Chapter 91
Emily Windsor's POV
What was Lily really after? She'd taken the phone, and now she had me trapped here. Could it be that...
A terrifying thought surfaced, but I forced it back down.
No. She was Luke's sister. Like me, she wanted revenge for Luke.
Just as my mind spiraled into chaos, I heard two young nurses outside the door speaking in hushed, urgent whispers.
"Did you hear? Victor Family held an emergency press conference today. Oh my God, it's absolutely explosive!"
"How could I not know? It's all over New York! Who would've thought the new CEO of Victor Family was actually some kind of cold-blooded killer..."
"Right? I heard he murdered an entire yacht full of people out on international waters. Even the FBI issued a global warrant for him! His own sister Lily came forward, announced she was cutting all ties with him, expelled him from Victor Family—talk about sacrificing family for justice."
"High society runs deep. They look so polished on the surface, but behind the scenes..."
The rest of their conversation faded into static.
Wanted criminal? Murderous monster? Sacrificing family for justice?
Each word struck my temples like a sledgehammer, making my head spin until I could barely stand.
I yanked the door open. The two nurses jumped back, startled by my deathly pale face and bloodshot eyes.
"Your phone. Let me borrow it." My voice came out in a hoarse rasp as I extended my hand toward one of them.
The nurse froze, uncertain. I couldn't wait. I snatched the phone from her grasp.
The screen was still open to a live news page. The headlines blazed in bold black typeface, each one a death sentence burning into my retinas.
Victor Group Heir Luke Wanted for Cross-Border Mass Murder, FBI Issues Global Warrant!
Victor Family Holds Emergency Press Conference, Severs All Ties with Killer Luke!
My hands trembled as I clicked the video. On screen, Lily stood in a sleek black suit beneath blazing spotlights, flanked by every Victor Family elder.
Gone was the grief I'd seen on her face days ago. Now her beautiful features were set in cold, ruthless determination.
"Regarding the heinous crimes committed by my brother Luke, Victor Family is shocked and deeply pained." Her voice transmitted through the phone's speaker, crystal clear and utterly devoid of warmth. "Effective immediately, Victor Family severs all ties with Luke. He is no longer part of our family. His actions have nothing to do with Victor Group. We will cooperate fully with authorities and will not shield any criminal!"
My world shattered.
I stumbled back to my room, frantically dialing Lily's number. All I got was that cold, impersonal busy signal.
"I need to see Lily!" I charged to the door, screaming at the two expressionless bodyguards. "Now! Right now! Take me to her!"
One of them didn't even lift his eyelids. His tone remained flat, mechanical: "Miss Windsor, you need to rest."
In that instant, I finally understood everything.
I stopped arguing with those human statues. I simply walked back inside, calm and purposeful.
I went to the window and pushed it open.
Cold wind rushed in, whipping my thin hospital gown until it snapped like a flag.
This was the sixteenth floor. From here, the people and cars on the ground looked as small as ants.
Behind me, I heard the bodyguards' footsteps quicken with alarm.
"Miss Windsor, that's dangerous!"
I didn't turn around. I simply swung one leg over the windowsill, leaning half my body out into the void.
The wind grew fiercer, like countless icy hands trying to drag me into the abyss.
"Don't come any closer." My voice was fragmented by the wind but eerily calm. "Bring Lily to me. Otherwise, I jump."
I was betting my life that she wouldn't dare let her "key witness" die just like that.
The two bodyguards clearly hadn't expected this move. They panicked instantly.
They didn't dare approach, could only plead anxiously from several steps away.
I ignored them, maintaining that dangerous position with almost numb detachment.
The standoff lasted less than five minutes before they gave in.
One pulled out his phone, reporting urgently to someone.
Ten minutes later, the door slammed open.
Lily stormed in on four-inch heels, looking every inch the corporate power player.
She still wore that impeccably tailored black suit, her makeup flawless, her gaze sharp. There was no trace of grief—only the irritation of someone whose plans had been disrupted.
When she saw me perched on the windowsill, her brow furrowed sharply. Her tone was ice. "Emily, are you done with this tantrum?"
Slowly, I pulled my leg back from the ledge. I turned, closed the window against the howling wind.
The room fell into deathly silence.
I walked toward her, step by deliberate step, lifting my bloodshot eyes to lock onto hers. "That phone," I said, each word deliberate. "Why didn't you turn it over to the authorities?"
Lily's gaze flickered for just an instant before recovering its cold composure. "What are you talking about? What phone?"
"How long are you going to keep lying!" I lost all control, screaming at her. "The video that crew member recorded before he died! The only evidence that can prove Luke's innocence! The only thing that can send Lawrence to hell!"
"Emily, calm down." She tried to use that authoritative tone to suppress me. "You've been through tremendous trauma. You're mentally unstable. Stop making a scene."
Making a scene?
My fight to clear Luke's name was nothing but a childish scene to his own sister?
I was shaking with rage, chest heaving so violently I could barely breathe.
I grabbed her arm, my nails digging so deep into her flesh they nearly drew blood. My voice trembled uncontrollably. "Where's the evidence? Give it back to me!"
Lily's expression finally changed. Seeing the near-madness in my eyes, she realized lies wouldn't work anymore.
"It's gone," she said, meeting my gaze with brutal coldness.
"What do you mean 'gone'?" My heart skipped a beat. My mind went blank.
"Exactly what I said." She lifted her hand, methodically prying my fingers off her arm one by one. Those beautiful eyes held no warmth whatsoever. "I destroyed it."
The world collapsed around me in a thunderous roar.
I stared at her in disbelief. The blood in my veins seemed to freeze instantly, then reverse course in a mad rush back toward my heart, the pain nearly doubling me over.
"Why?" I forced the word out with every ounce of strength I had left, each syllable flecked with blood. "Lily, why would you do this? He's your own brother!"
I lunged at her again, hands locking onto her collar, shaking her with hysterical fury, like a cornered beast with nowhere left to run.