Chapter 19She Askedfor It
When he saw her bleeding and injured, Zaydendidn’t seem to be concerned at all.
He didn’t comfort her. Instead, he asked, “Do you know what you’ve done. Wrong?”
Even a stranger on the street, seeing her in such a state, would at least ask if she was okay.
Yet her own husband was waiting for her to lower her head and admitherfault.
Lailah couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Zayden frowned. “What are you laughing at?”
Lailah wiped the blood from her forehead, but the rotten vegetable leaves and egg yolk stuck to her body still made her look utterly miserable.
“I’m laughing at myself. All the years I spent on youturned out to be a waste of time.”
She didn’t bother to tidy herself up. Looking straight at Zayden in the car, she said expressionlessly, “So this is your way of making me regret it? Letting people cyberbully meand sending a group to block me in the street? All to avenge your precious Mara?”
Zayden was silent for a few seconds. “You think I did all that?”
“Didn’t you?” Lailah gave a faint smile. “I just moved into a new place. Even doxxing wouldn’t lead tome that quickly. For someone to find me so fast and with such precision… who else but you? Didn’tyou sendJaylen to
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tell me that I’d regret it?”
She looked him in the eyes. “Since you’re so afraid of Tamara being wronged, why not just get a divorce? That way, the two of you can be together openly and without guilt.”
A flicker of anger crossed Zayden’s face.
“Lailah, I’ve explained countless times. Mara and I aren’t in the kind of relationship youthink we are. Can you stop being so unreasonable?”
Lailah sneered. “If you won’t divorce me, expect me to stay ‘unreasonable‘.‘
Zayden’s gaze turned cold.
“So, you’ve decided to remain stubborn?”
“Yes,” Lailah replied.
Zayden was so furiousthathe actually laughed. “Fine. I hope the day never comes when you need something from me.”
With that, Zayden drove away without glancing backward.
*****
After quite some time, the online outrage around Lailah still remained.
Zaydenhadn’t spoken out for her, nor had he suppressed the news. His silent indifference only made things worse. Everyone hated Lailah, yelling to hit her.
While Zayden said nothing, Tamara posted a statement on Twitter.
“My hospitalization had nothing to do with Ms. Griffith. The incident where I fell into the water was just an accident. We’ve reached reconciliation, and I won’t be pursuing any responsibility on her part.
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Chapter 19She Askedfor
“As for the rumors online that Ms. Griffith stole my boyfriend. That’s all in the past. I hope everyone can stop bringing it up.”
As soon as the post went up, the internet exploded.
Claiming the water incident was resolved and that she wouldn’t press charges actually confirmed that Lailah did, in fact, push Tamara into the
water.
And when Tamara mentioned the past, she didn’t offer any clarification. Instead, she brushed it off with a “let bygones be bygones,” which only confirmed for everyone that Lailah had indeed been the mistress who robbed her boyfriend.
But in truth, the three were all clear about the whole story.
When Lailah and Zayden got together, Zayden and Tamara had already broken up.
Then came another scandal. There were rumors of an affair between Lailah and Jamir Buckley.
Jamir, with his looks and talent, had skyrocketed to fame and was widely recognized as a musical genius.
But the fact that he was supposedly flirting with a married womandrew plenty of scorn as well.
And things didn’t stop there.
The police came knocking on Lailah’s door.
“Ms. Griffith, someone has reported you for attempted murder. Please come with us.”
Lailah was brought to the interrogation room.
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The internet was awash with conspiracy theories. Some even demandedthe death penalty.
Yet speculation wasn’t evidence.
It couldn’t be proved thatLailah had any murderous intent.
The interrogation lasted from morning to evening.
Eventually, the interrogator, having gotten nothing useful, had no choice but to release her..
Just as she stepped out of the room, a young officer hurried over and whispered something in the interrogator’s ear.
The interrogator’s expression changed slightly. “Are you sure?”
The young officer nodded.
The interrogator turned to Lailah.
“Ms. Griffith, a new eyewitness has come forward. We’ll need to continue the investigation. I’m sorry, but you can’t leave just yet.”
Eyewitness?
If there really had been one, this wouldn’t have dragged on so long.
For someone to suddenly come forward now, of all times…
Lailah’s heart sank as a chill ran down her spine.
That person must’ve known exactly how desperate her situation was and chose this moment to send someone to accuse her.
Such malice was truly chilling.
The interrogator looked at her with polite firmness.
“Ms. Griffith, please cooperate with our investigation.”
Lailah quickly calmed herself. “May I ask who the witness is?”
The officer shook his head. “Sorry, to ensure the witness’s safety, we can’t disclose their identity right now. If you have any objections, you can
contact a lawyer or call a friend to request bail.”
Everything had happened so fast. Lailah hadn’t even had time to contact a lawyer.
Jamirwas in the eye of the storm. She couldn’t go to him now.
Elysewas too naive to go against Zayden. If she said something wrong, it could give others leverage, and she might get dragged down too.
Was Zayden waiting for her to admit fault and bow her head? Otherwise, would he just keep treating her as a suspect and keep her locked up?
A hint of mockery surfaced in Lailah’s eyes.
Her long lashes lowered slightly as she said lightly, “I understand.”
Just as the officer was about to take Lailah into the holding cell, a deep and magnetic male voicesuddenly rang out.
“Ms. Griffith.
Lailah looked up.
A young man in a white shirt stood casually not far away.
He looked handsome, with his shirt slightly unbuttoned, giving off a carefree vibe.
A faint, perfectly measured smile played on his lips. His deepeyes were mischievous and captivating.
“Mr. Davidson?” Lailah was momentarily stunned. “What are you doing here?”
Wasn’t he supposed to be back only on the weekend?
Maxwell gave a slight smile. “Anton told me Ms. Griffith ran into some trouble.”
So it was Anton.
Lailah’s expression shifted slightly.
After that morning when Anton got pelted with eggs, she had sent him. home for the time being.
Her situation wasn’t resolved, and having him around was too dangerous.
Since the incident, Zayden and Krish had acted as if they were deafand blind. Not even a single phone callcame from the two.
But Anton? He called and messaged her every day, asking how she was doing.
Even someone she just metcared about her.
Her own husband and son, on the other hand, didn’t. Theystill had the leisure to travel around with Tamara.
Maxwell turned to Lailah and said, “Whatever it is, let’s talk outside. I’ve already taken care of the bail. We can leave now.”
Lailah was silent for a few seconds before shenodded lightly.
“Thank you.”
Chapter 105he Askedfor
Meanwhile, in Zayden’soffice…
Konnorwalked in and saw a man staring at the LCD TV on the wall.
The news showed footage of Lailah being pelted with eggs.
She looked like a stray dog, utterly wretched.
Konnor awkwardly looked away and reported in a low voice.
“Mr. Walter, Ms. Griffith was just taken in for questioning. Apparently, a witness provided some evidence… If no one posts bail, she’ll likely be detained.”
He hesitated. “Should we find someone to bail her out?”
Zayden looked at him. “When did this happen?”
“This morning.
Zayden glanced at his phone.
He didn’t receive anything from her, calling for his help. No calls, not even a single text.
“If she’d rather be chased and cursed by everyonethan bow her head, I can’t do anything. Clearly, she doesn’t want anyone’s help.”
A cold smile curled Zayden’s lips.
“Isn’t she supposed to be tough? Let her fend for herself in there.”
