Chapter 148

Hannah scanned the verdict her attorney had forwarded, her expression flat and unreadable.Everything lined up exactly as she'd predicted-almost perfectly.

But when she caught sight of the asset breakdown,her brows arched ever so slightly. She quickly tallied up the zeroes in her mind-this settlement would leave her far wealthier than she'd dared hope.

A sly smile flickered at the corners of her lips. Filing for divorce had been the best decision she'd made in years. After five years of a messy marriage,it was finally done. A deep sense of relief washed over her,lightening her shoulders.

Felix spotted the happiness glimmering in her eyes and leaned in, his voice ful of gentle curiosity."So?Did the judgment come in?" A bright, genuine smile broke across Hannah's face."It's official. I'm finally free."

Felix let out a warm laugh and remarked, "Congrats!That calls for a celebration-you're buying me dinner tonight."

Hannah replied with a smile, unbothered, "No problem-I'll make a reservation in a few minutes."

By seven, she called Felix and told him to meet her downstairs for dinner.

They were just about to leave the building when her phone suddenly rang-Margaret's name flashed across the screen.

Without hesitation, Hannah answered. "Mom, I won't be home for dinner tonight. I'm eating out with a friend."

Margaret's voice was tight with urgency. "Anna, your dad and I ran into some trouble. There's been an incident. You might need to come to the police station." Her words were tumbling out in a rush. A chill ran through Hannah. She ended the call, face clouded with concern. Turning to Felix, she said,"Looks like I'll have to take a rain check on dinner.Something's happened-my parents are at the police

station."

Felix immediately stepped forward, opening the passenger door for her. "Come on, I'll drive you."

Hannah shook her head. She didn't want to keep relying on Felix for everything. "That's kind of you,but it's all right-I'm driving tonight. You go ahead and have your meal. I'll handle this."

She gave him a grateful glance before rushing to her car. Without hesitation, she sped away, quickly disappearing from view.

Margaret's call had been frustratingly vague, leaving Hannah with a pit of dread and no idea how her parents had landed themselves at the police station.Her foot pressed harder on the gas.

When Hannah finally pulled up outside the station,she spotted a familiar figure. Inside the station, Danica sat across from her parents at a table, a stone-faced officer presiding between them.

The officer recounted the incident in clipped, formal tones-Hannah's mother and Danica had gotten into a physical altercation, leaving Danica injured enough to file a police report.

Sliding into the seat beside her parents, Hannah squeezed their shoulders, murmuring quiet reassurances.

The officer's voice turned severe. "According to the injury assessment provided by Mrs. Jones, both Mrs.Scott and Mr. Scott are being charged with intentional assault. If mediation fails, they may be held in criminal detention."

Margaret, who was usually bold and brash,seemed utterly shaken by the situation. Her hands shook as she tried to steady herself.

Raymond clasped Margaret's trembling hand in both of his, wordless but steady at her side. Danica leaned back in her chair with a self-satisfied smirk, her gaze flicking sideways to gauge their reactions. "I'm not interested in mediation," she declared, her voice calm but cutting. Then, as if reconsidering, she tilted her head and let a sly note creep in. "But I'm not unreasonable. If you're sincere enough,maybe we can negotiate."

She let her words linger, eyes settling on Hannah.

Hannah's brows drew together, her voice cool and measured."What are you after?"

Danica met her look without flinching. "You walk away from the asset division. Sign a statement waiving your rights, and I'll drop the charges right now."

A scoff broke from Hannah, a sharp edge in her voice. "So that's what this is really about? My attorney fought for those assets. I'm not giving up a dime."

Danica's lips twisted with disdain. "Then be prepared to watch your parents get locked up." She turned her glare on Hannah's parents, voice dripping with còntempt. "Congratulations. This is the daughter you raised-so heartless that she won't even help her own family."

Raymond's expression grew stony as he snapped,"Don't try to drag my daughter into this. She shouldn't be punished for our mistakes-those assets are hers by right, and we'll answer for our own actions."

"It's all right, Dad. Really," Hannah replied gently,trying to steady him.

She turned to scrutinize Danica for a moment. The most striking injury was the scratch on Danica's face.

Hannah eyed the officer with a polite but pointed look. "Could I take a look at the injury report?"

The officer passed the folder across the table.

Danica shifted, visibly uneasy. "What? You think there's something wrong with my report? The officer has already verified everything. The paperwork is

flawless."

Hannah flipped through the pages, examining the details. "Everything seems in order-the hospital's seal and the doctor's signature check out."

At that, Danica's shoulders relaxed; her face lit up with relief.

But Hannah shat the file with a soft thud. "I do have a question about the injuries described here." She fixed her gaze on Danica, her voice calm but unwavering. "Mrs. Jones, would you be willing to have a second evaluation done right now, in front of everyone? I'll cover any expenses."