Chapter 5

George was taken away.

Behind Celine, Derrick's cold voice cut through the room.

"I'll represent Jenny in your father's case.

"And I'll personally make sure she gets justice."

Celine went pale.

Derrick was the best lawyer in Nordica City.

He'd never lost a case.

If he wanted her dad behind bars, George didn't stand a chance.

Celine swallowed her pride. "How much does Jenny want? I'll pay it.

"Just don't press charges, okay?"

Derrick looked down at Celine's pale face, a flicker of pain crossing his eyes.

He reached out to steady her, but whatever hesitation he had quickly turned cold.

"Celine, don't do this. I'm a lawyer. If I let my feelings get in the way, I'd only hurt the victim again."

Celine shook, and the tears finally fell.

She stared at him like she didn't know him at all.

Derrick brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "Don't make this harder. Find another way if you want, but I won't help you. That's my line.

"You're my wife. If I helped you, it wouldn't be fair to JenJen."

'Fair. That word again.'

Jenny had obviously framed her dad. The setup was so obvious.

And somehow, Derrick still believed her without question.

If he wanted to take Jenny's side, fine.

But calling it fair?

That somehow made Celine look like the unreasonable one.

She shoved him away, wiped her tears, and stumbled out.

'If Derrick won't help me, I'll do it myself.'

...

For the next few days, Celine barely stopped moving.

She sat through one dinner after another, forcing smiles and knocking back glass after glass of liquor.

Her stomach burned.

Once, in the restroom, she even saw bright red streaks in her vomit.

She gripped the sink, about to rinse her mouth, when a hand appeared beside her.

Long fingers held out a neatly folded handkerchief.

"Do you need me to call a doctor?"

Celine looked up fast.

She found a striking man watching her.

The man wore a sharp charcoal suit and watched her quietly.

Celine looked at the handkerchief, her grip tightening on the sink.

Him again.

For the past six months, whenever Derrick and Jenny left her sitting alone somewhere, this guy always seemed to show up.

Never too close.

Never too far.

Just a few tables away, watching her.

She'd always thought it was weird, but never gave it much thought.

Now, when she didn't take the handkerchief and only looked at him warily, disappointment flickered across his face.

He pulled his hand back and set the handkerchief on the dry counter.

"I'm sorry." He gave a small nod. "I crossed a line."

He handed her a business card, concern still in his eyes. "If you ever need help, call me.

"Don't worry. I'm not some creep."

With a polite nod, he left.

Celine stared at the card for a long moment before picking it up with shaky fingers.

[Hank Harrison]

[CEO, Ventura Corp]

She pulled out her phone and looked up the company.

Ventura Corp had been a major player in Nordica City for decades, with influence way beyond Derrick's reach.

Celine stared at the card, her fingertips cold.

Nobody offered help for free.

Especially not someone as powerful as Hank.

His kindness had to come with a price she couldn't even guess.

Celine tucked the card into the deepest pocket of her purse.

She quickly wiped her mouth, fixed her makeup, and went back to the private dining room.

But the second everyone heard Derrick was opposing counsel, they backed out.

"Celine, you're married to Derrick. Why come to us? Go home, be a little nicer, and talk to your husband. Wouldn't that work better?"

A bitter smile tugged at her lips.

'Be a little nicer?'

She'd already begged him.

She'd swallowed every ounce of pride she had, only for him to say, "The law doesn't make exceptions for personal feelings."

What else was she supposed to do?!

Then yesterday's visit with George hit her all over again.

Through the glass, she'd seen small cuts all over her dad's aging face.

His hands were bruised and swollen, so bad he could barely hold the phone right.

But the second he saw her, he still forced a smile and awkwardly waved.

"Celine, don't worry... I'm eating fine. I'm warm. I'm doing great in here.

"Don't worry about me..."

That fake smile hurt worse than if he'd broken down crying.

Celine bit her lip until she tasted blood, forcing the sob back down.

'I can't wait anymore. Dad can't take much more of this.'

Dead tired, she dragged herself home.

The second she opened the door, she froze.