Completely desperate, I dragged my weak body to visit my grandfather.
In the ward, he lay alone. His oxygen mask had slipped halfway off, and no one seemed to care. My heart clenched at sight. I rushed over, hands trembling, and adjusted the mask back onto his frail face. Tears streamed down uncontrollably.
A nurse in uniform walked over, her pace slow and her expression impatient.
"Why are you making such a scene?" she snapped. "Can't you see we're busy?"
"My grandfather’s oxygen mask fell off," I said, trying hard to stay calm. "Why wasn’t anyone watching him?"
She scoffed, arms crossed. "Watching a conman? We don’t cater to scammers like him."
Her words made my entire body shake with fury. I opened my mouth to speak but couldn’t utter a word. The lump in my throat was too heavy.
“Emily…” my grandfather murmured, his voice thin and weak.
I immediately leaned in and grasped his hand. “Grandpa, how are you feeling? Is anything hurting? Do you need the doctor?”
He looked at me with a weary smile. “Don’t cry, child. Grandpa’s fine. I won’t die so easily.”
At his words, I finally broke down, sobbing as the emotions I had held back for days poured out.
He gently stroked my hair, just like he did when I was a little girl. Then he glanced around and, noticing we were alone, asked, “Where’s Daniel? Why isn’t he here?”
My tears fell harder. I choked on every word as I recounted everything—Daniel’s betrayal, the trial, the torture, the humiliation.
Grandpa's eyes grew red, but he said nothing. The pain was written all over his face.
I forced myself to sound strong. “Don’t worry, Grandpa. We live in a country governed by laws. They won’t be able to cover up the truth forever.”
“You just need to rest and heal. Lily and I are waiting for you to come home.”
Just then, my phone buzzed. It was a private investigator. He had found a new witness.
Without wasting time, I rushed to the address he gave me.
But as I arrived at the entrance of the club, a group of heavily built security guards blocked my way.
“I’m just here to meet someone,” I explained quickly. “I’m not selling anything, I promise!”
They didn’t budge. Instead, they sneered.
“Get lost!”
“This is a high-end place. You think someone like you can walk in here?”
“Please, the person I need to see is very important. Please just let me talk to him!”
I was still pleading when one of the guards suddenly pulled out a gun and pressed it against my forehead.
“Leave now. If you disturb our VIP guests, don’t blame us for getting rough!”
I froze, too terrified to breathe.
Then, a familiar voice echoed from behind them. Mocking. Cruel.
“Ah, so this is the noise that’s been bothering everyone. Turns out it’s just a stray dog barking.”
The guards immediately stepped aside and stood respectfully. “Ms. Blake.”
It was her—Vanessa. She wore a tight-fitting designer dress and stilettos, the picture of smug satisfaction. And right behind her was Daniel, holding her bag like a loyal servant.
I locked eyes with them, rage burning through my veins. “Was this your doing?”
Vanessa tilted her head, wearing a fake look of innocence. “Emily, why do you always misunderstand me?” She smirked, her voice dripping venom. “I don’t have to lift a finger to deal with someone like you. There are plenty of people who would do it for me with just a glance.”
Before I could respond, the guards grabbed my arms. One of them turned to her and said, “Should we toss her out now, Ms. Blake?”
She turned to Daniel and snapped, “Didn’t you promise me this woman would never show up in front of me again?”
He immediately lowered his voice, coaxing her until she smiled again.
Then he turned to me and slapped me, hard.
"Emily," he said coldly, "I suggest you apologize to Miss Blake right now, or things will get much worse for you."
"If you insist on being stubborn, you’ll be the only one who suffers!"
“Go home! Stop embarrassing yourself like this!”
I stood frozen, half my face stinging from the slap. My ears rang. It was only when I saw Vanessa’s satisfied smile that I realized—I hadn’t imagined it. He really did it. He hit me.
I stared at the man I once loved, the man who once vowed to protect me, and I hated him more than I ever thought possible.
“I don’t believe justice and the law don’t exist!” I shouted with what little strength I had left.
With a wave of her hand, Vanessa ordered, and the guards carried me out like trash. They flung me hard onto the pavement.
Blood dripped from my elbow. My whole body ached.
But I didn’t have time to wallow in pain.
This was my last chance—my only hope for justice for me and my grandfather.
I bit my lip, forced myself to stand, and wiped away the tears and blood from my face.
Just wait, I thought, clenching my fists.
I’m going to the police. I’ll make sure the truth comes out.
