chapter735

Mandy's heart skipped a beat. She had told Leopard to grab Lydia, sure, but she never told him to mess with Connor. How did things spiral out of control so fast?

Suddenly, the sharp blare of police sirens cut through the night, blue and red lights flashing everywhere. It wasn't just Mandy who tensed up now. Rosie went stiff beside her, worry flickering across her face.

What was going on? Why were the police here?

A team of special officers piled out of their cars, quickly surrounding the house. Two people walked behind them, and even in the chaos, Mandy recognized them right away. Byron. And Lydia.

Rosie's eyes grew huge. She stared in shock. "Lydia!"

Mandy spotted her too. She never expected Lydia to be so intimidating in person. This was just some eighteen-year-old college student, supposedly poor, but her presence was overwhelming.

"Officer, it's them," Lydia said, voice steady and clear. "They hired people to kidnap me. They wanted me to take the fall for Rosie."

She fixed Rosie with an icy look, her expression so cold it sent a chill down everyone's spine. Rosie stood frozen on the steps, unable to keep her composure anymore.

"Lydia, you are lying!" Rosie shouted, voice shrill and shaky.

Inwardly she was panicking. Why was Connor helping Lydia? Did they even know each other?

Lydia lifted her chin and glanced at Leopard. "He's right here. Are you really going to keep denying it?"

Mandy shot Leopard a vicious glare, her teeth clenched so hard it hurt. Useless idiot! Not only did he mess up, but he dragged all this trouble back to her. Was he trying to ruin her life?

Byron stepped forward, holding out his badge. "Mrs. Gibson, Miss Gibson, you're both suspects in a kidnapping case. Please come to the station with us."

Mandy didn't recognize Byron, so she squared her shoulders, refusing to back down. "You know who I am, and you still dare to talk to me like that?"

"Mrs. Gibson, the law applies to everyone. If you break it, you face the consequences. Please cooperate.

"Hah! You don't have any proof. You can't just accuse me out of nowhere."

Byron's face stayed serious. "We have a witness and evidence. How long do you plan on denying it, Mrs. Gibson?"

"I told you, I don't even know this man!" Mandy snapped.

Leopard looked up, eyes red and raw. Ma'am, you almost got us killed. Now you pretend you don't know us?"

"Shut up!" Mandy barked.

Lydia cut in, playing a recording from Spike's phone. Mandy's voice was unmistakable, cold and sharp.

"Lydia, the one who stole first place from Rosiel Grab her and make sure she learns her lesson. If she'll take the blame for cheating, fine. If she won't then do whatever you want. Take pictures, post them online. I remed. She tried

want her rep

to compete with my daughter? In her dreams!"

The night went silent. It was so tense, it felt like time had stopped.

Connor stood nearby, radiating cold anger. His voice was low and deadly. "Enough. Take them away! "

A chill ran down Mandy's spine. She felt like she'd fallen into a frozen lake.

Rosie burst out, Jackson is my uncle! Don't touch us!"

Byron

you thinned. "So, Miss Gibson,

is on

as long as General Hydes your side, you can do whatever

you want and the por

can'ttouch

you?" .

Rosie lifted her chin. "Exactly! If you do anything to us, my uncle"

Before she could finish, Mandy lunged forward and clamped a hand over Rosie's mouth.

Rosie, furious and embarrassed, yanked her mother's hand away.

"Mom! What are you doing? net

Ungle here there's nothing he

afraid of