The cops showed up quickly, asked questions, and then hauled Jodie to the station.


    Grace, as the victim, had to go too.


    Jodie, who''d been shopping, was mortified because of the police. At the station, she exploded when she saw that Grace was the one who called them.


    "Grace, you bitch! You actually called the cops on me?"


    Grace just sat there, looking nonchnt. "I''m not looking to make a deal. I want an apology."


    Jodie frowned hard. "An apology? To a bitch like you? Never!"


    Grace also frowned and addressed the officer, "I will not ept a financialpromise. She must issue an apology today."


    Jodie pulled out a card. "I can give you ten thousand dors, but no apology."


    The officer assessed the situation, recognizing that both parties were individuals of considerable means.


    He chose his words carefully. "Ms. Henderson, you did mess up here. If Ms. Lambert doesn''t want marypensation, you must apologize if you want to leave."


    Jodie felt her scalp prickle with fury. She felt utterly humiliated.


    If her family found out, she''d be in trouble.


    Things were tense at home, and she didn''t want more problems. She just red at Grace.


    "Grace, you better think twice about this. If you don''t drop this issue, I''ll make your life a nightmare."


    Grace found the notionughable. Any semnce of civility between herself and Jodie had long disappeared.


    Standing behind the two women, Yancey interjected at that moment. "I just called Uncle Ethan. Jodie, stop this right now."


    Upon hearing that Ethan wasing, Jodie nearly leaped from her chair. "Yancey, Uncle Ethan''s swamped right now! Why''d you call him and bug him without asking?"


    "So I should just let you keep being a spoiled brat? You''re going to screw things up big time sooner orter! I already told him about everything you pulled."


    Jodie''s face reddened with fury, and her hands balled into fists.


    Tears welled up in her eyes. It was clear Yancey had fallenpletely under Grace''s spell.


    She bit her lip and wiped her eyes. "You think I''m worried? When Uncle Ethan gets here, he''ll sort this out for me."


    Ethan showed up about 30 minutester. Even though he was in a meeting, he came personally because of Jodie.


    Grace was in the next room with Yancey, who quietly gave her the lowdown.


    "If Uncle Ethan''s being toughter, just say sorry quickly. Jodie''s spoiled, and Uncle Ethan loves to baby her."


    Through the frosted ss, Grace saw that Ethan had arrived.


    He was in his wheelchair, but he had a formidable air. A group of bodyguards followed behind him.


    The second Jodie saw him, tears welled up in her eyes. "Uncle Ethan."


    She ran over and kneeled down next to him. "I really don''t want to apologize, Uncle Ethan. You''ve got to help me out."


    Ethan turned his gaze to the police officer. "What did she do?"


    Even if the cop didn''t know who


    Ethan was, he could tell he was


    someone important. He qui


    answered, "She vandalized


    nov


    someone''s vehicle."  fo


    Jodie widened her eyes when she heard this. "What do you mean I vandalized a car? I did nothing of the sort! Seriously? You guys are trying to pin this on me! Uncle Ethan,


    swear I didn''t do it. If I did, I''d never see you again, ever!"


    For Jodie, that was a serious oath.


    Besides, she wasn''t good at lying in front of Ethan-her biggest fear was being forbidden from seeing him.


    Ethan''s voice was ice-cold as he told the bodyguard next to him, "Pull up the security footage from that time."


    The bodyguard was on it immediately. He made one call, and the footage was sent over instantly.


    The bodyguard leaned in slightly, his voice


    Etful as he informed


    Ethan, "Mr. Henderson, it really


    Ms. Henderson."