Chapter 149

Danica didn't hesitate to shoot back. "Absolutely not.Your baseless suspicion is adding insult to injury!"

A smug smile played on Hannah's lipsas she ignored Danica completely. Turning to the officer, she spoke up. "I'm requesting a re-evaluation of the injuries.That's within protocol,right?"

The officer confirmed with a nod. "Yes, that's your right."

Hannah looked straight at the officer but speaking loudly enough for Danica to hear. "If it turns out Mrs.Jones's injury report was faked, can I file a counterclaim for slander and false accusation?"

Without missing a beat, the officer answered, "Yes,you can."

Restlessness took hold of Danica, her hands twisting nervously as she tugged at her hair.

Raymond and Margaret watched Danica squirm,feeling some of their own worries melt away.

Seeing her advantage, Hannah quickly typed a message on her phone. She added, "Mrs. Jones,a doctor will be here soon to give you a proper exam.If your injuries match what's written in your report, I'll accept whatever action the officer deems necessary.But if you've doctored the report, I won't let this slide."

A flash of panic crossed Danica's face, sweat appearing on her brow. She lurched forward,reaching across the table to grab Hannah's hand,trying to stop her. "Hold on! I'll drop the charges,okay?"

With a flick of her hand, Hannah brushed Danica away, grinning. "Nervous already? It's too late-the doctor's already on the way!"

Defeated, Danica slumped in her chair, her face pale.It didn't take long for her to recover, hands tremblingas she hurriedly sent a message to Vincent, begging him to come.

After twenty minutes, the doctor walked in and began examining Danica's supposed injuries.

Reluctance marked every move Danica made as she refused to cooperate.

Trusting her medical training, the doctor soon finished her assessment and gave her verdict-Danica had no significant external injuries except for the scratch on her face.

Hannah spoke up for everyone to hear. "So that means the report Mrs. Jones has provided isn't true."

The doctor gave a nod in agreement.

Margaret finally breathed a sigh of relief, having feared that her actions might affect her daughter.

Suddenly, Danica blurted out, jabbing a finger at Margaret, "She scratched my face! I could end up with a scar for life. How can you call that nothing?I refuse to let this go!" The officer slammed his hand on the table, his tone commanding. "Enough! Quiet down."

Unlike Danica's outburst, Hannah's family stayed calm and collected.

Rising from her chair, Hannah addressed the officer,"May I take my parents home now?"

A nod from the officer gave her permission. "Yes, you can."

Not missing a beat, Danica chimed in, "Officer, I want to drop the charges. I'm not pressing this anymore."

She tried to make a quick exit, but the officer stopped her short. "I'm afraid you aren't free to leave. You're being detained for making a false accusation, interfering with justice, and submitting a fake police report."

Danica widened her eyes. Detained? That was it-she had really shot herself in the foot.

Danica slumped into her chair, her whole posture weighed down by the blow.Vincent stepped out of the courthouse and didn't waste a minute before returning to the office. He dove into the day's tasks with sharp focus, lettingthe hours slip past him.

Clive, seeing Vincent buried in files again, gently reminded him,that he still had three months of unused vacation.

Vincent shut that down without hesitation, firmly saying he had no plans to take time off. He had already set his sights on the next target-doubling the company's market value once more.

He kept at it until long after sunset, not stopping until the clock pushed past eight in the evening.

Upon receiving Danica's message about being detained,he frowned.

Within twenty minutes, Derek pulled up to the police station. As soon as Vincent stepped out of the car,he spotted Hannah and her parents walking out of the station.

Vincent made no effort to avoid them and called out,"What brings you here?"

Hannah caught his eye but strode right past without a word.

Moving quickly, Vincent stepped in front of her. "It's just a divorce, Hannah. No need to act like strangers.If you keep this up, I might start thinking you still have feelings for me."

Hannah responded coldly, "Keep dreaming."

Curiosity got the better of Vincent. "What happened to all of you?" There was a hint of real worry in his voice.

A sharp look crossed Hannah's face, her irritation obvious as she thought of what his mother had done."You should ask your mom about all her 'good deeds."

Without a word for Vincent, Margaret took Hannah by the arm and guided her away. "Don't waste your breath on your ex-husband."

Raymond followed along, offering Vincent only a frosty stare.

Vincent's frustration grew, and he opened his mouth to ask more, but someone hurried up before he could speak.

Felix came jogging over, a bag in his hand."Raymond, Margaret, is everything okay?"

A smile broke across Margaret's face when she saw Felix. "Felix, what brings you here?"

Raymond returned the warm greeting and reached out to take the bag from Felix.

Vincent watched this exchange, feeling the sting of being left out. The difference in how they welcomed Felix only made his own bitterness deepen.