The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 21

Before Jaylan could react, the other end of the line went dead. He furrowed his brows, still trying to wrap his head around the situation, when his phone rang again.

“Boss, we’re in deep shit, the voice on the other end of the line said. “The girl we arrested today, she’s got a complicated background. The bigwigs already know about it. They’ve made their decision. If we don’t let her go, we’re gonna be in a world of trouble. You better get here ASAP”

Jaylan was dumbstruck.

The bigwigs knew about it? What the hell was going on? Wasn’t it just a petty theft case?

Jaylan took a moment to collect his thoughts before responding. “So what if she’s well–connected? We’re supposed to be fair and just. We didn’t frame anyone. As a suspect, it’s her duty to cooperate with the investigation.”

“Damn suspect! We’ve already contacted your mom. She said she didn’t lose her bracelet.” The voice on the other end informed him. “Also, Ms. Hawthorn isn’t just a tenant of Tranquil Estates. She’s the owner. She bought a place there not long ago at triple the market price.”

“What?” Jaylan exclaimed. The bracelet isn’t lost?” A dreadful thought occurred to him, and his face turned dark.

“Herman is pissed off. I’m calling you on the sly. You better get your ass here.”

After hanging up, Jaylan stormed out of his room, storming over to where Coral was

“Slap!”

Coral was chatting with Arabella when she was suddenly slapped across the face. She covered her cheek and stared at Jaylan in disbelief. “Jaylan, why did you hit me?”

Jaylan glared at her, his face livid. Tell me the truth, did mom really lose her bracelet?”

He had always found his sister to be obedient and sensible, so when she said someone had stolen their mom’s bracelet, he didn’t question it. And when he got back, their mom wasn’t home, so he didn’t ask further.

Coral blinked. “It really was lost.”

“Slap!”

lie to me again! Coral, is this how I raised you? Framing others for this? Are

pale. “You know everything?”

foolish expression, Jaylan was beyond furious.

arm. “Come with me to clear things up. I’m warning you, if you dare to mess up again, I’ll kick you out

Arabella, who

Police station.

a distance, he could see Herman, red in the face and

for a moment before walking

thought you would just piss off after causing trouble!” Herman barked the moment he saw Jaylan. “Do you think this is your own house? That you can do whatever you want? Jaylan, is this how you usually handle cases?”

was left speechless

glared at him. “What are you still doing here? Go apologize to Ms. Hawthorn. She was brought here because of you, and now she refuses to leave! You have

throat and forced a smile. “Ms. Hawthorn, I apologize. I made a mistake. I blindly believed in my sister’s lie

her arms and smiled at him, a chilly smile. Although Jaylan had no clue about Vivienne’s powerful background, her gaze alone

to apologize to Vivienne at all. But seeing Jaylan’s stern face, she reluctantly spoke, T’m sorry, Ms. Hawthorn. I misunderstood you. We found my mother’s bracelet. It turns out our maid

was what Jaylan had told her to say on their way

am I innocent now?” Vivienne

You are not guilty. Jaylan quickly responded. “We will compensate for the misunderstanding. I’ll drive you home right

home, Vivienne said indifferently.

a loss for words.

Herman burst into the room, saying with a forced smile, “Ms. Hawthorn, I promise to offer you a satisfactory solution to this incident… We’re all rather busy. Would you mind going home now?” If Vivienne didn’t leave, it would have been him who had

smiling. “What solution do you have in mind?”

said after a moment, “Ms. Lockwood will be detained and investigated for false accusations and defamation.

and the

all busy, so I won’t be a bother”

and exited the room.

of relief, T’ll

the entrance of the