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!”

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

“You know

foolish expression, Jaylan was

with me to clear things up. I’m warning you, if you dare to mess up

was dragged away by Jaylan. Arabella, who was left

Police station.

red in the face and blowing his top. The officers around

moment before

finally showed up! I thought you would just piss off after causing trouble!” Herman barked the moment he saw Jaylan. “Do you think this is your own house?

speechless by the

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 ten

see Vivienne sitting there, her face expressionless. He cleared his throat and forced a smile. “Ms. Hawthorn, I apologize. I made a mistake. I blindly believed in my sister’s lie and brought you in without

Jaylan had no clue about Vivienne’s powerful background, her gaze alone was enough to make him nervous. He immediately turned to Coral. “What are you still doing standing there?! Apologize to Ms.

want 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 misplaced it. I thought it was lost.”

her

am I innocent now?” Vivienne asked in a challenging

quickly responded. “We will compensate for the misunderstanding. I’ll drive you

have no plans to go home, Vivienne said indifferently. 1 feel quite comfortable here.”

a loss

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?”

back in the chair, smiling. “What

will be detained and investigated

and the others for

so I won’t be

stood up, took a look at Coral, then turned and exited the room. Coral bit her lip, her face filled

out a sigh of relief, T’ll walk you

of