Chapter 9 

“How did I end up with such a vicious, poisonous friend like you?!” Lianna’s voice cracked with hysteria. 

Every word dripped with blood, every cry soaked in tears. 

Her face contorted with grief, as though the heavens themselves had wronged her. 

At her side, Francis’s lips curled ever so slightly. 

A fleeting, smug smile. 

A silent understanding passed between them-two conspirators savoring their staged triumph. 

I underestimated Lianna. 

But thinking back, it all made sense. 

When Hubert dragged me to the gates of the neighborhood earlier, forcing a scene before the streamers and their live audiences, our drama had instantly flooded the trending charts. 

There was no doubt Lianna and Francis had seen the broadcast. 

That gave her time to prepare-to forge a hospital admission slip and, before a sea of witnesses, dump her bucket of filth squarely on me. 

And under her heart-wrenching performance, the tide turned completely. 

The crowd’s eyes shifted, sharp with contempt and disgust. 

The live chat exploded. 

“Unbelievable-how can anyone be this malicious?!” 

“She almost killed her best friend and the baby, and now she dares to smear her reputation on top of it?!” 

“I was this close to believing her earlier-I almost blamed the wrong person!” 

“Me too. Scary to think about. If she’d really fooled us, Lianna’s entire life would’ve been ruined!” 

“I feel sick. I’ve never seen someone so vile. Can she just drop dead already?” 

Hubert’s expression twisted with pain as he saw Lianna gasping between sobs. 

He immediately stepped forward, pulling her trembling body into his arms. 

“Lianna, don’t cry,” he murmured softly. “I promise you-I’ll make this right.” 

Then his eyes snapped at me, sharp as blades. 

“Celestine, what else do you have to say for yourself?” 

“I told you before-if it’s proven that Lianna’s miscarriage was your doing, I’ll make you regret ever being born.” 

He clenched his fists. 

“Now, it’s time I kept that promise. Take her! Arrest her!” 

At his command, several bodyguards rushed toward me. 

No chance to explain. 

No chance to resist. 

But just then-the door burst open. 

A squad of police officers stormed the room. 

Their leader’s voice rang out, cold and authoritative. 

< F 8 F 

“Hubert Ferguson! We received a report-you are under suspicion of illegal trespassing, property damage, kidnapping, and assault. You are required to come with us for questioning.” 

The balance shattered instantly. 

The man who moments ago held absolute control had now became the one in handcuffs. 

And I, the woman he was about to drag away, became the very person under police protection. 

Hubert’s face darkened, resembling the color of storm clouds. 

He glared at me, fury burning in his bloodshot eyes. 

“You bitch! You dared to set me up?” 

I met his gaze with a calm, indifferent expression, saying nothing. 

Yes, I had been given a second chance in life. But that didn’t mean every detail would unfold as I remembered. 

So, to protect myself, I took precautions. 

On the way to the hospital, I had already called the police. And I’d handed over the surveillance footage from my home-every second of Hubert’s unlawful break-in, his destruction of property, his violence, his attempt at abduction. 

The evidence was irrefutable, enough to bring him down. 

Under the eyes of a stunned crowd, both Hubert and I were escorted to the police station. 

There, the interrogation began. 

One by one, the officers laid out his crimes. 

And though Hubert could not deny a single charge-he sat rigid, jaw clenched, teeth grinding, natred burning in his eyes as he stared at me.