Chapter 426

Charles didn’t have to say a word; the look in his eyes said it all, seeking his input without uttering a syllable. Dahlia and Charles were practically an open secret. Everyone was aware that Dahlia was his fiancée-in-waiting. But Charles was a man of principles, never one to leverage his position for personal gain.
Dahlia quickly wheeled herself over to Charles. “Charles, I’m ready to cooperate with the investigation, but do I really have to stay here overnight?” She was dropping a hint, hoping Charles would bail her out. The chief had already suggested that one word from Charles could keep her from spending the night there.
“Dahlia,” Charles said, looking at her. His voice was soft, but the message was clear. He wouldn’t compromise his principles or pull strings to get her out. The situation involved Eve’s mother, and he needed to get to the bottom of it.
However, Dahlia wasn’t about to give up easily. “Charles, Sandy’s still in the hospital. She needs me at night.” She pressed on, “You know how serious her condition is. If she doesn’t see me, she’ll cry for me, and what if that makes her worse?”
With her own plea falling on deaf ears, Dahlia tried using Sandy as her ace. But Charles countered, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her.” His words left no room for doubt.
The chief got the message loud and clear. Dahlia wasn’t going to receive any special treatment and was promptly escorted away. Evelyn turned off the video, hit delete, and walked out with determination. If Charles dared to whisk Dahlia away, she was ready to blow the whistle on him.
Charles gave Evelyn a glance and followed her out. Aiden was parked outside, waiting with the car. “I’ll take you back to the hospital,” Charles said, not allowing Evelyn a chance to decline. He gently but firmly took her wrist, guiding her into the
car.
Evelyn was already feeling lousy,
thanks to her cycle, and barely had the energy to keep it together. She didn’t have the strength to argue with Charles at the police station entrance. Once inside the car she pressed herself against the window, as far from Charles as she could manage. He spoke softly, “Don’t worry, I’ll find the best doctor for your mom.”
Evelyn didn’t respond, her eyes fixed on the scenery outside. “Eve, why did you say those things in the hospital
room?” Charles asked,
intense. Evelyn closed her
1.n
choosing silence over a response. His question alone showed he’d already jumped to conclusions, thinking Dahlia was Debbie and she wasn’t.
When Evelyn didn’t reply, Charles’s lips twitched as if he had more to say, but he let it go. The drive back to the hospital was a quiet one. Evelyn pushed the door open and got out as soon as they arrived. Charles stayed put, instructing Aiden to take her to Sandy’s hospital to be with her.
…
Back at the police station, Dahlia was led into a cell. Accustomed to a life of luxury, she found the environment unbearable. As soon as she entered, her face twisted in disgust. The air was thick, a cocktail of unpleasant smells making her stomach turn. The woman closest to her reeked of body odor.
Dahlia wrinkled her nose, speaking with contempt, “Get away from me. Can’t you tell you stink?” For the past two years, Dahlia had been basking in the glow of being Charles’s fiancee-to-be, reveling in the pampering that came with it. Except, of course, when she needed to play the damsel in distress in front of Charles.