Peter avoided my gaze. "Louise, if you don't sign the settlement agreement, I'll freeze all your bank cards. You won't have a single cent to spend."

My heart broke in two. Driven by despair, I struck my head against them repeatedly. When I couldn't reach, I kicked them fiercely in frustration.

"I, Louise Joplin, swear I'll uncover the truth for my daughter!"

I spent three grueling days visiting law firms all over Ardenfield. But each time, I was turned away.

Will did exactly as he said he would. His warning was enough to scare off anyone who might take my case.

Even beyond Ardenfield, not a single lawyer would agree to represent me.

Peter was equally ruthless, cutting off all my sources of income without a second thought. Left with no other choice, I began selling my jewelry and handbags just to scrape together enough for legal fees.

But to my dismay, no one dared to buy them.

As soon as they found out that I was the seller, they walked away. No discount could change their minds.

Crushed and disheartened, I went to apply for a loan, only to be turned away once again.

I used to have everything I ever wanted within my grasp. But now, I was nothing more than a desperate woman begging at the bank.

As the security guards led me outside, I spotted Will's car parked just beyond the door.

Soon, the window rolled down. With a smug gleam in her eyes, Violet looked over at me from the passenger seat.

Will threw the settlement agreement my way, treating me like a beggar.

"Louise, I'm sure it's clear to you now. Without us, you can't do a thing. I'm giving you one last chance. Sign the agreement, and I'll take you home."

I looked at Will as though he were a stranger.

No one but me ever sat in that passenger seat, and he never spoke to me so coldly before.

My glare cut straight into Violet.

A few years ago, Peter, Will, and Jeremy went hiking when a sudden storm trapped them high in the mountains.

When the rescue team found them the next day, they also discovered Violet's husband, Xavier Brookshire. Unfortunately, his body was already cold and lifeless.

Will said they slipped down a slope during their descent and lost consciousness. He was certain that Xavier saved their lives; without him, they would have perished.

Out of gratitude, I sent Violet two million dollars in cash and a banner honoring Xavier's heroic act. But to my surprise, she asked for one more favor.

She demanded that I remove every report related to Xavier as well as the storm incident.

Xavier saved my loved ones, and for that, I owed Violet my thanks. Still, I never thought their son would be the one to shove my daughter into the water years down the line.

Perhaps Violet was the one who pushed him to do it.

My face went pale at the thought.

I would never let Mia's death go unanswered—not even for the man who once saved Will's life.

Without another glance back at Will, I turned and walked away.

Behind me, Violet's sugary-sweet voice drifted over. "Will, don't hold me back. I want to apologize to Ms. Joplin. If I don't give up, she'll forgive me sooner or later."

Will spoke sharply, his voice trembling with fury. "We've spoiled Louise far too much! The only thing she's mastered is throwing tantrums. You don't owe her an apology. I'd honestly like to see how she manages to continue living her carefree life without us."

The wind swept past, stinging my eyes.

They once told me they hoped I would always remain this naive. But now, I understood just how oblivious I was all along. I thought I was the luckiest woman on earth, blindly holding onto my illusions about them.

From here on out, I was determined to seek justice for Mia on my own.

As I struggled to gather funds for a lawyer, Violet went live online.

She displayed the banner I once gave her.

"The person who once thanked me with this banner is now trying to take me to court. Without funds for a lawyer, my only option was to start a livestream to make ends meet."

In less than an hour after Violet went live, her popularity skyrocketed.

Donations poured in, and several lawyers volunteered to take the case on pro bono. Violet's sobs intensified, her tears streaming even more theatrically on camera.

Shortly after, Jeremy uploaded a surveillance video online, claiming it "proved" that Finn never pushed Mia.

Will publicly tagged Violet on social media, pledging to uphold justice and fight in court for both her and Finn's sakes.

Peter even took to Joplin Group's official account to issue a statement promising to advocate for Violet's cause. He warned that if I continued to deny my "mistakes", he would sever all ties with me.

Before long, the internet dredged up the story of when I presented that banner to Violet.

My social media was bombarded with hateful messages from strangers. Some even sent packages filled with animal carcasses.

When I opened one, a scream escaped me, and I tossed it aside in horror.

Out of nowhere, Will's mocking laughter drifted behind me.

His voice came like a whisper from the darkest corners of hell. "You're frightened, aren't you? Do you really think it's wise to keep causing trouble?"

Goosebumps prickled along my skin.

Standing inches behind me, he murmured into my ear, his words sending a shiver down my spine. "If you keep causing a scene, I can't promise what those netizens might do to you next time."

I collapsed to the floor, my eyes brimming with sorrow.

I was so naive. I believed Will to be refined and courteous, Jeremy to embody honor and justice, and Peter to be kindhearted.

However, I overlooked the fact that their success wasn't built on being reasonable. They only ever indulged me, never revealing the cold ruthlessness that truly defined them.

"What is it that you want from me?" I asked.

A satisfied smile slowly spread across Will's lips. "If you'd asked me this question sooner, it would've made things simpler. In the end, you have to compromise anyway, so what was the point of holding out?

