Chapter 1

By the time the police burst into the banquet hall, I had my biological brother, Benji Collins, pinned with his face smashed firmly into a platter of lobster.

The officer leading the team was clearly stunned, staring at my expensive evening gown and the disastrous mess covering the table.

"What's going on here?" he asked. "Filming a movie?"

I didn't even turn my head. "Not a movie. A criminal case."

"Officer, it's him!"

I drove my knee into his back, keeping him completely immobilized.

"The suspect, Benji, just publicly described in detail a plan to dismember a body and dispose of it by dumping it into the river. He has the means to carry it out. I formally request his immediate arrest!"

The entire hall fell silent. Guests froze with wineglasses still raised, expressions locked in place.

Benji struggled in the greasy sauce, letting out muffled, furious roars.

"Are you insane, Arista? I was speaking figuratively! I was just trying to scare you! Let go of me!"

I tightened my grip and turned my head slightly to report to the police.

"This is intimidation. He's attempting to coerce me into withdrawing my report."

Then I pulled out my phone, opened the audio recording, and played it aloud.

Benji's irritable voice rang out, clear and unmistakable.

"Arista, I'm telling you—if you dare make Carmen upset again, I'll chop you into pieces and throw you into the river to feed the fish!"

I calmly explained to the officers, "'Chop into pieces' constitutes a specific method of committing the crime. 'Throw into the river to feed the fish' clearly identifies the disposal location and method.

"Under the criminal code, this is called criminal preparation—not a metaphor."

"Arista, please let Benji go!" The fake heiress, Carmen, rushed forward in tears, trying to pull me away. "He only said it out of anger because he loves me too much!"

I ignored her and pointed straight at her as I addressed the police.

"Officer, this woman is an accomplice who incited the crime. 'Anyone who makes her unhappy' was the explicit motive Benji identified. She knowingly exploited Benji's violent tendencies and subjectively pursued the outcome of me being harmed."

Carmen's sobs caught in her throat as she stared at me in disbelief.

At last, my adoptive parents reacted.

My adoptive mother charged at me, raising her hand to slap me. "You lunatic! You absolute lunatic! Are you trying to disgrace our family?!"

I twisted aside and dodged the blow, my grip never loosening.

My adoptive father's face darkened as he spoke to the officers.

"Officer, this is all a misunderstanding. A misunderstanding. It's just a family matter. My son is immature. I'll apologize to my younger daughter on his behalf."

As he spoke, he reached for his wallet, trying to stuff money into the officer's hand.

The officer stepped back, his expression turning cold.

"Sir, show some respect. Ma'am, we need to verify the situation with you. Do you insist on filing a formal complaint?"

Without hesitation, I replied, "I do. I request that a case be opened immediately. Benji has severe violent tendencies, and my personal safety is at risk at any time."

"Bullshit!" At those words, Benji somehow found the strength to break free of my restraint.

He kicked over the nearby rosewood round table. With a deafening crash, plates and bowls shattered across the floor.

He pointed at me, eyes bloodshot. "See if I don't kill you today!"

The police moved instantly. Two officers rushed forward and twisted his arms behind his back.

"Violent resistance to law enforcement! Take him away!"

As the handcuffs snapped shut, Benji fixed me with a sinister stare, dark and venomous—like a poisonous snake.

My adoptive parents and Carmen cried and screamed as they chased after him, plunging the banquet hall into chaos.

I smoothed the wrinkled fabric of my gown and walked to the center of the hall.

Facing the terrified guests, I addressed them politely.

"Under the law, knowingly failing to report a crime constitutes aiding and abetting. Your testimonies will affect the final verdict of this case. Please consider your words carefully. Thank you all for cooperating with the police in collecting evidence tonight."

The hall fell into complete silence. No one dared move. And no one dared speak.