Chapter 144

The deserted boulevard stretched endlessly before her.

Nathan Blackwood didn't so much as glance at Vanessa Holloway lying crumpled on the pavement. He simply slid into his sleek black car and disappeared down the street.

Vanessa was left discarded like yesterday's garbage, her injuries ignored by every passing stranger.

With trembling hands, she pulled herself up and dialed her uncle. The moment he answered, his furious voice exploded through the phone.

"You wretched fool! What did you do to enrage Mr. Blackwood? He's threatening to destroy my entire company! Explain yourself!"

Vanessa's breath caught in her throat when sudden car horns interrupted her panic.

Was Nathan sending someone back for her? Had he reconsidered?

Her fleeting hope shattered as police vehicles screeched to a halt before her.

"Vanessa Holloway?" An officer stepped forward, his expression stern. "You're under arrest for attempted murder."

Ice flooded her veins.

The brief flicker of optimism vanished as reality crashed down. The police - not Nathan - had come for her.

Cold metal cuffs snapped around her wrists before she was shoved into the squad car. The wailing sirens echoed her internal scream of despair.

At Sterling Corporation...

Evelyn Sinclair reviewed the final details of Kingsley Tech's project. With Donovan Sterling overseeing the technical aspects, her mind could focus on more pressing matters.

The weight of her new CEO position showed in the stack of bid proposals demanding her attention.

"President Sinclair?" Bennett approached as she exited the conference room. "Sebastian Hart called twice. It sounded urgent."

Evelyn accepted her phone with a nod. Sebastian answered on the first ring.

"Evelyn! Have you seen the news? Vanessa Holloway's been arrested!"

Evelyn's perfectly arched brows lifted. "I've been in meetings all morning. What happened?"

"Nathan Blackwood personally handed your evidence to the police! Vanessa confessed everything overnight!"

A sardonic smile curved Evelyn's lips. "How... unexpected. I assumed his affection for her ran deeper."

Sebastian's laugh held no warmth. "That snake charmed my father Theodore in three days flat. She manipulated everyone into believing he loved her. When I told Nathan the truth, you should've seen his face!"

Evelyn's chest tightened unexpectedly. Three days of deception versus three years of torment - the irony wasn't lost on her.

But vengeance wasn't her concern now. Vanessa would face justice for her own choices.

"How did this become public knowledge?" Evelyn wondered aloud.

"Horizon Media broke the story. Lucas is apparently enjoying the show."

Evelyn ended the call and opened her news feed. The top trending headline blared: "Blackwood's Mistress Exposed as Murderer!"

Every damning detail had been leaked - photographs, confessions, the entire sordid timeline laid bare for public consumption.