"Officer, don’t listen to this woman." Olivia stepped forward, her voice firm and unwavering. "I’m telling you, no one from the Emerson family is coming to save them."

To Olivia, Nora’s confidence had never been anything more than a desperate bluff. She had spent the entire time acting as though the Emersons would appear at any second and silence everyone. Now that the police had arrived and reality had finally caught up with her, Olivia had no intention of letting her continue the charade.

She turned toward the officer.

"Please detain her and charge her with attempted murder."

Nora’s face instantly drained of color.

"Mom..." she whispered, instinctively looking at Florine.

Florine, however, forced herself to remain composed despite the panic creeping into her heart.

"Just wait," she said, lifting her chin. "Mr. Emerson is already on his way."

Olivia nearly laughed.

"Still living in your fantasy?"

"You’ll find out soon enough," Florine replied confidently.

The room fell into an uneasy silence.

Even the officers exchanged glances.

If the Emerson family truly became involved, the case would undoubtedly become more complicated. After all, everyone in the city knew the influence the Emersons possessed.

Then—

Footsteps echoed through the corridor.

Everyone instinctively turned toward the entrance.

A tall man in a perfectly tailored black suit walked inside with calm, measured steps. His sharp features carried the professionalism expected of someone who worked beside the city’s most powerful businessman.

The moment the officers recognized him, they immediately straightened.

"Mr. Taylor."

Taylor gave a polite nod.

"Officer."

The respect in the officer’s voice instantly caught everyone’s attention.

Whispers spread across the room.

"That’s Mr. Emerson’s personal assistant."

"I’ve seen him at business conferences."

"If he’s here... does that mean Mr. Emerson is outside?"

Florine’s eyes lit up.

"I knew it."

She hurriedly looked behind Taylor, expecting Xander Emerson himself to walk through the door.

One second...

Two seconds...

No one appeared.

The hallway behind Taylor remained completely empty.

Florine frowned.

"Mr. Emerson... isn’t here?"

Taylor calmly met her gaze.

"I’m afraid you’ve misunderstood something, Mrs. Ford."

The smile on Florine’s face froze.

"What do you mean?"

Taylor clasped his hands in front of him.

"Mr. Emerson has no intention of interfering with the police investigation."

Silence.

Nora’s expression stiffened.

Florine forced a laugh.

"There must be some mistake. Nora is practically family to the Emersons."

Taylor’s face remained unreadable.

"The Emerson family recognizes the Ford family as long-standing business acquaintances."

His pause was deliberate.

"But acquaintances should not be mistaken for privileges."

The words landed like a slap across Florine’s face.

Taylor continued in the same calm tone.

"The Emerson family has never believed that friendships, business relationships, or social standing place anyone above the law."

The room became deathly quiet.

Olivia folded her arms, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Taylor looked toward the officer.

"Mr. Emerson asked me to convey a message."

The officer nodded respectfully.

"Go ahead, sir."

Taylor’s gaze briefly swept over Nora and Florine before returning to the officer.

"’If the investigation establishes that the suspect is guilty, proceed according to the law. No one should expect special treatment in the Emerson family’s name.’"

Every word echoed through the room.

Nora’s breathing became uneven.

Florine’s confident expression completely disappeared.

Taylor continued.

"Mr. Emerson also instructed me to make one point absolutely clear."

He looked directly at Florine.

"The Emerson family will neither obstruct the investigation nor request leniency for anyone involved."

Florine’s lips trembled.

"But... Nora is close to—"

Taylor interrupted politely.

"Mrs. Ford."

His voice never rose.

"Mr. Emerson values integrity above personal relationships."

"If Miss Ford has committed no crime, the investigation will prove her innocence."

"But if evidence establishes otherwise..."

His expression hardened ever so slightly.

"...then she will face the consequences like every other citizen."

The room fell into another heavy silence.

Even the officers couldn’t hide their admiration.

That was precisely why the Emerson family enjoyed such respect.

They possessed immense power, yet they never publicly abused it.

Olivia couldn’t help letting out a quiet chuckle.

"Well."

She looked directly at Nora.

"I suppose your savior isn’t coming after all."

Nora bit her lower lip so hard it nearly bled.

"This... this can’t be happening..."

Florine hurried toward Taylor.

"Mr. Taylor, there has to be some misunderstanding. Why don’t you call Mr. Emerson? Nora only wanted to—"

Taylor raised a hand, stopping her before she could continue.

"There is no misunderstanding."

His tone remained courteous, yet carried unmistakable authority.

"Mr. Emerson was fully informed of today’s incident before I arrived."

Florine froze.

"He knows... everything?"

"He does."

"And despite that..."

Taylor nodded once.

"His decision remains unchanged."

He looked toward the investigating officer.

"The Emerson family trusts the police to conduct a fair and lawful investigation."

His eyes sharpened almost imperceptibly.

"We are confident the officers here will reach a conclusion based solely on evidence."

The officer immediately responded.

"You have my word, Mr. Taylor."

Taylor inclined his head.

"That is all Mr. Emerson wished to convey."

Without another glance at Nora or Florine, he stepped aside, signaling that the Emerson family’s position had been made perfectly clear.

There would be no pressure.

No interference.

No abuse of influence.

And certainly no one hiding behind the Emerson name to escape justice.

For the first time since the officers had arrived, Florine truly understood the situation.

The Emerson family had acknowledged the Fords.

But that acknowledgment ended at business and courtesy.

When it came to the law, they were no different from anyone else.

Nora’s legs weakened.

The last hope she had been desperately clinging to shattered completely as the reality finally sank in.

Today, she would have to answer for her actions on her own.

***

A suffocating silence settled over the room.

Nora stood rooted to the spot, her fingers trembling uncontrollably. She had never imagined things would reach this point. All this time, she had believed that as long as the Emerson name was brought up, everyone would hesitate.

Instead, it had become the very reason no one dared bend the rules.

The officer looked at the file in his hand before turning toward Nora.

"Miss Ford."

She looked up with reddened eyes.

"You are being detained on suspicion of attempted murder. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say may be included in the investigation."

The words echoed like a death sentence.

"No..."

Nora instinctively stepped back.

"I didn’t do anything. I only wanted to scare her. I never wanted to kill anyone."

But despite her objection, she was still dragged away by the constable.