Chapter 313

Daphne's smug expression crumbled in an instant. Panic flickered in the depths of her eyes before she buried it beneath an even more explosive outburst. "What absolute rubbish are you spewing? Scapegoat?You orchestrated this entire mess! Every single detail was your doing-don't you dare try to slither your way out of this!"

Miles's brow furrowed as he spoke with stern authority."Daphne,stop talking nonsense."

Daphne whipped her head away, her face radiating pure defiance.

Hannah's gaze sharpened like a blade as she shook her head slowly, her voice dripping with bitter sarcasm."I orchestrated it? Well, by your account, I supposedly gave you orders. But what difference does that make? The evidence you've presented still exists. I cannot clear my name-everyone has already condemned me. But tell me something, Daphne."

She paused with calculated precision, watching as Daphne's pupils contracted with sudden terror, and then delivered each word like a death sentence. "As the person who supposedly carried out my alleged instructions, do you honestly believe you can escape? If I'm heading to prison, do you think the law will simply allow you-my supposed accomplice-to walk free? To stroll around outside while I rot behind bars?How utterly naive. We're both drowning in this catastrophe together."

Her icy declaration sent Daphne's heart into a violent stutter. Her earlier arrogance evaporated completely,replaced by eyes brimming with raw fear and mounting panic. Erica had promised her something entirely different. Erica had sworn that pointing the finger at Hannah would cleanse her hands completely-perhaps she'd only need to assist with the investigation for a few days at most.

Shaking her head, Daphne resolved to remain steady. The crucial evidence had already found its way to the authorities, and Hannah couldn't possibly escape its grip.

At that moment, the officer began Hannah's second round of interrogation.

Daphne regained her composure and shot Hannah a look of pure triumph. Hannah remained perfectly calm.

Miles stepped out of the waiting room and witnessed Daphne's victorious expression.

"I'm profoundly disappointed in you." Miles furrowed his brow, locking his gaze with Daphne's, his eyes swimming with disappointment. "I believed with absolute certainty that you would never want to harm Alice.But what did you do? Not only did you refuse to clarify the truth, but you insisted that Hannah was the mastermind, pinning things she hadn't done onto her. This is slander! It's a criminal act! Daphne, how could you do such a thing?"

His voice cracked with heartbroken sorrow.

Daphne sneered, her mind flashing back to the photograph Erica had thrust before her eyes that day-her brother and Hannah engaged in what appeared to be an intimate conversation at a cozy café.

That photograph had burned itself into Daphne's memory, especially when she found herself caught and under investigation, desperately craving family support, yet her brother had been out sipping coffee with Hannah. She simply couldn't stomach it.

So when Erica had asked Daphne to claim that Alice's allergic reaction was her fault and then accuse Hannah of manipulating her into it, she had agreed without hesitation.

"Don't lecture me. When you abandoned me to the lawyers, did you remember I was your sister then? You turned around and went for coffee with Hannah immediately afterward. Your sister was the one who got arrested, but all you seemed to care about was precious Hannah." Daphne's agitation escalated with each word. "You don't deserve to call yourself my brother!"

With that final declaration, Daphne abruptly spun around and broke free from the female officer who was attempting to calm her, stumbling toward the restroom in unsteady steps.

Miles stood frozen in complete disbelief.

Meanwhile,Hannah sat alongside her lawyer, facing Gavin for the second round of interrogation.

Gavin cut straight to the heart of the matter."Daphne's testimony contains several inconsistencies, but she has provided concrete physical evidence." He gestured toward his assistant with a deliberate nod, and the equipment whirred to life as a surveillance video flickered onto the wall.

The footage emerged grainy and shadowed, revealing a figure that bore a striking resemblance to Hannah.The person wore identical clothing and stood with their back turned to the camera, passing something directly into Daphne's waiting hands. While the face remained completely hidden from view, the silhouette and attire wove together a compelling visual story-this seemed to be Hannah.

Even Hannah, renowned for her unshakeable composure, couldn't prevent the fleeting ripple of shock that danced across her eyes as she witnessed the footage.

Her lawyer, Samuel, sprang to his feet with sudden intensity, his posture radiating fierce conviction. "Officer Mercer! This video remains completely unclear and fails to definitively identify anyone's facial features! To declare guilt based exclusively on similar clothing and body structure is utterly preposterous. Without any concrete evidence, I demand Ms. Hannah Scott's immediate release! Should the police continue this baseless detention, we will proceed with an administrative lawsuit."

Gavin held his ground with equal determination. "The preliminary evidence is beginning to crystallize.Releasing her at this juncture would lack proper legal foundation."

Hannah tilted forward slightly in her seat. "Officer Mercer, perhaps we might discover a path toward cooperation."

Thirty minutes passed before Hannah had somehow managed to sway Gavin's position, and she was released.

Daphne caught a glimpse of Hannah's departure through the transparent glass partition, her expression shifting violently as she burst into frantic screams, "Someone come here right now! Hannah is trying to escape!"