A harsh bang on the table made Serena flinch back to reality.
She looked up to find Davis glaring at her again with his lips curled into a sneer. "Quit playing games, Miss Bolting. We have witnesses who saw you fleeing the scene covered in Miss Delaney's blood. You might as well fess up now and save us all some time." Panic gripped Serena's chest at those accusations. Her breathing became shallow and rapid. This couldn't be true. It wasn’t true. She opened her mouth to speak, but only a strangled sound came out. Jenkins stepped in smoothly. "That's enough inflammatory assertions for now, Officer Davis. My client is not obligated to submit to your prosecutorial badgering without more substantive evidence." His calm, even tones helped Serena regain her equilibrium. Davis looked furious but couldn't seem to regain his footing against the accomplished lawyer. For the first time, a flicker of hope sparked within Serena's embattled heart. Jenkins maintained his professional demeanor as Davis continued to sputter indignantly. "Your client was caught red-handed at the scene! What more evidence do you need?" "Alleged circumstantial evidence is not proof of guilt," Jenkins countered nonchalantly. "I'm sure you're aware that Miss Bolting has no prior criminal record and is an upstanding member of the community. The burden rests on your department to provide concrete facts tying her to this terrible crime." Serena felt a wave of gratitude toward her father's loyal counsel. Jenkins' reasoned arguments were helping to ground her amid this waking nightmare. Davis regained his composure and sneered once more. "Well then, let's hear it straight from the horse's mouth. What's your story, Miss Bolting? We're all ears." Serena swallowed. Hard. Her throat had gone dry with nerves. She caught Jenkins' reassuring nod and took a steadying breath. "I...I went to Alex’s apartment that night," she began haltingly. "I had originally intended to pleasantly surprise him by coming back earlier than expected and extending a personal invitation for him to join me at tonight’s prestigious award gala." Images of two night’s ago danced before her eyes - the mischievous smile on Diana's face as Serena walked in and discovered her husband in a compromising position with Diana on his bed. Their bed even though she hardly slept on it. Serena inhaled once more. "When I arrived, Diana was there. They were...intimate." Serena felt heat rise in her cheeks as the mortifying scene played out again behind her eyes. "I was shocked. Betrayed. Diana was my closest friend and Alex was my..." She trailed off. She willed herself to maintain composure as the anguish washed over her anew. "There was a heated argument. Accusations flew in every direction. But I swear to you, I never raised a hand to Diana. I could never hurt her, despite her...indiscretions." Davis studied her appraisingly, his expression unreadable. Serena forged on. "Eventually I just...I had to get out of there. I stormed out, got in my car, and left the scene with my driver. That's the absolute truth. When I heard the horrible news later..." She choked back a sob. "I can't describe how devastated I was. But I didn't do this. You have to believe me." The room went silent as officer and the lawyer sized each other up. Serena was overwhelmed by the weight of her future. The officer's eyes narrowed as he leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. "A heated argument, you say? With two people you cared about deeply betraying you in the worst way?" He tsked and shook his head slowly. "I can only imagine the rage, the jealousy that must have consumed you in that moment, Miss Bolting. To have your supposed best friend and your… boyfriend? Fiancé or possibly husband…, carrying on behind your back like that?" He held up a hand as Serena opened her mouth to protest. "The crime scene told quite a story, you know. Overturned furniture, broken glass - it was clear a violent struggle took place. And Diana..." The officer's gaze bored into her. "The poor woman was beaten to a bloody pulp. You're trying to tell me you just stormed out and left them there, alive and well?" Serena felt her pulse thundering in her ears as her temper flared. "I did not kill her!" she shouted, slamming her fist on the table. "How dare you accuse me of such a despicable act! I loved Diana like a sister, and Alex..." She swallowed hard against the lump in her throat. "Despite his betrayal, I could never harm him either." Officer Davis arched an eyebrow skeptically. "So you claim. But the evidence paints a very different picture, Miss Bolting. A picture of a jealous, enraged woman who simply couldn't control her emotions when confronted with her man’s infidelity. A woman with motive, means, and opportunity to commit murder." Serena opened her mouth to vehemently deny his twisted accusations once more, but Jenkins cut her off with a warning look. She