Chapter 33

Liliana's resolve to divorce Cedric hardened. But first, she had to save Hale. The divorce would have to wait.

As Hale's case blew up on social media, so did the story of the Zephyr Group VP whose dog's ribs were broken by an unreasonable neighbor. The two stories battled for the top spot on the trending list.

Hale's case drew widespread attention, with most of the public siding with the deceased.

Based on superficial details, they had already branded Hale as a reckless, spoiled rich kid, assuming he was either drunk driving or had a case of road rage. Vicious rumors began to circulate.

Sylvia's dog, on the other hand, sparked a different kind of debate. Dog lovers rallied to her side, arguing that breaking a dog's ribs would require immense force and that the neighbor was a cruel, heartless monster. They cheered Sylvia on, encouraging her to fight back.

Liliana didn't have time to follow the news. She got a call from Vida.

"Liliana, your father collapsed from the stress. He's in the hospital. Hale's case is in your hands now..."

"How is he?" Liliana's head was spinning. "Which hospital?"

Vida ignored her question. "He's fine. Don't come here. Just focus on Hale!"

It was always about Hale.

One crisis after another piled on top of her, leaving her panicked and overwhelmed. She forced herself to calm down and follow Attorney Kerr's plan. He would handle things at the police station; she would go to the hospital to visit the deceased's mother, who had been admitted after collapsing from grief.

She bought a fruit basket and some supplements and went to the hospital room. The door was ajar, and she could hear the weak, mournful cries of the mother from inside.

"My poor Hannah... how could this happen so suddenly? What am I supposed to do without you?"

"My poor grandson... he's only three years old, and now he has no mother!"

Liliana's hand froze on the door. She bit her lip. She had read about the victim in the news-a young woman, only thirty-two. At an age where she had both parents to care for and a child to raise, it was an unbearable tragedy for any family. But it made Lisiana wonder... why would a woman like that stage her own suicide?

Listening to the heartbroken sobs from inside she even began to doubt herself. Maybe it wasn't a setup. Maybe it truly was an

accident. But she had watcher

dashcam footage over and over. Hale's speed was within the legat limit, and he wasn't distracted: The woman had darted directly into his path.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open.

Inside, besides the weeping mother in the hospital bed, there was a man in his

forties with thinning hair and red-rimmed eyes. Both of them turned to look at her as she entered.

"Excuse me. I'm Hale's sister. I..."

"What are you doing here?" The woman's grief instantly turned to rage. She grabbed a pillow and hurled it at Liliana. "I want that murderer to pay for my daughter's life!"

The pillow hit Liliana in the face, making her stumble. She looked down at it, then back at the woman. "Please, calm down. You need to think of your health. If my brother is truly at fault, the police will ensure you get justice."

She placed the fruit basket by the bed, but before she could set it down properly, the man grabbed it—and her—and dragged them both out of the room.

"We don't want your charity! You think a few pieces of fruit can buy us off and save your brother? In your dreams! My sister's death will be avenged!"

The fruit basket crashed to the floor, its contents scattering everywhere. Liliana was, shoved violently out of was. the room and fell to the ground. The man, his face contorted with fury, pointed at her if you ever show your face here again, I'll beat you every time I see you. Your brother is going to pay for what he did to my sister, and your family is going to pay, too!"

He stormed back into the room and slammed the door. The commotion drew curious onlookers. Nurses and patients peeked out of their rooms to see what was happening.

At the end of the hall, a group of reporters carrying cameras rushed toward them.

The Preston family, though not as prominent as they once were, were still well- known.