Chapter 2

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.