Chapter 345

Chapter 345

Seeing the police arrive, Paula immediately let out a cry, clutching her face as if struck.

Terrified that Paula might be hurt, I rushed to her side when I saw her suddenly covering her face. "Paula, are you okay? Are you hurt?" I asked urgently.

I gently pulled her hands away from her face to check for injuries, worried she might have been disfigured.

That's when Paula, out of sight from the others, gave me a subtle wink.

The area of her face she'd been covering showed no visible injury.

I immediately caught on to Paula's plan. I carefully touched her cheek where Bobby had barely grazed her, exclaiming with concern, "Look how badly you're hurt! He hit you with full force—your face is already swelling."

I knew Paula had sensitive skin. The slightest pressure would leave a red mark, making it look like she'd been struck.

So while "examining" her face, I lightly rubbed her cheek. Within seconds, her previously unmarked skin showed visible redness.

"Officer, you need to help us," I pleaded. "This thug attacked two defenseless women. Look at my friend's face—he struck her with brutal force."

I moved my hand away, pointing at Paula's reddened cheek with genuine-looking concern.

Paula gazed tearfully at the police officer. "It hurts so much, sir. Will my face be permanently damaged? Bobby hit me so hard. You must arrest him—I suspect he has violent tendencies and should be locked up. He's probably done this before."

Bobby panicked.

Paula had touched on the truth—he did have a record and had visited the police station several times, though his family had always managed to resolve the issues. Now he feared Paula might reveal more.

He struggled to stand, protesting, "I never touched her! She's lying! Officer, don't believe this woman—she's just acting!"

"Stay still and calm down!" the officer commanded.

The situation remained unclear, but Bobby's behavior appeared threatening and dangerous. In contrast, Paula and I looked completely harmless.

Seeing Bobby's frustration, Paula secretly taunted him with her eyes.

Already angry and restrained by the police, Bobby lost his composure when he saw Paula's act. "You're asking for it! Her injury is fake! I'm the one who was attacked! Check the security footage—she hit me first! I never touched her face. This time, I'm making sure she goes to jail."

Paula looked innocently at the officer. "Sir, you can see how unstable he is. He nearly killed us earlier. If I did hit him, it was self-defense. Now he's threatening me again. I fear for my life, and my face..."

She turned to show the officer her increasingly red cheek, seeking justice.

Paula's smooth skin made even the slightest redness stand out dramatically. The officer frowned at the sight.

"Control yourself and stop moving," he warned Bobby. "You claim you didn't hit her, so how did her face get injured? Do you think a beautiful young woman would damage her own face just to frame you? That makes no sense."

Besides, the officer had seen Bobby lunge toward Paula.

Bobby wanted to curse but maintained enough self-control to suggest checking the security footage.

Unfortunately, the cameras were undergoing maintenance. There was no way to determine who struck first when Bobby was hit.

Bobby fumed with frustration.

"Find witnesses—people saw her hit me," Bobby insisted.

Unfortunately, bystanders had kept their distance out of fear for their safety.

When questioned, none could provide definitive answers.

"Officer, I want to file another complaint," Paula continued, seeing the officer was leaning toward our side. "He blocked my friend's path and harassed her with inappropriate comments. This isn't the first time he's harassed her either."

"That's bullshit! I never harassed anyone—I just gave her some gifts..." Bobby protested.

Paula scoffed. "You admit it wasn't harassment? Who wants your gifts? You have no connection to my friend—why would you give her anything?"

Bobby glared at Paula. "Your friend is attractive. What's wrong with giving gifts to show appreciation?"

"For a single person, within reason, maybe that's acceptable. But a man with a fiancée sending gifts to a beautiful stranger? If that's not harassment, what is?"

"You..." Bobby was speechless.

Still, he refused to admit striking Paula, insisting she had attacked him first.

Paula stood her ground, refusing to back down.

Seeing no path to resolution, the officer prepared to take statements.

Bobby, realizing the officer wasn't siding with him, snapped, "I won't answer any more questions until my lawyer arrives."

We were all taken to the police station for questioning.

Bobby went first.

"No witnesses can confirm she struck first," the officer noted. "And it's hard to believe two young women would initiate an attack against a man your size."

The officer advised Bobby not to lie.

Bobby was furious. "If I'd really wanted to hurt them, would they be unharmed when you arrived? Paula is a liar."

"Why would a young woman risk permanent facial damage just to frame you?" the officer countered.

Clearly, Bobby couldn't prove his innocence.

Paula and I watched from outside, seeing Bobby's defeat.

I finally understood why Paula hadn't let me protect her earlier—she had deliberately provoked Bobby, allowing his hand to strike her face.

I couldn't help but look at Paula with admiration, as if she were glowing with brilliance.

Paula noticed my intense gaze and teased with a smile, "Don't look at me like that. Those eyes of yours could charm anyone—man or woman."

I averted my gaze and teased, "I can't help it—you're just that good. I can't not be impressed. "

"Try not to fall for me," Paula said confidently, flipping her hair with natural charm.

The gesture wasn't awkward at all—it was captivating.

We exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

Just then, Bobby suddenly shouted, "Wait! I have another witness!"

My heart sank.

I immediately guessed who Bobby's witness might be.