Chapter 166
Chapter 166:
Hilliard grabbed the detective’s collar and hauled him against the wall. “Who paid you? My father? English?” he demanded, his face inches from the terrified officer’s.
“Let him go, sir!” Other officers rushed in and pulled Hilliard back.
“Making a scene won’t help, sir.” Gavin stepped forward, placing a steady hand on Hilliard’s arm.
Hilliard released the man and smoothed his suit, still breathing hard. He followed Gavin outside into the biting city air.
“The boat registration?” Hilliard asked.
“Reported stolen three days ago,” Gavin said grimly, opening the car door. “Backdated paperwork appeared this morning. Someone in the maritime office was bought p>
𝖳he 𝗯𝖾𝘀𝘵 r𝘦𝖺d𝗶ոg еxрe𝗋𝘪eո𝘤е 𝘰𝗻
Hilliard laughed — a bitter, hollow sound. “They are erasing everything,” he said, sliding into the back seat. “The Machine is working p>
He pulled out his phone and called Judge Miller.
“Judge Miller, this is Hilliard Holloway p>
“Ah, Hilliard. Your mother called,” the Judge’s voice was oily with reassurance. “Don’t worry, son. We’ll handle this quietly. No need for a scandal p>
“I want her in prison!” Hilliard shouted into the phone.
“Now, now. Let’s not be rash. Think of the merger. Think of the stock p>
The line went dead.
Hilliard threw his phone across the car. It shattered against the partition.
He drove to the hospital. He needed to tell Cailin — to warn her that the system had failed them. But Kegan’s men stopped him at the elevator.
“No visitors,” the guard said, his hand resting on his holster.
Hilliard turned to the nurse’s station and grabbed a notepad. He scribbled a note:
They are fixing the case. I am trying to stop it. The evidence is gone. Be careful. I am on your side.
He folded it and handed it to a nearby nurse. She had a kind face and a warm smile. “Of course, Mr. Holloway,” she said sweetly. “I’ll make sure she gets it right away p>
Hilliard left, already moving toward his next call, his next lawyer, his next fight.
As soon as the elevator doors closed behind him, the nurse’s smile vanished. She walked directly to a biohazard bin, dropped the folded note inside among the used swabs and gauze, and then drew out her phone, typing a single encrypted message to a contact saved only as JH: Message intercepted.
Upstairs, Cailin sat in the silence of Elia’s room.
“He hasn’t even called,” she thought. “He arrested her for show, and now he’s letting her go p>
She was completely alone.
The steps of the police station were crowded with cameras. It was a circus.
Cailin stood on the sidewalk, summoned by the DA for a “statement.” Kegan was beside her.
The heavy doors swung open.
Charla walked out.
She wasn’t in handcuffs. She wore a fresh designer dress, her hair perfectly styled, and she looked as though she were leaving a spa rather than a jail cell. Cameras flashed like lightning.
“Justice has prevailed!” Charla beamed, waving to the crowd. “It was a terrible misunderstanding! I am the victim here p>
Cailin stepped forward, her body trembling with rage. “You monster p>
Kegan held her back. “Easy, Cali p>