Bethany froze.
âMom! Save me, Mom! Mom!â
As the police took her daughter away, the last thing on Shannonâs mind was keeping up with
appearances. She went up to stop the law enforcement.
âMy daughter was framed. Donât you know how to do your job? Why are you arresting an innocent
civilian?â
Ryan watched coldly as Shannon and Bethany stirred up drama. He hoped the police officers would
make the arrest swift before he had to listen to more of their nonsense.
âWe can charge you for obstruction of justice if you donât let go, Mrs. Salvador.â The police officers
were indifferent to Shannon.
âSir, my daughter was framed. Zoe Hoffman set her up!â Shocked and furious, Shannon glared at Zoe.
âW-What does it have to do with me? Even if I forged a necklace, I could just pay a fine for the violation
of copyrights. I didnât leak any trade secrets. It was your daughter who thought she could take on Bella.
She got what she deserved.â It then struck Zoe what she just said, so she covered her mouth.
Oh, shit. She spilled the beans on herself in a desperate attempt to disassociate herself from Bethany.
She felt a piercing gaze on her back.
Turning around, Zoe met Ryanâs eyes. His gaze was filled with anger, shock, dejection, and
disappointment.
âYour sister isnât as innocent as you think she is, Ryan. Sheâs manipulative. She tricked me and you.â
Bethanyâs heart-wrenching cries echoed in the Hoffmansâ residence.â
Zoe, I canât believe you made me a pawn and a scapegoat! I will make you pay! Just you wait!â
âCome here, Zoe.â Scared by Shannon and Bethany, Mrs. Hoffman nervously beckoned Zoe over.
âMommy!â
Still reeling in shock, Zoe moved toward her mother when Ryan grabbed her by the wrist.
âR-Ryan.â She shivered.
âWhy did you do it, Zoe? Was it to take revenge on Bella?â Ryan asked with bloodshot eyes.
âBethany made it all up.â
âDonât play stubborn with me.â
Ryan yelled while gripping his fingers tightly. Zoe whimpered in pain. â Ow⦠Let go, Ryan. Youâre
hurting me. Help me, Mommy!â
âLet her go now, Ryan! Are you trying to break your sisterâs hand?â
Mrs. Hoffman rushed over in dismay and pried open Ryanâs grasp over her daughter. She pulled Zoe
into her arms to shield her. âJust talk it out.â
âTalk it out? I gave her a chance to talk, but what did she do?â
Consumed by rage, Ryan glared at Zoeâs tearful eyes. She looked like an innocent angel.
The heartache coursed through his veins. âShe lied many times to cover up the things she did. She
colluded with Bethany to set Bella up.
âWhat did Bella ever do to you? Why must you ruin her? Is it because she is Justinâs ex-wife? Is that a
reason to harm her?â
âEnough, Ryan! You grew up with Zoe. You should know better than anyone else that she doesnât have
the heart to harm another soul.
Mrs. Hoffman patted her daughterâs spasming back in comfort. âEven if Zoe went astray, the girl,
Bethany, was a bad influence on her. Why are you dragging your sister into this? If word gets out, she
might be taken in for questioning.â
âShe took the private jet abroad before Bethany and Ada signed a contract. I asked her where she was
going, and she said that she wanted to see a fashion show in Feranco. I told Yasmin to look into it, but
you never went to Feranco. You went to Inalia. If you had nothing to hide, why did you lie about where
you were going?â
Ryanâs voice was hoarse. His veins showed on his forehead. âWhen Bethany was taken away, you
admitted to forging the jewelry. What do you have to say for yourself? Dad is probably rolling in his
grave, realizing that his precious daughter has become conniving.â
âRyan! How could you insult your sister?â Mrs. Hoffman was filled with mixed feelings, thinking about
her late husband. Her eyes welled up.
âYouâre a bastard, Ryan!â
Zoe was insulted and furious. All the pent-up emotions came to a head as she burst into tears. âBella
kept making me look bad in front of Justin. She embarrassed me in public. Whatâs wrong with teaching
her a lesson? You are hypocritical to reprimand me when all youâre doing is standing up for Bella. You
only have eyes for the slut. Iâm dead to you.â