Chapter 4

Just as I put my phone away, Mikael and Lisa suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He was slightly out of breath. The moment he saw me, he reached out and tried to pull me into his arms.

I dodged him coldly. Instead of getting angry, he turned with a fake smile and grabbed Mom's arm in a show of warmth.

"It's fine, really. It's just a watch. If Flora likes it, she can keep it. Consider it a gift from me," he said.

"Mikael!" Tori shrieked. "That watch is worth over a million dollars. It's a rare auction piece!

"It was no wonder that the old hag's eyes lit up when she saw it. If you give such an expensive thing to a thief, what will everyone else at the company think?"

Mikael sighed, pretending to look torn. "Flora, if you really liked it, you could've just told me. Why did you have to steal it? You're putting all of us in a difficult position."

Mom was on the verge of tears. "Mikael, I swear I didn't steal it. Here, take it back."

Lisa snorted coldly. "Oh, sure. Now that you've been caught red-handed, you're suddenly ready to return it?"

I snatched the watch out of Mom's trembling hand and hurled it straight at them. "Here! Take it! Now, why don't you tell me who hit Mom?"

Tori rolled her eyes dramatically. "She wouldn't admit that she stole it. Of course, she deserved a slap."

My fury finally broke loose. I didn't even know where I got the strength to shove off the three security guards holding me back. I grabbed a vase from a nearby table and smashed it down hard on Tori's head.

Mikael gasped and threw his arms around her protectively. "Harmony! How could you get violent and hit her?"

I laughed bitterly. "Didn't you say you were calling the police? Go ahead, do it! Let's pull up every camera in Jardine Group and see if Mom actually stole anything."

Lisa frowned hard and retorted, "There are blind spots in every surveillance system. Don't think you can use tricks to wriggle out of this. Besides, if anyone's calling the police, they'll come for you first for assault."

At that, Tori suddenly started wailing dramatically while clutching her head. "Ah! My head! I think I've got a serious concussion! This counts as a grievous injury! She could go to prison for at least three years!"

Lisa gave a cold, fake smile. "Don't worry, Tori. We have connections at the hospital. The injury report will say whatever we want it to say."

The moment she said that, Tori dropped the act and stuck her tongue out at Mom.

Tori taunted, "You old hag. Let's see what the hospital report will say later. I wonder if it is my slap or your daughter's wild act that did more damage.

"Who knows? Maybe by the time Harmony gets out of prison, you'd already be dead."

I was about to lash out again when Mom suddenly clamped a hand over my mouth. Streams of tears rolled down her face.

She trembled as she cried out, "Please don't call the police! Don't arrest Harmony… I'm the one who stole it! I'll go with you. Arrest me instead!"

"Mom!" I shouted, my voice breaking.

Mom squeezed my hand, her tone desperate and pleading. "Don't say another word. Please."

My nose stung, and my vision blurred with tears. I gripped her hand back, silently making a vow.

Even if it meant I had to go to prison, I wouldn't let her suffer anymore. Just as I steeled myself to do whatever it took, a roar of engines echoed from outside.

A convoy of luxury cars pulled up in front of the Jardine Group building.

Lisa gasped, her expression shifting from arrogance to surprise. "Wait a minute… Aren't those cars from Gilbert Group? They rejected our partnership offer last week.

"Why are they suddenly here? Could it be that they changed their minds after seeing how sincere we are?"

Mikael's eyes lit up, too. "Look at that lineup. The chairman must be here himself! They must've decided to accept our proposal. Let's go meet them."

Mom's grip on my hand loosened slightly. She turned to me with confusion written all over her face.

"Kenneth? Why is he here?"