Return of the Crowned Heiress

Chapter 228

Laurence continued in an even tone, "Additionally, our forensic team has verified the video's authenticity. There are no signs of tampering or editing. The video is genuine and admissible as evidence."

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle before continuing, "On the night Ruben died, Kayla had him accompany her to the mall to carry her purchases. This has been confirmed by the mall's security footage and statements from the sales staff working that evening.

"Street surveillance shows Ruben stopping at a bank, where he withdrew a hundred thousand dollars in cash for Kayla. The two were last seen driving together toward Cedar Street. The final footage of them shows the car heading in the direction of the beach. And " "Enough! That's enough!"

Dexter cut him off, raising a hand in resignation. His voice, though firm, carried the weight of defeat. "Captain Quinn, I trust in your department's ability to conduct a thorough investigation. If my daughter is guilty, the law will deal with her appropriately. If she's innocent, the truth will clear her name."

Standing toward the back of the room, Felicia raised a brow, catching the subtext in Dexter's carefully chosen words. Though he appeared impartial, his statement left room for doubt, subtly implying that Kayla's guilt wasn't yet a certainty.

By framing it as her "cooperating with the investigation", he gave her actions an air of ambiguity.

a calculated

gathered reporters with the gravitas of a concerned but just father.

and gestured to his officers. Two of them stepped forward, ready to handcuff

Kayla didn't see her father's decision as a calculated effort to help her. To her, it felt like abandonment. Her eyes widened in despair, and she broke into hysterics, screaming, "Dad! Please don't let them take me! Mom! I didn't do it! I'm innocent!" Myra's eyes filled with tears as she clung to her daughter, refusing to

time, Kayla felt the true weight of isolation. She felt like a lone tree battered by a storm, with no one to shield her from the winds of

being dragged away,

scanned the

sorrow. That look was like a dagger to her heart, and the

the room. "Felicia-it's you! You did this to me!

and graceful, was now a picture of despair. Her vulnerability was laid bare for

her hand in his,

watched the video of her husband's murder