Chapter 242

Chapter 242

When the police received the report, they headed straight to Felix's parents' house with their evidence collection equipment.

The moment the doorbell rang, Tatum was curled up on the couch, trembling.

She'd heard the sirens that morning and her face had gone pale, her lips completely drained of color.

Tatum had planned to act like nothing happened, but she never expected Felix to come back halfway.

The hatred in her eyes was practically spilling over.

Why didn't that bitch just die!

As soon as the door opened, the lead officer flashed his badge, his tone serious:

"We've received a report of a deliberate assault that occurred here. We need to review the hallway security footage, and we're asking the individual in question, Tatum, to come down to the station for questioning."

"Wait!"

Susan's voice cut through the air.

Hearing what they said, Susan's heart sank. She quickly stepped in front of Tatum.

"What assault?"

Susan pointed to the crutch leaning against the couch.

"My daughter's leg injury hasn't healed yet. She can barely walk. How could she possibly push anyone?"

"That girl obviously slipped and fell on her own. It has nothing to do with our Tatum."

The officer explained patiently:

"Someone has identified Tatum as the perpetrator. We need to review the surveillance footage to verify. Please provide the recordings from the first floor and hallway cameras."

"The cameras are broken."

Susan blurted out without thinking.

"There was a circuit malfunction a few days ago. We haven't had time to fix it yet. Nothing was recorded."

She'd already calculated everything in her mind.

The moment Susan got home, she'd seen Tatum curled up on the couch, looking off. After asking what happened, her first move was to delete all the surveillance footage and format the hard drive.

Without physical evidence, the police couldn't do anything to Tatum. At most, it would be a civil dispute. Pay some money and be done with it.

Tatum was still a child. Even if she'd done something wrong, she couldn't be made to suffer for it.

Hearing this, the officers' expressions darkened:

"Ma'am, we're carrying out our lawful duties. Deliberately destroying evidence and obstructing an investigation—you're now suspected of interfering with police business. Please cooperate, or we'll have no choice but to bring you in by force."

"Bring me in by force? Who are you trying to scare?"

Susan's temper flared.

"You barge in here without even getting the facts straight to drag people away. I'd like to see anyone try to lay a finger on my daughter!"

She reached out to shove the officer's arm, trying to push them toward the door.

The lead officer stopped being polite. He nodded to his colleague behind him:

"The suspect's mother is obstructing justice and destroying evidence. Bring her in for questioning under lawful authority."

The moment the cold handcuffs clicked around her wrists, Susan was completely stunned.

What…

How did these cuffs end up on her?

"What gives you the right to arrest me! Let me go!" She struggled in shock and fury, but it was useless.

Tatum was completely frozen in terror. She watched helplessly as her mother was escorted into the police car, then collapsed onto the floor, her hands shaking as she dialed Felix's number.

Elena received the call from the police half an hour later.

On the phone, they explained what had just happened.

Due to Tatum's physical condition, it was inconvenient for her to come to the station for questioning, so they'd sent a female officer to take her statement there instead.

"Elena, we need you to come in and confirm the injury assessment materials."

"Okay, I understand."

Hanging up, Elena looked up at the light above the operating room.

Still on.

The doctor had said Jenny's condition was serious—minor intracranial bleeding, a fractured right leg, and they'd need to monitor for any lasting complications.

Jenny's grandfather was abroad attending an academic conference. Hearing his granddaughter had been hurt, he'd immediately booked a flight back to Astoria.

But he couldn't get back right away. Outside the room, only William and she were waiting.

Elena gave William a few instructions and hurried out of the hospital.

The late autumn evening wind was cold. The streetlights outside the police station glowed a dim yellow.

Elena had just reached the bottom of the steps when she saw a familiar black sedan screech to a stop at the curb.

The car door opened. Felix got out.

Their eyes met. Both froze.

Felix opened his mouth, wanting to say "I'm sorry," but the words stuck in his throat.

Saying sorry now was too light.

It wouldn't bring Jenny back to safety. It wouldn't undo the damage.

He had no face to say it. No right to say it.

They stared at each other in silence for a few seconds. Neither spoke first.

Finally, Elena looked away, stepped forward, and brushed past his shoulder without stopping or hesitating—like he was a complete stranger.

Felix stood there, watching her straight, retreating figure, his chest aching densely.

He let out a bitter laugh and followed.

The station hallway was cold and narrow. They walked one after the other, a few steps apart, but it felt like mountains and oceans between them.

……

After finishing her statement, Elena had just turned the corner when she heard a shrill voice shouting from the reception area.

"Elena! Stop right there!"

Susan had just finished her preliminary questioning. Her hair was disheveled, her face full of rage.

The moment she spotted Elena, her eyes turned red. She broke free from the officers trying to restrain her and charged over.

"Elena, what the hell did the Knight family ever do to you? Why are you hell-bent on destroying us?"

She pointed right at Elena's nose, her voice sharp and piercing.

"Back home, our family looked after you. When you came to Astoria, we took care of you every step of the way."

"And now? You turn around and stab us in the back, trying to throw my daughter in prison. How can your heart be so cold!"

People waiting around them turned to look, murmuring among themselves.

"Mom! Stop it!" Felix strode over, reaching out to pull Susan back, his brow furrowed tightly. "This was Tatum's fault from the start. It has nothing to do with Elena."

"What do you mean her fault!"

Susan yanked her hand away, her chest heaving violently.

"Did this woman brainwash you? She's about to send your sister to jail, and you're still taking her side! How did I raise such a traitor!"

After cursing Felix, she turned back to Elena, her tone softening slightly—though every word dripped with moral manipulation:

"Elena, I know you're angry, but Tatum's young. She doesn't know better. She acted on impulse and made a mistake. Her leg injury hasn't even healed yet. If she gets a criminal record, her whole life is ruined."

"Medical bills, care costs, emotional damages—we'll pay it all. Name your price. We'll give you whatever you want."

"I'm begging you, for Felix's sake, for everything the Knight family has done for you—can we settle this privately? Drop the charges, we'll pay compensation, and we'll call it even."

As she spoke, her knees began to bend slightly, as if she were about to kneel:

"If that's still not enough, I'll kneel and apologize to you. Is that good enough?"

Elena stood there, watching Susan's performance, unsure what to feel.

Why?

Jenny was lying in a hospital bed right now, life and death uncertain. She might be left with permanent disabilities.

Why should Tatum get away with it just because she's "young and doesn't know better"?

Elena stepped back half a step, avoiding Susan's "kneeling" gesture, her tone calm but unwavering:

"Mrs. Knight, you can save the theatrics."