Third Person's POV
"I know. If she were the real culprit, Richard wouldn't have kidnapped you to force her to confess. She is guilty, but not enough to deserve death. Don't worry. Blake and I are already aware of this. We won't let your mother take the fall while the real killer remains free," Leo said.
His words brought slight relief to Sunny.
"I'm truly sorry. I don't know how to face you now," Sunny said, overwhelmed with guilt. She felt unworthy of Leo's love, being the daughter of a sinner who should atone for her mother's crimes.
Leo's eyes darkened, but his hold on her didn't waver. His voice, however, turned colder. "Let's not talk about this now. Let's go home first. Your hands are injured and need treatment."
Warmth surged through Sunny. At this moment, she felt utterly helpless and anxious, yet Leo didn't scold or abandon her. Gratitude and emotion filled her heart.
Olivia had indeed turned herself in at the police station. Shortly after, Blake received the call and headed straight to the station to handle the situation.
Olivia was detained, her statement recorded, and she awaited trial. However, Blake used his connections to delay the proceedings, preventing immediate sentencing. She remained in custody.
Blake also requested the police to keep the matter under wraps temporarily. Given Emerson's fragile health and the need to shield the family from shock, the authorities cooperated and didn't make the arrest public.
Richard spread the news that Olivia had confessed and was in jail awaiting trial.
"The real culprit has confessed; this case can't be linked to me," he said smugly.
He believed his actions were flawless and that his life could continue undisturbed as long as he stayed clear of the further crime.
Emily followed Richard out and noticed his car parked on a street.
She stepped out quietly, disguised with a hat, and saw him enter a door.
She quickly hid in a nearby shop, pretending to browse.
Soon, Richard emerged with several people.
Among them was a girl with a blindfold, hurriedly pushed into a sedan.
Emily had her phone ready and secretly recorded Richard and his group.
Though unsure of the video's significance, she vowed to document every aspect of Richard's actions from now on.
She'd make Richard regret his actions in her own way.
She captured the car's license plate and a conversation between Richard and a woman.
After the vehicles left, she saved the recording.
Reviewing it, she deduced Richard was up to no good again. The blindfolded girl was likely another victim.
Emily's heart grew cold, her blood seeming to freeze.
Once, she saw Richard as just an ambitious man, more eager and ruthless than others.
In her eyes, he was a visionary, a strong figure worth following.
Now, she felt disillusioned.
The man she had followed was not the visionary she had thought him to be, but a ruthless and inhumane villain.
Emily clutched her phone tightly and hailed a taxi to leave.
Leo took Sunny home.
Upon examination, they found injuries not only on her wrists but also strangulation scars on her legs, some bleeding, and a swollen spot on her chest—evidently from brutal kicks.
"Those bastards hit you, didn't they?" Leo's face turned livid with rage, his hands clenching tightly.
Sunny shook her head. "Don't be angry. It doesn't hurt anymore."
"I'll make them pay double if I get my hands on them!" Leo was beside himself with anger and heartache.
Sunny stared at his pained expression, momentarily stunned.
Was it her imagination?
Was Leo not immediately condemn her identity but instead showing concern?
Regardless of whether it was a dream, Sunny felt indescribable gratitude and emotion.
She felt willing to do anything for this man, even die for him.
"Bear with the pain," Leo warned, thinking her daze was due to numbness from the hurt.
"Okay." Sunny nodded. When the disinfectant touched her wounds, she hissed in pain but endured it as best as she could.
"I'll find those bastards and make sure they suffer the same way they made you. You have my word," Leo said, unable to tolerate the injustice any longer.