"Just so you know, the press conference is set for tomorrow. As an immediate family member, you're expected to publicly declare that Mia's death was an accident and has no ties to Violet or Finn. You will also issue a formal apology for the false accusations against them."

Before I could say a word, Will pressed his hand over my mouth.

"Don't be so quick to say no. Think carefully. Can you really handle what'll happen if you refuse today?"

With that, he pulled out his phone and displayed the live feed from the nursing home's surveillance cameras.

I gazed blankly at the screen, watching an old woman lying in bed.

It was my grandmother, Paula Hilliker. In fact, she was the only family member I had left.

Two years ago, she suffered a stroke. As a result, her lower body was completely paralyzed, and she had limited mobility in her upper body.

Even so, she asked the caregiver to pick up a handkerchief for her. Thread by thread, she embroidered my nickname onto the fabric, decorating it with a small crescent moon.

She said it was a birthday present for me.

Through the camera, I saw her holding the gift box tightly, her gaze locked on the door. It was obvious she was waiting for me.

We agreed I would visit her the day after my birthday. She wanted to hand me the gift herself. However, I never showed up, but she was still waiting to see me.

The guilt crushed me, and tears spilled down my cheeks. Furious, I lunged for Will's phone. "You bastard! How dare you use my grandmother to threaten me!" I screamed.

Will, however, caught my arm with ease. "How can you possibly call this a threat? Louise, I'm afraid you're still far too naive. Anyway, are you set for the press conference tomorrow? Have you figured out what you're going to say?"

He pinched my chin with one hand while absentmindedly twirling his phone with the other.

The sharp taste of blood filled my mouth, and at last, I found my voice.

"Yes, I have."

Will carefully wiped the tears streaming down my face. "Enough now. If you keep crying, it'll tear me apart. When everything is settled tomorrow, I'll come with you to see Paula."

Each sob tore through me, leaving me gasping for air. Suddenly, I sank my teeth into Will's arm. A hiss escaped him, but he made no move to resist.

As the metallic tang of blood spread across my tongue, I pulled away.

"Will… do you ever dream of Mia in the dead of night?"

He paused, his features hardening. After a moment, he held me gently in his arms. "Louise, try to stay strong. We'll have more children of our own someday."

…

The next morning, Jeremy came to pick me up for the press conference.

As soon as we entered the venue, the reporters wasted no time shoving their microphones right in my face.

"Mrs. O'Hara, what makes you believe the son of your husband's savior is responsible for your child's death? Do you have any proof to back up these allegations?"

"Mrs. O'Hara, could jealousy be influencing your accusations against Ms. McGrath and her son?"

Peter stood behind the reporters, silently urging me forward with his eyes. Jeremy passed me the microphone, while Will nudged my waist.

I took the microphone almost on autopilot. Sticking to the script, I offered my clarification and apology.

But before I could finish, the reporters unleashed a storm of biting questions.

"Mrs. O'Hara, are you genuinely sincere in admitting your mistake?"

"Why are you reading from a script? Is your apology heartfelt, or are you just caving to public pressure?"

The pointed questions and flashing cameras overwhelmed me. I stepped back, only to see Will blocking my way.

Out of nowhere, a hand clutched my skirt.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. O'Hara. My mother only brought me to Ardenfield for medical treatment. We never meant to snatch Mr. O'Hara away from you.

"That day, Mia accidentally fell into the water. I didn't push her. Please, forgive me."

As soon as Finn finished speaking, the reporters immediately shifted their microphones toward him.

Violet reacted instantly. While apologizing to me, she scooped Finn into her arms and started backing away.

Without hesitation, Jeremy's team stepped in to create a protective barrier around them.

The reporters quickly turned their attention back to me, firing questions about whether jealousy had driven my accusations.

Just as Violet began to walk away, a gold pendant slipped from Finn's neck and fell to the floor.

My eyes widened the moment I spotted it. Instinctively, I lunged forward, reaching out to grab it.

But Violet was faster. She snatched it away before I could.

Just then, Will stepped in and held me firmly. "Have you forgotten about Paula?" he whispered.

From the crowd, a voice shouted, "This vile woman just tried to attack someone in front of all these witnesses! It's obvious she never intended to apologize sincerely."

"Exactly. Who could be that heartless?"

Suddenly, a water bottle was hurled onto the stage. The moment it struck my shoulder, a gasp escaped me.

Without warning, the crowd surged forward, their fury spilling over.

Will and Jeremy swiftly stepped in to escort Violet and Finn to safety.

Meanwhile, the enraged crowd grabbed at my arms. Filled with despair, I looked ahead, only to see that Peter was already gone.

As the crowd pressed tighter around me, I was shoved to the ground, blows raining down on me like a fierce storm.

I instinctively shielded my belly, my voice shaking with fear.

"No… Will! Jeremy! Peter! Please… save me!

"Save the baby…"

However, my cries were lost in the chaos. No one heard me.

Suddenly, I felt warm liquid spreading beneath me.

My child was in danger.

After what felt like forever, the crowd finally noticed the blood soaking my skirt. With frightened screams, they scattered in all directions.

Still, no one moved to call for help. Eventually, it was the staff who took action and dialed 911.