clenched her jaw, hands balling into white-knuckled fists on the table as she fought for composure. This was not going well at all. The relentless interrogator seemed determined to cast her as the villain. The officer smirked, leaning back in his chair with a look of smug satisfaction. "I'd say that little outburst just proved my point about you being a violent person, Miss Bolting." Before Serena could respond, Jenkins quickly intervened. "Officer Davis, I must insist you cease these inflammatory accusations against my client immediately." His voice was firm but measured. "Miss Bolting is understandably distraught after the traumatic events of the past day. She is in no fit mental state to be interrogated so relentlessly at present." Officer Davis scoffed. "Traumatic for her? What about the victim? Diana was savagely beaten to death. I'd say that's a hell of a lot more traumatic." "We understand your dedication to seeking justice," Jenkins replied calmly. "However, continuing to badger and provoke Miss Bolting will only impede your investigation, not aid it. She has already given her statement. I suggest we adjourn for now and allow some time for her to compose herself properly." Clenching her hands together so tightly her nails dug into her palms, Serena struggled to keep her emotions in check. She could feel hot tears of anger and exhaustion pricking her eyes. This was all too much. Jenkins placed a gentle hand on her arm. "Deep breaths, Miss Bolting. Don't let him rattle you." His voice was low and soothing. "We'll get through this, but you must remain strong." Serena managed a small nod, focusing on the lawyer's calming presence. He was right - losing control now would only reinforce the vile accusations against her. She was innocent. She just had to keep reminding herself of that. And with any luck, she'll be able to extricate herself from this predicament. Alive!!Jenkins turned to Davis. "Now, about securing my client's release on bail..."Officer Davis let out a harsh bark of laughter. "You can't be serious. After what we've heard today? Your client is a person of interest in a brutal murder case. She's not going anywhere until we get to the bottom of this."Keeping his voice level, Jenkins replied, "Miss Bolting has been fully cooperative. She's an upstanding citizen with no criminal record. There are no grounds to continue holding her.""Says you," Davis retorted, his eyes narrowing. "The evidence so far paints a different picture. As I said, your client had motive - a jealous rage over her man's cheating. And her fragile state today speaks volumes."Serena opened her mouth to protest, but Jenkins raised his hand, signaling her to stay quiet and let him do the talking."We'll let the courts decide if there are sufficient grounds for charges," the lawyer stated firmly. "For now, I'm invoking my client's rights and requesting her immediate re
~Meanwhile~Serena's body jerked forward as the sleek town car suddenly came to a halt. Red and blue lights were flashing behind the tinted windows. The Police! Serena gasped inwardly. Why were they here again?Jenkins put a reassuring hand on her trembling fingers. "Stay inside, Miss Bolting. I'll handle this."His authoritative tone did little to calm Serena's frayed nerves. He stepped out onto the desolate road, the door clicking shut behind him.She strained to make out his muffled words as he approached the blockade of patrol cars. Though she couldn't hear the exchange, Jenkins' rigid posture and terse gestures made it clear he was pissed off.Serena's stomach twisted into knots. They were so close to whisking her away from this nightmare. But now the flashing lights seemed to mock her, trapping her like an animal caught in their sights.Her throat burned with unshed tears as she watched Jenkins run an agitated hand through his dirty blond hair. A heated argument was ongoing
The jarring ringtone sliced through the hazy afterglow, shattering the tranquil silence that had enveloped the couple tangled on the large plush bed.Alex stirred, his brow furrowing as he reached blindly for the offending device. The seductive lithe form shifted beside him, the sheets tangling around her lissom curves as she blinked owlishly in the dim light filtering through the heavy drapes."Speak!" Alex answered gruffly, his voice still roughened by exertion and the dregs of slumber. He stiffened almost imperceptibly when the voice on the other end relayed its message."Very well. I'll be right down."Snapping the phone shut, he turned to find the woman watching him with undisguised curiosity. Her tousled chestnut locks framed her face in an enticing disarray, and the smudged remains of her deep crimson lipstick only enhanced the wicked allure dancing in her kohl-rimmed eyes."That was Paul. My father has arrived at the manor." he supplied without any preamble.A muscle ticked in
