Upon hearing Ava’s words, the senior police officer stepped forward, his boots clicking sharply against the marble tiles. His hands rested firmly on his hips, and his face hardened into a stern, unwavering mask of authority. “Enough of this!” he barked.Every eye turned toward the uniformed officer.“You two have been caught lying. You tried to frame two innocent people for your reckless behavior. And now, after all of that, you think pleading and crying will save you? Let me make this clear: you could be charged for deliberately framing someone else.”Sophia’s head drooped at once, her shoulders shaking. Ava, on the other hand, had her trembling hands clasped together, her voice rising in desperate supplication.“Please… please have mercy on my daughter!” Ava cried once more.Her knees remained firmly planted on the floor and her body trembled violently.“We didn’t mean… we didn’t think… we just wanted to sell our items to get money for the company! We… we were desperate!”The off

The shopkeeper finished examining the antiques and jewelry that Ava and Sophia had brought with them.One by one, he set them down on the polished glass counter. His expression remained unreadable.He lifted the final item—a delicate gold pocket watch, engraved with an old family crest—and inspected it beneath the warm lights. Then he placed the pocket watch gently onto the counter. He straightened, smoothed his palms over his apron, and lifted her eyes to meet Ava’s.“Madam, your items are worth fifty million dollars in total.”Ava’s knees buckled beneath her. She swayed forward, catching herself just before she collapsed. Her breath hitched in her throat, choking her. Sophia felt her stomach drop so fast that she nearly staggered backward.Fifty million?“But,” the shopkeeper continued, “the glass items your daughter broke cost over two hundred and thirty million dollars.”The words rang through the expensive boutique like a judge’s gavel slamming down.Sophia felt the world ti

Heads turned sharply, confusion rippling across the boutique like a sudden gust of wind. Shoppers froze mid-step, eyes widening. Even the soft instrumental music playing through the ceiling speakers seemed to stumble, as though the entire building itself paused at Sophia’s wild accusation. Brandon didn’t flinch. He didn’t bristle. He didn’t even look offended. He simply stood there, tall and composed, his hands resting casually in his pockets as though he were watching a mild argument between strangers. His expression remained perfectly neutral. Then, without raising his voice or showing even an ounce of irritation, Brandon chuckled softly. “Sophia,” he said, tilting his head slightly as though speaking to a stubborn child, “what if it’s my card?” Sophia blinked rapidly, stunned—then she suddenly threw her head back and burst into laughter. “Your card?” she repeated mockingly, her voice echoing off the marble walls. “Brandon, honestly… are you trying to be

Just before Brandon and Jessica left the mall, Jessica paused mid-step, tilting her head in Sophia’s direction, lips curling into a sly smirk.“You know, you promised something, Sophia. That extra twenty million… you do realize you have to live up to your word.”Sophia raised her hand, waving frantically, signaling Jessica to stop talking. But Jessica only stepped closer, her smirk widening as she ignored every desperate gesture.“Live up to your promise, Sophia. You said it. And the world doesn’t forget, you know.”Some of the spectators—mall shoppers who had been gathering at a safe distance, eyes wide with intrigue—had been whispering to one another. Murmurs of laughter, exclamations of disbelief, and comments about the entire scene had filled the air for minutes. Now, emboldened, a few stepped forward.“We won’t allow them to leave,” one man called out, pointing at Sophia and Ava. “The lady promised twenty million extra! Everything’s on record! You don’t get to walk away after

Jessica was practically bouncing with excitement as she approached the towering glass-and-steel structure of Scott Holdings, her heels clicking briskly against the polished pavement.Today wasn’t just any ordinary day—it was her mother’s birthday, the grand celebration they had been preparing for weeks. She stopped just a few steps from the entrance, pausing to adjust her clutch against her hip, then she spotted Brandon leaning casually near the entrance.He looked as effortlessly composed as ever—hands in his pockets, posture relaxed, face unreadable but undeniably charismatic. She hadn’t expected him to be here so early. The moment she saw him, her mind leaped back to their outing at the mall the day before. Brandon helping her choose the green gown. Brandon insisting she try the off-shoulder style. Brandon giving small, thoughtful comments that made her blush more than once.He must have come so that they could both attend the party she had initially invited him to, she thought