the stark, promising figures staring back. Before Hudson could give in, his men had to beat the stubborn old man into signing over the assets under the plea of sparing that unattractive daughter of his.
He believed Hudson was selfish and greedy—that he'd kill to get what he wanted—and for such men, discarding loved ones to protect their wealth was no compromise.
Surprisingly, Hudson gave in so quickly over a single threat. His precious daughter, Selina.
Zane closed the folder with a flick, tossing it casually beside the other.
"Proceed with the next plan."
"Understood, sir."
He reached for a glass of water, sipping slowly. He settled the cup back down, savoring the delicious taste of her cooking, and couldn't deny how much he craved it.
He grasped his fork again and turned to dismiss Damien when the landline in his suite rang sharply.
Damien glanced at his boss. "Who's calling? Do you have a visitor?" he asked, suspecting it could be from the reception.
"Check it out."
Damien nodded and rushed to the phone, the sharp ring piercing the quiet. He lifted the handset.
Before he could speak, a voice came through. "Master Zane!"
"This is Damien speaking," Damien replied, recognizing the housekeeper's voice. "What's the matter?"
"I...I think Ms Selina is missing. She hasn't returned home yet. She doesn't stay out this late. I don't know if she's over there or where she might be. Can you deliver this to Master Zane?" the housekeeper said.
"Okay."
The call ended.
Damien turned back to his boss. "Something's wrong at the mansion. Ms. Selina hasn't returned."
Slicing through his steak, Zane said nonchalantly, "She's not a child. She'll find her way home."
Damien shifted uneasily, sensing his boss's indifference towards his madam. He had known his boss didn't regard Selina to be his wife from the beginning for many reasons.
Damien couldn't say a word when he met Zane's deep, unyielding, and expressionless amber eyes, telling him silently to leave since his work for the day was over.
But he had to reason with his boss.
"Boss, the city's been dangerous lately, with all the crime. We need her safety." Damien forced his words, hoping Zane would reconsider this time. Yes, he was in a hurry to get rid of his madam, but now he believed there was another motive beneath.
Zane shouldn't bother himself with matters related to her, though it wouldn't be wise if she got hurt either.
He glanced at his wristwatch, seeing it was past ten in the night.
"Should I find her and bring her home?" Damien asked.
Zane dropped the fork in his hands on the table. Then, his steely eyes drifted to the yoghurt across from the table in the living room, staring at him pitifully.