Chapter 13
Author: Treasure
last update2025-11-27 05:44:09

Richard worked through the night preparing for the emergency hearing. His argument was straightforward: Lisa was exploiting a crisis Derek had manufactured to steal custody. But proving Derek's direct involvement remained frustratingly difficult without concrete evidence.

The courtroom felt smaller this time, more suffocating. Damien sat beside Richard, watching Lisa dab at her eyes with a tissue. Patricia Valdez stood with the polished confidence of someone who had already won.

"Your Honor, we
Continue to read this book for free
Scan the code to download the app

Latest Chapter

  • CHAPTER 150

    Damien pushed Marcus to the ground just as the knife slashed through the air where Marcus's back had been seconds before. They hit the grass hard and rolled together.The attacker stumbled from the missed strike but regained his balance quickly. He turned on Damien with cold, emotionless eyes. No anger, no hesitation. Just calculation.This was not a random criminal. This was a professional hired to kill. His movements were controlled and efficient. Every step was intentional.Marcus lay on the ground beneath Damien, staring in shock. His eyes were wide and his breathing came in short gasps. "What's happening?"The attacker raised the knife again. The blade glinted in the afternoon sun. He moved toward them faster this time.Damien scrambled backward, pulling Marcus with him. His hands searched for anything to defend himself with. His fingers closed around a rock from the garden border.He threw it hard, hitting the man's sh

  • CHAPTER 149

    Damien immediately called the rehab center where Marcus was staying. His hands shook as he dialed and he pressed the phone hard against his ear waiting for someone to pick up.The receptionist answered with a cheerful voice that felt wrong given the urgency. "Serenity Hills Recovery Center, how may I help you today?""I need to speak to Marcus Webb right now. It's an emergency." Damien's voice was breaking and urgent.The receptionist's tone remained calm and professional. "I'm sorry sir, but Mr. Webb is currently in a group therapy session and cannot be disturbed. Sessions run until three o'clock."Damien felt panic rising in his throat. "Get him out of there NOW. His life is in danger. This is not a joke."The receptionist, startled by his panic, stuttered. "Sir, I don't understand. What kind of danger are you talking about?""Just get him out of that room and keep him safe. Please. Do it right now before it's too late."

  • CHAPTER 148

    Patricia was hospitalized under guard. Two federal agents stood outside her room at all times while doctors treated her injuries from the crash.She refused to talk to the interrogators. When Torres arrived with questions, Patricia cited her right to an attorney and turned her face to the wall."We can make this easier," Torres said. "Tell us who Believer 7 is and we can negotiate."Patricia said nothing. Her silence was deliberate and infuriating. She stared at the ceiling like Torres was not even in the room.Anya was placed in protective custody. A child psychologist spent hours with her in a comfortable room designed to put traumatized children at ease.The psychologist's report came back detailed and heartbreaking. Anya was traumatized, confused, and believed she was helping her mommy stop bad people from hurting her biological mother's memory."She thinks she's one of the good guys," the psychologist told Torres and Da

  • CHAPTER 147

    Bomb squads descended on Emma's school at dawn. Their trucks blocked the street and officers in protective gear moved swiftly through the morning darkness.Students and teachers were evacuated to a safe location three blocks away while K-9 units swept every classroom, every locker, every storage closet. The dogs worked methodically, sniffing for explosives while handlers watched for alerts.Parents panicked when they received emergency notifications. They rushed to the school in pajamas and bathrobes, desperate to find their children. News helicopters circled overhead and reporters set up cameras on nearby corners.The chaos was something else. Parents screamed at police officers demanding information. Teachers tried to keep students calm while their own hands shook. The principal stood in the parking lot looking shell-shocked and helpless.Damien watched the coverage from the safe house, feeling utterly powerless. The television showed aeria

  • CHAPTER 146

    Torres examined the drawing with a glove on her hands. This was evidence now. She held it up to the light and studied every detail with trained eyes."The handwriting matches samples from Anya's school records," she said. "A child drew this. Maybe not understanding what it meant. Maybe parroting words she heard from Patricia."Either way, it was chilling. Damien stared at the stick figures with Xs over them and felt sick. A ten-year-old girl had marked his daughter for death."How did Anya get into Emma's school?" Damien asked. His voice was filled with anger.Torres made calls. Within an hour they had answers. Patricia had used fake credentials claiming to be a child psychologist consulting on a behavioral program.The school, already understaffed and overworked, had not thoroughly verified. They had welcomed her in with open arms. She had access to multiple classrooms and interacted with dozens of children.Damien felt rag

  • CHAPTER 145

    Damien woke Simone immediately. They needed to take Emma and go somewhere safe. His hands shook as he touched her shoulder.Simone was groggy and confused. "What's happening?""Patricia accessed Emma's school records. She knows everything about Emma's schedule and routines. We need to leave now."Fear sharpened Simone's focus when Damien explained the breach. She sat up and threw off the covers. "Where are we going?""FBI safe house. Torres is coordinating now."Ashley helped them pack their bags while agents moved through the apartment coordinating logistics. They worked quickly and quietly, trying not to wake the children yet.Emma woke up anyway. She appeared in the doorway rubbing her eyes and looking confused. "Why is everyone awake?"Damien knelt in front of her. "We're going on a trip, baby. We need to leave right now."Emma's face crumpled. "Are the bad men coming back?""No, sweetheart. We

More Chapter
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on MegaNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
Scan code to read on App