Chapter 7 The police arrived quickly and dispersed the crowd . " What the hell is going on here ? You think this is a street gang ? Beating someone in broad daylight ? " The moment they saw the officers , the crowd fell silent . My father and I stood covered in blood . " Officers , it's not our fault - she ruined our company's investment deal . We lost everything because of her ! " " Exactly ! She deserves worse than a beating ! " The officers looked from their furious faces to our injured ones . " No reason justifies assault . What , you think there are no laws anymore ? " Madeline stepped forward and tugged on the officer's sleeve . " Officer , please don't blame them . The company meant everything to us , and Sloane deliberately sabotaged the investment . Everyone just got a little emotional . " The officer yanked his arm back and snapped , " Stand straight and speak properly . You beat someone to this extent - if the medical report confirms serious injury , you're all looking at jail time . " Panic flickered across their faces . " It's not that serious … Sloane's an old friend . We were just worked up . It was … playing around . " " Yeah , just a misunderstanding ! " Blood from my father's head dripped onto my clothes . My chest ached with fury . After countless sleepless nights and endless hustle to win projects , this was the thanks I got betrayed by a bunch of ungrateful assholes . I glared at them , my voice cold . " Officer , I'd like to press charges . " Gavin immediately stepped forward , lowering his voice . " Sloane , enough is enough . We've known each other for years . Don't make this ugly . " Where was this talk of friendship when they locked me up and beat me ? I shoved him off and stared him down . " Get lost . I'm not just pressing charges - I want to see you behind bars . ' " Gavin , you didn't just hurt me - you hurt my mother . I won't forgive you ! " His face visibly changed at my public outburst . " What are you even saying ? When did I ever hurt your mother ? She showed up acting crazy and dragged us into it . " " If you keep this up , I'm calling off the wedding ! " Madeline sneered , chiming in , " Honestly , Sloane , you and your mom love playing the victim . Like mother , like daughter . " I was shaking with rage , eyes burning holes through them . " There's nothing between us anymore , Gavin . You both will get what's coming . " Out of nowhere , Gavin's mother rushed over , grabbing my father's arm with a fake smile . Chapter 7 CallApp Google Play INSTALL 7.29 % " Come on now , she's a grown woman - still acting like a spoiled child . You need to talk some sense into her . " But my father , for once , didn't back down . He turned coldly to her . " Whatever decision Sloane makes , her mother and I will support her unconditionally . Frankly , we don't think that wedding should happen either . " Gavin's mother froze , stunned by the sudden change in his tone . My throat tightened . The memories from my past life rushed back . I had been burned alive , and my mother had died of a heart attack alone at home . My father looked like he'd aged ten years overnight , the grief etched deep into his face . He couldn't understand why everything went so wrong . He had gone to confront Gavin , only to be mocked by Gavin's mother , who'd told him Gavin had only proposed to me out of guilt . That he should have some dignity and stop clinging to their family . Chapter 7