Alex got busy with making plans to seize the power that was left vacant due to the death of President Bolting which was finally announced more than an hour ago.He immediately left for the office after seeing his father and the mysterious lady off.The ring of his cell phone sliced through the thick silence inside his office.Alex glanced down at the caller ID and a knot twisted in his gut.He motioned for his assistance to leave before answering with a curt, "Hello?""Alex." A familiar female rasped. “I just saw the news. People are going to start feeling sorry for her. You have to do something before she gains their sympathy."Alex clenched his jaw. The irritation radiating off of him at the voice of the caller was palpable but he maintained his composure. "I know. I'm worried if this sympathy takes hold, her story might start seeming believable.""Exactly!" the woman’s urgency crackled through the line. "You can't let her get out of this, Alex. I need you to call an emergency press
~Meanwhile~Rest had been a total stranger to Serena throughout that pitch-black night from hell, completely oblivious of the latest scheme her dear husband had plotted against her.Her eyes were haunted and sunken, weighed down by sheer exhaustion like a pair of concrete blocks.Her voice had cracked like a fragile leaf about to be torn apart by the wind. Desperation seeped into every ragged syllable she had uttered until this moment.The salty tears brimmed on the precipice of her thick lashes, threatening to spill over at any second. "You have to believe me," Serena pleaded, her lower lip quivering. "I'm innocent, I swear on my life I didn't do anything wrong."These words had become a haunting mantra, echoing relentlessly in the hollow corners of her mind ever since she'd been forcibly hauled into this cold, dank holding cell hours ago.A sickening wave of nausea surged over Serena as the crushing weight of those damning accusations bore down on her like a torrential storm. Each w
Serena gradually clawed back from unconsciousness until the world around her swirled into focus.The stark reality of her predicament hit her like a sledgehammer as she found herself sprawled on a hard mattress and surrounded by a ring of concerned faces.At the forefront stood Kate, her loyal companion alongside several officers whose expressions bore a tumultuous blend of emotions etched across their features."Serena, are you alright?" The question was laced with genuine worry. It was Kate's voice, tender and trembling like a frightened bird caught in a storm.Their bond was more than just between a manager and her artist, and the severity of the moment only served to solidify that connection.Serena battled against the pulsating pain that echoed inside her skull, each throb a cruel reminder of her reality. She summoned whatever strength she had left to sit upright. The movement shot electrifying jolts of agony through her body as if her very nerves were rebelling against her."You
An ominous silence fell over the sleek, black van as it pulled up to the towering courthouse.Serena's chest tightened when her gaze landed on the seething crowd that outnumbered even the ravenous one they'd escaped at the police station.An array of angry faces blended together, bound by their shared animosity and stoking one another's rage like a roaring inferno.Serena swallowed hard. She had faced her share of obsessive fans and paparazzi frenzies, but this...this was different. These were mobs vying for her blood.Her delicate fingers trembled as she clutched the door handle, steeling herself to face the barrage of hateful words that was sure to come."Just keep your head down and let us do our job." a gruff voice beside her muttered.Serena took a deep breath and gave a curt nod, stepping aside to let them lead her out onto the steps.A thunderous bellow burst from the mob, sending a wave of hateful words hurtling towards her as a barrage of venomous allegations and derogatory r
Jenkin watched in awe as the two men effortlessly dispatched his would-be attackers in a flurry of well-aimed bullets.It was over in seconds, and the disturbing silence that followed rang in his ears.The two strangers prowled towards Jenkin's crumpled vehicle with the focused intensity of apex predators.One was a mountain of a man, his sculpted face betraying no trace of emotion. The other cut an intimidating figure, though his frightening demeanor was complemented by a wicked grin.Jenkin scrambled back when the grinning man leveled his gun at the windshield. "Out of the car, Counselor. Nice and slow," he said in a voice smooth as silk.Jenkin's mouth was drier than the Sahara. He fumbled with the door latch and stepped out on trembling legs to face his unlikely saviors.Up close, the intensity in the man’s pale eyes was jarring and predatory."W-Who the hell are you people?" Jenkin managed, fighting to keep his voice steady.Killian's grin widened a fraction, though the mirth nev