Return of the Crowned Heiress novel Chapter 228

Laurence continued in an even tone, "Additionally, our forensic team has verified the video's authenticity. There are no signs of tampering or editing. The video is genuine and admissible as evidence."

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle before continuing, "On the night Ruben died, Kayla had him accompany her to the mall to carry her purchases. This has been confirmed by the mall's security footage and statements from the sales staff working that evening.

"Street surveillance shows Ruben stopping at a bank, where he withdrew a hundred thousand dollars in cash for Kayla. The two were last seen driving together toward Cedar Street. The final footage of them shows the car heading in the direction of the beach. And—"

"Enough! That's enough!"

Dexter cut him off, raising a hand in resignation. His voice, though firm, carried the weight of defeat. "Captain Quinn, I trust in your department's ability to conduct a thorough investigation. If my daughter is guilty, the law will deal with her appropriately. If she's innocent, the truth will clear her name."

Standing toward the back of the room, Felicia raised a brow, catching the subtext in Dexter's carefully chosen words. Though he appeared impartial, his statement left room for doubt, subtly implying that Kayla's guilt wasn't yet a certainty.

By framing it as her "cooperating with the investigation", he gave her actions an air of ambiguity.

It was unmistakably a calculated move to protect Kayla.

Dexter stepped forward in front of the gathered reporters with the gravitas of a concerned but just father. "Captain Quinn, take her."

Laurence gave a brief nod and gestured to his officers. Two of them stepped forward, ready to handcuff Kayla and escort her away.

But Kayla didn't see her father's decision as a calculated effort to help her. To her, it felt like abandonment. Her eyes widened in despair, and she broke into hysterics, screaming, "Dad! Please don't let them take me! Mom! I didn't do it! I'm innocent!"

Myra's eyes filled with tears as she clung to her daughter, refusing to let go.

The officers, however, were relentless. They pried Myra away, separating mother and daughter as Kayla screamed and sobbed. For the first time, Kayla felt the true weight of isolation. She felt like a lone tree battered by a storm, with no one to shield her from the winds of fate.