Chapter 616

"And how do you know the police don't have solid evidence?"

Laurel lifted her chin toward the officers. The lead officer took the cue and said, "Mr. Wilkinson, without evidence, we wouldn't show up at an event like this to ruin your evening."

Seeing Laurel and the police repeatedly disregard him, Tristan grew irritated, his face darkening. "What if I say no one is taking her away from me today?"

"Mr. Wilkinson..."

His stance was too aggressive, leaving the police in a tough spot.

Handling the case impartially was their duty, of course.

But Tristan's status was exceptional. Even though they had Laurel's tacit approval to

be there, it was ultimately a battle between a father and his daughter.

While everyone knew that Laurel called the shots when Old Mr. Wilkinson wasn't involved, given the choice, it was best not to offend either.

Disbelief, followed by utter disappointment, flashed in Laurel's eyes. "Dad, are you going to indulge her to the point of completely ignoring right from wrong?"

"Enough!"

Tristan snapped. "Why do I indulge her? Isn't it because none of you can stand her? Let me make this clear. If you insist on taking her away, you have zero respect for me as a father."

He knew better than anyone that the police's stunt today was entirely authorized by Laurel.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall reached a boiling point.

Rex suddenly let out a reckless chuckle. Out of nowhere, he pulled out a handgun and pressed it against Maya's temple. "Since they can't take her away, why don't we just leave her here forever?"

Laurel and Tristan's eyes widened in horror.

One was terrified for Rex, the other for Maya.

The guests panicked, instinctively backing away in a scramble to avoid the crossfire.

This Rex...

His temper was truly lethal.

Laurel's fingertips trembled imperceptibly. As she ordered security to lock the doors, she gritted her teeth. "Rex, have you lost your mind? Put that away right now."

Tristan also barked, "You rebellious son. If you dare..."

"Shut up."

Rex licked his lips, the barrel inching closer to Maya. "Either the police take her, or she 'goes' right now."

"You bastard!"

Tristan gnashed his teeth, his chest heaving violently as he glared in fury.

Catching Laurel's gaze, the police officer intervened, "Mr. Wilkinson, we just need Ms. Maya to come with us today to verify the evidence. Nothing

isset in stone yet,

instone yet,

To Tristan, this meant he still had time to pull strings behind the scenes.

Even though the old man was far away in Cresthaven, meddling in a local Vistapeak

case would be easy.

With that thought, and seeing Rex's

icy, unyielding stance, Tristan

relented. "Fine. You can take bolne

for now. personally come to station to pick her up tomorrow."

Maya panicked, terror consuming her. "Dad, I don't want..."

Tristan still didn't understand Laurel.

She could see that Laurel was determined to secure total victory tonight, just like she did when tearing away the Murphys' facade.

Once she entered the police station, it would be almost impossible to get back out...

However, before she could finish, the freezing muzzle pressed directly against her skin.

The cold made her legs turn to jelly.

She didn't dare say another word.

Rex was a psycho.

Laurel had boundaries, Jesse had principles, but Rex had absolutely nothing.

Shaking like a leaf as she left with the police, Maya's eyes unconsciously swept the banquet hall, searching for Marcia.

What about Marcia?

Laurel wouldn't even let Maya off the hook, yet she was letting Marcia walk free. Why?

They really did just look down on her, despising her, eager for any chance to eliminate her.

The hatred she felt for every member of the Wilkinson family threatened to swallow her whole.

She wouldn't just accept this fate.

She would make the Wilkinsons pay.

Only when the police had taken Maya out of the room did Rex slowly lower the gun.

Laurel finally felt like she could

breathe again. She marched up,

snatched the gun from his hand, and

asked, still rattled, "Who gave you

permission to pull a gun in front of the cops. Are you crazy?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she frowned, sensing something off about the weapon in her hand.

Rex shot a glance at Tristan and smirked. "It's the vintage prop pistol from back then."

"The one Vera loved so much when we were kids."