Chapter 265 Prisoner

Chapter 265 Prisoner

Outside the apartment building, reporters who had rushed over after hearing the news had already crowded the area.

When Stefan was escorted out by two police officers, the scene instantly erupted into chaos.

"Mr. Hensley! Why are the police taking you away?"

"Mr. Hensley, there are rumors online that you're connected to Ms. Clark's death. Is it true?"

"Were you here to meet Ms. Clark? What exactly happened between you two?"

Camera flashes erupted in a frenzy, clearly capturing his handcuffed wrists and pale face.

The cameras were practically shoved in his face, each question sharp and relentless.

Stefan remained expressionless, his eyes fixed ahead as the officers pushed him through the chaotic crowd toward the police car.

The more silent he was, the more excited the reporters became.

This was the CEO of the Hensley Group, one of Harmony City's social elite, now a murder suspect.

It was news that could shake the whole city.

"Get out of the way, all of you!"

With a piercing shout, Dione and Cecilia, protected by Garth and several bodyguards, struggled to push through the crowd.

Dione's makeup streaked from tears, her hair disheveled—a far cry from her usual elegance.

Her eyes were bloodshot, glaring at the reporters with a fierceness never seen before.

"My son is innocent! If you dare spread lies, I'll sue you into ruin!"

But her threats sounded powerless against such sensational news.

The reporters immediately turned their cameras, shifting their focus to them.

"Mrs. Hensley, what's your view on your son being suspected of murder?"

"Ms. Martinez, as Mr. Hensley's fiancée, did you know about his private meetings with Ms. Clark?"

"Is this incident related to a love triangle between you three?"

Dione swayed, nearly collapsing under the barrage of questions.

Cecilia held Dione up firmly. She felt a chill all over, but her eyes remained steady.

She stepped forward, standing in front of Dione, facing the countless cameras with a clear and steady voice.

"First, Stefan is innocent, and I believe the law will clear his name."

"Second, this is a malicious frame-up, and we will pursue it to the end."

Her gaze swept across everyone present as she added seriously, "Thank you for your concern. Now, please step aside and don't block our way."

With that, she ignored all further questions, protecting the dazed Dione as the bodyguards cleared a path, and they quickly got into a car.

The police car took Stefan away, along with the Hensley family's mainstay.

The news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of Harmony City within just half an hour.

[Breaking News! Hensley Group CEO Stefan is suspected of murdering socialite Anna and has been taken into police custody!]

[Elite Vendetta! Former engaged couple turn against each other—one dead, one behind bars!]

[Wedding in Jeopardy! Common designer's dream of marrying into wealth shattered!]

Every major news outlet's front page and online trending lists were dominated by this explosive news.

The accompanying photo showed Stefan being handcuffed and led out of the apartment building, his usually noble and composed face now pale and exhausted.

The news caused huge waves.

The Hensley Group's stock price plummeted immediately, hitting the lower trading limit within ten minutes of opening.

Phones rang nonstop—partners, investors, shareholders... everyone's nerves were stretched to the breaking point.

At the Hensley Mansion, chaos reigned.

"Dione! What's going on? How could Stefan kill someone? This is impossible!"

"Dione, say something! It's all over the news outside! The Hensley family's reputation is ruined! With the stock price falling like this, what about our dividends?"

"Exactly! Stefan is the Hensley family's backbone. If something happens to him, what will happen to all of us? Will someone else take over the company?"

More than a dozen Hensley family relatives, men and women, were all crowded in the living room, talking over each other, giving everyone a headache.

They claimed to be concerned, but their shifty eyes and faces showed they were actually gloating and scheming.

When Stefan was around, they were kept firmly in check and didn’t dare complain.

Now that Stefan had fallen, their ambitions began to stir.

Dione remained silent throughout.

After returning from the police station, she had locked herself in her room, not eating, drinking, or speaking.

No matter who knocked, she didn’t respond.

Cecilia stood in the second-floor hallway holding a bowl of freshly made oatmeal porridge, listening to the hypocritical chatter from the living room below, her heart cold as ice.

She knew Dione had completely broken down.

Her husband had died young, and she had raised Stefan alone through hardship, raising him into the Hensley family's pride.

Stefan was her everything. And now, everything might be gone.

Cecilia took a deep breath, set the oatmeal porridge on a nearby cabinet, turned around, and walked downstairs.

The noisy discussion in the living room gradually quieted down, and everyone's eyes fell on her.

"Stefan is still in there with his fate unknown, and you're all here making a scene. Do you want all of Harmony City to laugh at the Hensley family?"

Cecilia's gaze swept coldly across each person's face.

"Listen up, all of you! Stefan was framed. He'll be out soon."

"Until then, if anyone dares spread rumors outside or harbor any improper intentions, don't blame me for being rude!"

Though Cecilia looked young, standing there, she projected an aura that made all the elders present feel pressured.

The living room was quiet for a few seconds.

An aunt who was usually close to Dione, relying on her seniority, pursed her lips, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Who does she think she is? So arrogant!"

"You're just a fiancée who hasn't even been married in yet. What right do you have to boss us around? This is the Hensley family—it's not your place as an outsider to run things!"

Once someone spoke up, others immediately chimed in.

"You're not even married yet, and you're already acting as if you were the lady of the house?"

"Ms. Martinez, you can't say that! We're just concerned. Stefan is the company's CEO. Now that something's happened to him, the company has no leader, and the stock price is crashing. We need to figure out a plan, right? We can’t just watch the company collapse."

"Exactly! We're Stefan's uncles and aunts after all. What's wrong with caring about our nephew? What gives you the right to control us?"

They had long found Cecilia displeasing. Why should a girl from an ordinary family get to marry Stefan?

Now that Stefan was in trouble, they could take this opportunity to push her out.