Chapter 19 Three days later , the news exploded . " Porter Heir Imprisons Woman . " It shot straight to the top of the global headlines . Dr. Willow froze in place , staring wide - eyed at the newspaper in his hands . He couldn't believe what he was seeing . There , in the photo , was Maxwell being escorted away by police . His face was devoid of remorse , completely unrepentant . But what caught Dr. Willow's attention wasn't just the blank expression - it was the small object clutched tightly in Maxwell's hand . A handmade ring . The one Zoey had given him . Dr. Willow closed his eyes , letting out a heavy breath . He never imagined it would come to this . Inside the interrogation room , facing a crowd of officers and the suffocating glare of the media , Maxwell sat there , stone- faced . " I have nothing to say , " he replied flatly . Meanwhile , the world was reeling . Footage from inside the house showed Nancy - her face pale , her hair disheveled - being rescued , her expression trembling between terror and overwhelming relief . The public went into an uproar . No one could believe it . This was Maxwell Porter , the man who once loved Zoey Bradford so much it seemed embedded into his bones . No one could reconcile that image with the man now behind bars . And even more unbelievable - he had imprisoned his own mistress . Nancy was rushed to the hospital . As she watched the news coverage , a smile tugged at the corners of her lips . Her escape hadn't been just about running . She'd known from the start she wouldn't get far . But that wasn't the point . She had timed it perfectly , just long enough to send everything to the press . Photos , Videos . Recordings . Evidence . She'd scattered it like seeds across every gossip site , every tabloid . Her goal was never freedom . It was humiliation . She wanted the Porter family's name dragged through the mud , ruined beyond repair . Maxwell confessed outright . No arguments . No defense . Sitting across from his lawyer , Nancy laughed like she'd already won . " I don't want any money , " she said , lips curling smugly . " I only have one condition . He goes to prison . Otherwise ... I have plenty more evidence where that came from . " In the corner , Dr. Willow couldn't help but laugh . Nancy's face snapped toward him , instantly furious . " What the hell are you laughing at ?! " Her voice rose , shrill , hysterical . " Don't forget - you need me now ! If I get pissed off , your 1/2 Chapter 19 +25 BONUS precious Maxwell is finished ! Ruined ! " " But ... if you're smart , " she lowered her voice , eyes glinting with greed , " give me ten million and a passport out of here , and maybe ... I'll forget all about this . " She was still deep in her delusions , basking in the fantasy of victory . Dr. Willow scoffed , cutting her off mid - sentence . " You really thought you could weaponize public opinion against us , but we wouldn't use it against you ? " Her face froze . Panic surged as she scrambled for her phone , her trembling hands opening social media - only to see the headlines had flipped Her so - called evidence was officially labeled as nothing more than " mutual assault . " The doctors ' reports declared Maxwell suffering from severe psychological trauma . Every witness statement she'd collected was dismissed as nonsense - unstable ramblings without credibility . It had taken less than a night for everything she thought was her trump card to collapse . " No ... no ... no ! This can't be happening ! " She thrashed in her seat , voice cracking as she shrieked , " Let me see Maxwell ! I want to see him ! Let me see him now ! " Dr. Willow's gaze was cold . " Save it , " he said , turning to leave . " Tell it to your cellmates in prison . " Without looking back , he walked away . Maxwell staggered as he stood in front of the villa . He couldn't bring himself to open the door . His mind drifted back to when he first bought this place . Zoey had made a full dinner that night . They sat together in the living room , clinking their wine glasses , laughing . She told him - clear as day - she would become his bride . The most beautiful bride . His fingers tightened on the door handle . He pushed it open . The air inside smelled stale , heavy with dust and decay . He stepped in quietly . His voice floated through the emptiness . " Welcome home , Zoey , " he muttered to the urn he held tightly in his arms .