The young officer nodded.


    "Ms. Cameron," the interrogator continued, turning his attention to Ste, "a new eyewitness hase forward. We need to investigate this further, which means, unfortunately, you can''t leave now."


    An eyewitness? If there had been an eyewitness, the whole mess wouldn''t have dragged on for so long. And now, out of nowhere, a witness had appeared.


    Ste felt like she had sunk into an icy abyss, her whole body cold as stone. Whoever orchestrated this knew how to time their move, sending someone to point the finger at her, clearly with the intent to bury her. The sheer malice of it all was chilling to the bone.


    The interrogator maintained a polite demeanor, but his voice held an undeniable authority. "Ms. Cameron, we need your cooperation for the investigation."


    Ste quickly collected herself. "May I ask who the witness is?"


    The officer shook his head. "I''m sorry, but we can''t disclose the information for the witness'' safety. If you have objections, you can contact awyer or call a friend to bail you out."


    Everything was happening too fast. Ste hadn''t even had a moment to think about getting awyer.


    Antoney got caught in a media frenzy, and she couldn''t drag him into this. Abby was too naive to handle someone like Haynes. One wrong word, and she might be in trouble, too.


    Was Haynes waiting for her to admit guilt, ready to keep her locked up until she did? A hint of irony flickered in Ste''s eyes.


    She lowered her longshes, her voice calm. "I understand."


    As the officer was about to escort Ste to the holding room, a smooth, deep voice, rich and resonant like a cello, broke the tense atmosphere. "Ms. Cameron."


    Ste looked up. A man in a crisp white shirt stood casually not far away. He was strikingly handsome, with a rxed, almost nonchnt air. His slightly open shirt cor hinted at a rebellious streak.


    His lips curved into a wlessly calibrated smile, and his deep eyes resembled cherry blossoms drifting on a dark pond-captivating yet perilous.


    "Mr. Connolly?" Ste was surprised. "What are you doing here?"


    He wasn''t supposed to be back until the weekend.


    Neville smiled softly, replying, "I heard from Marvin that you''ve run into some trouble."


    Marvin? Ste''s expression shifted slightly. Since someone had pelted him with eggs that morning, she had sent Marvin home for a while. With her situation unresolved, having him around was too risky.


    Since her troubles began, Haynes and Keen had acted deaf. Ste hadn''t received a single call from them. But Marvin? He called every day, sent messages, checking in on her.


    A stranger showed more concern for her than her husband and son, who seemed


    to have all the time in the world to go gallivanting with Rachel.


    Neville addressed Ste, "Let''s discuss this outside. I''ve arranged for your bail. We can leave now."


    Ste considered his offer for a few seconds, then nodded slightly. "Thank you."


    ...


    Meanwhile, in an office elsewhere, Benson entered to find Haynes watching the t-screen TV on the wall.


    The screen disyed a news segment of Ste getting pelted with eggs, surrounded and overwhelmed by a mob. She looked forsaken, like a lost soul, disheveled and humiliated.


    Benson awkwardly shifted his gaze away, his voice low as he reported, "Mr. O''Brien, not long ago, Ms. Cameron was taken in for questioning. An eyewitness hase forward with evidence. She might be kept in custody if no one bails her out."


    Benson hesitated. "Should we bail Ms. Cameron out?"


    Haynes turned his gaze to Benson. "When did this happen?" he asked.


    "This morning."


    Haynes nced at his phone. The screen was nk. There was not a single call or message.


    "If she''d rather face public humiliation and stay trapped indoors than admit she''s wrong, then she clearly doesn''t want anyone''s help." A cold smile yed on Haynes'' lips. "Isn''t she tough? Let her handle it herself, then. She can fend for herself in there."