Inside one of the hotel rooms, an old woman lay weakly on a bed while a young woman stood near the window, nervously watching the surroundings. She kept looking outside, checking the entrance and the road as though she expected someone to appear at any moment.The old woman looked pale and exhausted. Every few seconds, she broke into a cough that made her struggle to catch her breath.After watching the young woman for a while, she finally spoke."Felicia, you still haven't told me anything. Why are we leaving the country so suddenly? You haven't even told me where you got the money to take us abroad. What is going on?"Felicia glanced at her mother before turning her attention back to the window. She watched the road for a few more seconds, making sure nobody was standing outside the hotel."Mom, I'll explain everything once we get there. For now, please don't worry about anything. You need to rest and get better. I'll take care of the rest."Her mother frowned slightly."How can I

Darren had listened quietly as Felicia explained her situation. He understood why she was desperate to save her mother, and he could see that her fear was genuine. However, he also knew that her decision to help Joseph Whitmore had put many other people in danger.After allowing a moment of silence to pass, he finally spoke."Felicia, I understand your situation, and I'm not going to pretend that I know how you feel. Watching your mother suffer while you struggle to find the money to save her must be painful. But you need to understand something as well."Felicia raised her tearful eyes toward him."What?""Your mother isn't the only person whose life is at stake here. Judge Steven has a family, too. His son has been struggling to help him clear his name, and there are other people whose lives could be affected if Joseph gets what he wants. Your decision to help him could destroy their lives."Felicia lowered her head."I know what I did was wrong, but I didn't have a choice.""You h

Darren hurried to freshen up and change into a new set of clothes. He had no idea how long the visit to the president would take, so he made sure he was ready before joining his grandfather.When he came downstairs, Derek was already waiting for him.“Are you ready?” Derek asked.“Yes, Grandpa. We can leave now.”The two of them walked out of the house and got into their car. The driver started the engine and drove toward the presidential residence.As they drove, Derek turned to Darren.“Darren, we cannot go and visit the president empty-handed. He has been a good friend of mine for many years, and it would be rude to show up without a present.”Darren nodded in agreement.“You're right, Grandpa. We should take something suitable for the occasion.”“Do you have anything in mind?” Derek asked. “It doesn't have to be something too expensive, but it should be something that shows our appreciation.”Darren smiled slightly. “Don't worry, Grandpa. I know exactly what we should give him.”D

Derek and Darren arrived at the government house shortly afterward.The presidential residence was heavily guarded, with armed security personnel stationed at the entrance and several others patrolling the compound. Every visitor had to identify themselves and explain the purpose of their visit before being allowed inside.Derek was no stranger to the place. Over the years, he had visited the president several times, and his relationship with the man had always been cordial. They had known each other for many years, long before the president assumed his current position. Derek had also supported several of his political campaigns, making substantial donations when the opportunity arose.Because of their friendship, Derek had never needed to go through the usual procedures whenever he wanted to see the president.On previous visits, the president's chief of staff would personally welcome him at the entrance and escort him straight to the president's office. Even when the president was

Derek stared at the president in disbelief.He had expected resistance, perhaps even a refusal to interfere in the court case, but he had never imagined that Winchester would dismiss him so coldly without even allowing him to finish speaking.“Your Excellency, please,” Derek said, struggling to maintain his composure. “I'm not asking you to do anything against the law. I only want you to hear me out. If not for anything else, please do it for the sake of our friendship.”Winchester stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter.“Friendship?”He shook his head as though Derek had just told him the funniest joke he had ever heard.“Derek, are you seriously talking about friendship at a time like this? Have you become so old that you've forgotten how the world works?”Derek's face stiffened.“What are you talking about?”Winchester stopped spinning the Rolls-Royce key and placed it on his desk. He leaned back comfortably in his chair, looking at Derek with an expression that s