Breaking the odd silence, one officer sternly addressed her, “Corrine Holland, mind your attitude! Based on what we’ve gathered from the other suspects, you were the one pulling the strings. Are you still going to deny your involvement in the crime?”
“Which crime are you even referring to?” Corrine asked, her tone steady.
“If this is about the kidnapping, I’ve already explained everything to Wilbur. If you still have doubts, take it up with him.”
As she finished, Wilbur calmly produced the recording Corrine had provided. One of the interrogators suddenly slammed a fist onto the table, his voice sharp with authority.
“Enough with the diversions! This isn’t about a kidnapping-we’re investigating your involvement in illegal dealings with two known suspects. The evidence against you is overwhelming.”
His eyes bored into hers as he continued, “We’ve traced smuggling and forgery operations linked to Timeless Treasures-your business. According to these suspects’ testimonies, they claim you directed their activities and pressured them into compliance. This situation isn’t looking good for you. If you confess now, the court may go easy on you. Otherwise, you’ll be spending the best years of your life rotting in a cell.”
Corrine turned her attention to the female interrogator seated at the side, a faint smirk curling her lips.
“Why would I confess when I haven’t done anything wrong?” Her tone was casual-almost mocking.
“Just because they say something, that makes it true? Don’t you have the means to separate lies from facts?”
The room fell into stunned silence.
To openly challenge law enforcement like this-Corrine was certainly the first. Was she not afraid of public backlash? Of being torn apart by the live-streaming audience?
Matias glanced down at his phone, where the comments section had exploded into a flood of scornful remarks. The sheer volume made his vision swim.
“Who does this woman think she is? She’s way too cocky!”
“Why are they even entertaining her nonsense? Just lock her up already!”
Looking back at Corrine, still poised and unwavering at the center of the room, Matias couldn’t help but feel a flicker of unease for her. How had he never noticed just how audacious she was before?
Although with powerful backing, she didn’t need to bow down, but given the cameras and reporters present, she should at least make a show of civility.
The pen of the media was sharper than any blade. That saying existed for a reason.
Even if Corrine eventually proved her innocence, her defiant attitude alone would give reporters enough ammunition to drag her straight into controversy. Wouldn’t Nate step in?
He glanced at Nate, who was seated beside him, expecting at least a trace of irritation. Instead, Nate wore a faint smile-was that… pride? He was becoming more and more irrational when it came to matters of Corrine.
Leah lounged in her car, her gaze locked onto the live stream. A smirk curled at the corner of her lips.
“Unbelievable. She’s actually that reckless.” To challenge law enforcement so brazenly-did Corrine have a death wish?
Most people would at least put on a show of humility in front of cameras and reporters, but not her. Her arrogance was practically begging for a public backlash. Which, of course, made Leah’s job easier. No need to hire online trolls when Corrine was singlehandedly destroying her own reputation.
This time, Corrine was cornered. There was no escape.
Satisfied, Leah started her car, ready to leave.
But then, a sleek black Audi shot down the street and skidded to a sharp stop right in front of the police station.
The door swung open, and a middle-aged man stepped out, his graying hair doing little to soften the commanding presence he exuded. Behind him, a group of officials in crisp uniforms moved with purpose, their sheer authority pressing into the air around them.
Leah instinctively hesitated, her fingers tightening around the steering wheel.
Who were they?
After a beat, she turned off the ignition. Something about this didn’t sit right. Without a second thought, she stepped out of her car and followed them inside.
Carl stood in the garden of the Ford family residence, methodically trimming the hedges. He set the scissors down, took a step back to inspect his work, and asked in an even tone, “Did Corrine call today?”
The butler hesitated.
Since the day Corrine moved out, Carl had asked the same question every day. And the answer remained unchanged-she hadn’t called, not even once. Keeping his expression composed, the butler responded, “Sir, Miss Holland just took over the company. She’s likely too busy to make personal calls.”
Carl scoffed, his grip tightening around his cane.
“Busy? That’s a poor excuse!” He turned and strode toward the house, his sharp gaze catching a group of servants huddled together, eyes glued to a phone screen.
They were so engrossed they didn’t even notice his presence until the butler cleared his throat.
Startled, they scrambled to their feet.
“Sir!”
Carl barely spared them a glance.
“What are you watching?”
“N-nothing, sir…” the servant holding the phone stammered, fumbling to hide it behind her back. But in her panic, the device slipped from her grasp, and it landed right at Carl’s feet
He bent down, picked it up, and his eyes narrowed as he recognized the woman on the screen-Corrine.
She was at the police station, cameras flashing in her face, reporters crowding around her with microphones in hand.
Carl might have been old, but he wasn’t ignorant of the way the world worked. Live streaming had changed everything-news spread faster, reputations crumbled in an instant, and moments like this became public spectacles. And judging by the sheer number of reporters surrounding Corrine, this situation was far more serious than he’d imagined.
Carl studied the image of Corrine on the screen for a long moment before handing the phone back to the servant. His expression darkened.
“Get the car. Now!” Without hesitation, he turned on his heel and strode toward the gates.
The butler hurried after him, barely keeping pace.
Once they were gone, the servants huddled back together, their eyes glued to the live stream.
“See? I told you it was Miss Holland, but you insisted I was wrong!”
“But why would she be involved in something like this? She’s always had a secure, comfortable life with the Ford family.”
“Maybe she got bored and decided to stir up some excitement?”
“Wait-look! Who are these people?” A voice, laced with excitement, made them all lean in closer.
On-screen, the interrogation room doors burst open as several men in black suits strode inside. The leader, dressed in a sleek black executive jacket, stood out-not just because of his graying hair but also because of the undeniable authority he carried. Unlike the others, his attire was slightly more casual, yet his presence made it clear he outranked them all.
Arion, upon seeing the man, stiffened before quickly rising to greet him.
“Mr. Hilton! What brings you here?”
His words were polite, but his expression betrayed his unease. Why would someone of this caliber show up because of a case like this? This station wasn’t nearly important enough to warrant his attention.
Jericho Hilton offered a casual smile.
“I heard the suspects this time are linked to the smuggling case from three years ago, so I thought I’d stop by while delivering some documents. Seems I walked in on quite the scene.”
“That’s one way to put it,” Arion muttered.
Jericho patted him on the shoulder before turning his attention to Corrine.
“Looks like I made it just in time.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.