Chapter 2

With a calm and focused demeanor, Daniela explained the situation to Alexander, her voice ringing with clarity. "The warehouse had surveillance cameras.Even though the fire may have destroyed the cameras,there must be backups stored somewhere."

"Enough!" Alexander's eyes narrowed as he regarded Daniela, hs voice icy and tinged with anger. "Now you're just scrambling for excuses to get out of this.Surveillance footage can be manipulated. I can't trust a single word from you, you deceitful woman!"

Daniela locked eyes with Alexander.

His expression remained stoic, but his gaze was sharp and unwavering. Whenever he looked at someone, it seemed to pierce right through them.

For over a decade, Daniela had clung to the naive hope that she might thaw his icy heart. But she never anticipated it would end like this.

"Go and apologize to Joyce right now!"

His command cut through the air like a chill wind,leaving Daniela feeling as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped on her,her senses reeling.

"I'm your wife! Why won't you believe me?" she demanded, her words breaking with the weight of her vulnerability.

"Daniela,I've told you-apologize! If Joyce decides to take this to court, you'll be the one left in tears,begging for mercy."

His cutting words felt like a jagged knife, tearing through the fragile walls of her heart.

This marriage, these ten years of what she thought was love and devotion, had all been a cruel farce. 3

With a sharp tug on her collar, Alexander yanked her towards Joyce's ward.

A nurse sprinted behind them, desperation lacing her voice. "Her rib is fractured. She needs proper care and rest. What you're doing is downright abusive."

Yet,Alexander blatantly disregarded her pleas.

Daniela faltered, nearly stumbling as he hauled her through the pristine hallways and into the exclusive VIP ward.

The room exuded a warm, tranquil aura. Joyce lay in the bed as Katrina, seated beside her, offered her pieces of fruit. Upon Daniela's entrance, Katrina shot her a fleeting glance then averted her eyes, feigning ignorance of her presence.

Caiden's expression twisted into one of revulsion."You have the audacity to show your face here! Are you even aware of your sister's condition?"

At this point, Daniela felt an icy numbness engulf her heart.

She turned to Caiden and inquired, "Dad, have you forgotten that I'm your own flesh and blood? Do you recall your vow never to remarry after Mom leftus?You promised to look after me. Is this how you do that?"

Her father wasn't even willing to allow her the opportunity to clarify or defend herself.

Caiden's expression wavered momentarily, his brow furrowing in annoyance as he directed a sharp gaze at Daniela. "You're the one who screwed up! Why are you dragging me into it? You've grown quite audacious, haven't you? To think, now you'd even stand up to me!"

In the hospital bed, Joyce appeared robust despite her alleged frailty.

With an exaggerated gesture, she pressed her hands to her chest as if overwhelmed by a sudden loss of breath. "Do you want Dad to grow old and live the rest of his life completely alone, Daniela? Have you considered how lonely he'll be once you're married?Sitting alone in that huge house, with no one to care for him when he's sick or even pour him a glass of water?"

After that, Joyce turned to Alexander. "Alexander, do you honestly believe I'd start a fire just to end my own life?"

Alexander remained silent, absorbing the weight of the conversation. His face darkened with each passing second,reflecting a growing storm within.

He fixed a cold, unforgiving stare on Daniela and commanded sternly, "Daniela, kneel and beg Joyce for forgiveness!"

Daniela turned to face Alexander, her expression defiant.Why would she do that?

Suddenly, Katrina leapt from her chair and stormed over. Without a moment's hesitation, her hand swung through the air, landing a sharp slap across Daniela's cheek.

Stunned, Daniela could barely register the sudden assault before Katrina collapsed into a heap of raw nerves and tears. Pointing her finger at Daniela, Katrina yelled, "Daniela!You tried to kill my daughter! How can you stand there,unapologetic and accusing her instead? Oh, my poor girl! I'm to blame for everything. I never should've become a stepmother to another's child.It's all on me!I've kept you from the man your heart belongs to and dragged you into danger. I can't forgive myself for this!"

Caiden felt a sharp pang in his chest at Katrina's torment.

Driven by a surge of anger, he approached Daniela and delivered a firm slap too.

The impact sent her reeling back, her body hitting the wall as she struggled to maintain her balance.

Dazed, Daniela stood against the wall, her mind swirling with thoughts as tears blurred her vision.

She fixed her gaze on Alexander, a gleam of hope still lingering in her heart. ①

She silently pleaded for him to defend her, to offer even a single sentence in her favor.

However, Alexander's response shattered her last hope as he said sternly, "Apologize now! Or I'll have to call the police. You're facing charges of attempted murder, Daniela. That could mean life in prison."