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 move to

reporters with the gravitas of a concerned but just father. "Captain Quinn, take

officers. Two of them stepped forward,

abandonment. Her eyes widened in despair, and she broke into hysterics, screaming, "Dad!

Myra away, separating mother and daughter as Kayla screamed and sobbed. For the first time, Kayla felt the true weight of isolation. She felt like a lone tree battered by a storm, with no one to shield her

was being

eyes scanned

sorrow. That look was like a dagger to her heart, and the last shred of her composure

you! You did this to me! This is all your fault!" Her accusations grew fainter as the officers pulled her out of the house, but the bitterness

knees, clutching her chest as sobs wracked her body. The ever-elegant Mrs. Fuller, always composed and graceful, was now a picture of despair. Her vulnerability was laid bare for all to see. Sebastian moved quickly to shield her from the cameras, blocking the reporters

regret. Taking her hand in his, he said in

her husband's murder countless times. Each time, it cut deeper into her soul. The pain of seeing his final moments was a wound that