Solana stared at him, completely lost, confusion clouding her face.
On seeing this, Wilbert shoved his phone screen right in front of her.
"You bribed the media to broadcast banners across the entire city—twenty-four hours nonstop—calling Imogen a murderer! Who else would do something this insane?! Do you know she's now so traumatized because of you that her depression has worsened? She doesn't even dare step outside!"
Solana glanced at the screen, her expression flat.
"That wasn't me." But her voice dropped sharply, and a frost settled in her eyes. "Still, every word on that banner is true. Imogen is a murderer. She deserves to pay with her life."
"Shut up!"
Wilbert's face darkened to steel. His hand lifted, ready to strike—but when he saw how pale she was, the slap halted mid-air. His gaze, however, stayed razor-cold.
"Stop spouting nonsense! Imogen didn't mean it. She's been so guilty she hasn't eaten in days! What more do you want?!"
Starving herself?
As if a skipped meal could bring her mother back.
Solana's fists tightened, disbelief flooding her.
Seeing her stay silent, Wilbert cast her a condescending glance, warning blazing in his eyes.
"You will go live right now and clarify that your mother was drunk driving. Say everything had nothing to do with Imogen."
"Or don't expect me to ever look at you again."
His tone held the self-importance of someone offering a divine favor.
"Impossible!"
She wiped her tears away, unwavering resolve blazing beneath them. "You want me to lie for her? I'd rather die."
Her reddened eyes made something inside Wilbert flinch, his fingertips curling involuntarily. But before he could process it, his assistant burst in, breathless.
"Mr. Patel! Miss Turner fainted again!"
Whatever hesitation he had instantly vanished. Chilling indifference swallowed his expression as he looked back at Solana.
"Bring the medicine. Force it down her."
Several bodyguards seized Solana by the arms. Someone grabbed a cup of unknown liquid and shoved it toward her mouth.
"Let go—hmph—!"
Pinned down and unable to fight, Solana could only watch as the liquid burned down her throat.
A searing heat exploded in her chest. Her vision blurred. A feverish wave rolled through her limbs until she could barely stay upright.
The moment her body reacted, Solana understood.
He had given her an aphrodisiac.
As her consciousness swayed, Wilbert gripped her chin, towering over her. "Do you admit you were wrong?"
Even trembling on the edge of collapse, Solana bit down on her lip and forced each word out.
"I... was... not... wrong..."
His patience snapped. Darkness churned in his eyes.
"Very well." His voice turned glacial as he clapped toward the doorway. "Let's see how long you can keep that mouth of yours."
Dozens of filthy vagrants flooded into the room, their eyes crawling over her like greed-soaked fingers.
"What a beauty... skin so soft and pale... You must taste amazing."
"Don't worry, sweetheart. We'll make you feel real good."
As their faces closed in, Solana's heart lurched. She shrank back, trembling. "Get away... don't come near me... don't touch me..."
But the drug surged through her, tearing at her mind. Against her will, her fingers clawed at her own clothes. Painful little sounds slipped from her throat.
This should've been exactly the scene Wilbert wanted—yet something sharp and ugly twisted in his chest at the sight.
He fought the urge to stop everything. His gaze dropped to her like a cold verdict.
"As long as you go live and clear Imogen's name, I'll stop this immediately."
He paused, voice dropping into a threat. "Otherwise, once the drug fully kicks in, your little scandal with these vagrants will dominate every major headline by tomorrow. And your Scott family—well, you know very well what that would do to them."
Each word struck her heart like a hammer, sending pain ricocheting through her chest.
Solana dug her nails deep into her palm, her gaze locking onto him. Then suddenly—she laughed.
Tears spilled down her face, but her laughter was jagged, hysterical.
So this was the man she once loved enough to give up everything for.
So despicable. So vile.
To protect the woman who killed her mother, he would sacrifice her dignity—her entire family's name.
Her lips curled into a scathing smile as she wiped her tears away.
And while Wilbert turned—Solana used every shred of remaining strength.
She lunged and snatched the dagger from a bodyguard's belt—and plunged it straight into her own chest.
