Dad's expression turned cold.
He faced the camera, his tone measured but severe:
"She's perfectly fine."
"Not only is she fine, but during the entire operation, she repeatedly interfered with police work."
"Flooding the emergency hotline. Feeding them false information."
"She nearly caused a serious incident."
Mom added, disappointment barely contained in her voice:
"That kind of behavior is utterly irresponsible."
"Even though she's our daughter, we won't shield her. We intend to pursue legal action."
"If she deserves a sentence, she'll get one. If she belongs in prison, that's where she'll go."
The moment she finished, the comment section exploded.
Emotions caught fire instantly.
Some praised my parents for their integrity—putting justice above family.
Others called me subhuman.
Within minutes, my name, photos, and personal details were dug up and spread everywhere.
Someone photoshopped an old picture of me into a black-and-white memorial portrait, streaked with fake blood.
Curses flooded in. Countless people vowed to hunt down this "waste of oxygen" and teach me a lesson.
"Someone like Gertrude Fox deserves to die. What a shame—if only she'd been the one the killer got."
Adela waved her hands frantically at the camera:
"Everyone, please don't do this..."
She turned to our parents, eyes glistening:
"This is all my fault..."
But Dad's expression stayed frozen.
"How could any of this be your fault? The internet's right."
"If she hadn't been calling nonstop, jamming the hotline, maybe we would've received useful leads sooner. Maybe we'd have caught him by now."
"Having a daughter like her—might as well consider her dead."
I listened to Dad's words and smiled bitterly.
"Dad, you don't have to be angry anymore. I'm already dead."
The words had barely left his mouth.
A side door of the press hall burst open, and a medical examiner stumbled in.
His face was ashen, forehead slick with sweat, voice shaking:
"Mr. Fox... a septic tank in Southside—they just pulled out body parts. Female."
"The victim... appears to be your daughter. Gertrude Fox."
