"That reporter, at the police station." Yuri''s face was stormy with anger. "Dare toy a hand on my daughter, she won''t have to worry about her career, she''ll be lucky to live." "You shouldn''t get involved in this."


    Isaac shook his head. "The Lte family is under too much scrutiny right now. If we''re caught ying dirty, it could spell trouble for you and the family name." "But she''s my daughter-"


    "I''ll handle this." Isaac''s handsome face darkened. "I''m not afraid of the crown, and I''m not afraid of being targeted. It''s better if I step in."


    "Dad, just take care of Bri. Leave the rest to me."


    Yuri watched him, silent for a long moment before nodding. "Alright."


    Leaving the hospital, Isaac headed straight to the police station, but instead of going in, he arranged for Mabel''s release.


    Mabel thought the Citizen''s Gazette had intervened on her behalf. Completing the paperwork, she looked at the officer with pride. "I told you, the Lte family wouldn''t dare touch me!" Who dares defy thew in a society governed by it?


    The officer gave Mabel a meaningful look. "Better leave now."


    Grasping her camera, Mabel said, "Tell Brittany, my camera wasn''t cheap. I expectpensation, or I''ll sue!"


    The officer...? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    The bodyguard responsible for her release...


    Leaving the police station, Mabel lifted her chin, asking the bodyguard, "Did the editor send you?"


    "Just follow me."


    The bodyguard gestured for Mabel to keep up.


    Puffed up with pride, Mabel didn''t expect that as soon as she got into the car, hands pressed her down and a foot stomped on her face!


    A handsome face came into view. "You dared to touch Ms. Lte?"


    Mabel''s eyes widened. "Who... who are you?"


    The bodyguard closed the door behind them.


    Mabel found herself blindfolded, and the ck car sped away.


    She struggled, but the bodyguard held her down hard. "Move again, and you can say goodbye to your hand."


    Mabel was scared.


    After a long, bumpy ride that nearly made her sick, Mabel was thrown onto the ground, tied up.


    Then came the question-


    "Which hand did you push Ms. Lte with?"


    Mabel paled. "I... I realize my mistake, I truly do—"


    By now, she understood why those police officers looked at her as if she was a fool.


    "You''re not answering my question."


    "Let''s start with the left hand then."


    Isaac picked up a metal rod from somewhere and struck!


    Mabel cried out in pain.


    Tears streamed down her face as she struggled. "I really know I was wrong, please spare me."


    "Which hand?"


    Mabel, in agony, couldn''t remember which hand had touched Brittany, stammering without an answer.


    Isaac struck again!


    Her screams pierced the night.


    Nathan, witnessing the scene, felt Mabel had iting.


    After what seemed like an eternity, Mabely on the ground, shaking. "I shouldn''t have acted. I know I was wrong. Please, I can apologize..."


    As if breaking Brittany''s hand was the equivalent of a simple fall.


    Isaac tossed aside the rod and crouched down, "Mabel, enjoy the hell you''ve brought upon yourself."


    Mabel choked up.


    Isaac stood. "Start with her flesh, make it slow. Don''t let her off too easy."


    Mabel trembled uncontrobly. "Please don''t kill me, I really know I was wrong..."


    But her pleas were futile.


    ...


    It waste at night when Isaac finally returned to the hospital.


    Yuri had already gone home. The vast hospital room was quiet, save for Brittany, sleeping peacefully.


    Isaac stood by the window, the world outside pitch ck. He watched as a ck car slowly disappeared into the night.