But the police operated by the book, and a few crocodile tears weren''t going to sway them.


    "Mr. Gonzalez, Ms. Spencer," the officer said formally. "ording to thew, a case can only be filed for assault if there are facial contusions of at least four square centimeters or bodily contusions exceeding twenty centimeters. Ms. Spencer''s injuries are merely superficial, not even qualifying for a civilint. If you wish, we can arrange for mediation and have Ms. Jones offer you a formal apology."


    Queena stared, dumbfounded. After all her scheming, the most she could get was a half-hearted apology from Yvonne? She thought of the sharp pain in her ankle when she hadnded, and her anger red.


    Just then, she saw Yvonne walking toward them. An idea sparked in her mind, and she buried her face in Matthew''s chest, sobbing. "Matthew, I''m scared! I''m so scared! Don''t... don''t let Yvonnee near me! Please..."


    Matthew protectively wrapped an arm around Queena while pointing an usatory finger at Yvonne. "Yvonne, even if the police won''t press charges, I swear this isn''t over-"


    He never finished his sentence. Yvonne''s hand shot out and connected with his cheek in a loud, sharp p. She was getting quite good at pping scumbagstely.


    "I''m not finished either, Matthew," she said, her voice dangerously calm. "You bribed a doctor and falsified a medical report. I will be reserving my right to sue you for that."


    Without waiting for his reaction, she turned and left with Sandra and thewyer, leaving Matthew standing there with a stunned, red face.


    Outside the station, thewyer cleared his throat. "Ms. Jones, while Mr. Gonzalez didmit forgery, the offense isn''t severe, and it didn''t cause any serious harm. It would be very difficult to get a conviction. Awsuit would be a long, draining process, and in the end, you''d likely only get a small mary settlement.”


    "I know," Yvonne said coolly. "I have no intention of suing him." A little money was far too lenient a punishment for a man like Matthew. When he was at his lowest, the original Yvonne had stood by him, shared his struggles, and helped him rebuild. In return, he had left her to die a miserable death. Now that she was gone, why should he be allowed to live a life of sess andfort?


    "Sandra," Yvonne said, turning to her friend. "I want to meet Noah Thompson. Can you arrange it for me?"


    Sandra''s eyes widened in shock. "Noah? Noah Thompson, the CEO of the Thompson Group?"


    "Yes," Yvonne confirmed.


    "You might as well ask me to


    schedule a meeting with the


    President. can''t help you with that


    Fof


    Sandra said, exasperated. The wealthiest man in Istra the the head of the top conglomerate—he wasn''t someone you could just meet on a whim.


    “I know you can find a way. I''m counting on you," Yvonne said, sliding into the passenger seat of Sandra''s Audi. Sandra''ste husband had been well-connected, and Yvonne was sure she could pull some strings.


    A weekter, just as she had predicted, Yvonne got a call from Sandra.


    "I''ve scheduled a meeting with Mr. Thompson for two o''clock this afternoon, Sandra said, her tone stiff. "He''s an extremely busy man. You have exactly ten minutes. t had cost Sandra a considerable


    ????


    number of favors to make it happen.


    “Ten minutes is more than enough,” Yvonne replied. She grabbed the file she had already prepared, and the two of them headed to the Thompson Group headquarters.