From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 37

Just like that hit-and-run accident where the driver had fled and never been caught, the torment she suffered had never been avenged. In the dead of night, she still woke up trapped in that memory, reliving the impact and the agony.

She knew the culprit would face justice one day, but the trauma this marriage brought her clung to her like a brand. Perhaps she would never truly be free of it.

The pain was suffocatingly clear.

"Who is in charge here?" the police asked as they arrived.

Tilting her head up, she wiped the moisture from her eyes and stepped forward. "I am."

"This is a major safety incident resulting in eighteen injuries. You need to come with us for an investigation," the officer said sternly. "The construction manager will be taken in as well."

In the ambulance, Frederick was comforting a terrified Sierra. Lydia slowly looked away, nodded numbly, and left with the police.

Thankfully, there were no fatalities.

Caleb's voice sounded from behind. "Don't worry, ma'am. Go with the police. I'll contact Mr. Vane immediately."

...

"Lydia, the construction manager, Zachary Kemp, confessed. He claims you embezzled company funds, forcing him to buy substandard steel, which led to the accident. Do you have anything to say for yourself?" the officer interrogated her sternly.

Embezzlement meant prison time.

She hadn't done it, and she believed the police would uncover the truth. But hearing the malicious framing still sent a jolt through her heart.

She looked at Daniel. After waiting in the holding cell for half an hour without seeing Sebastian, she had called him instead.

"My client has no knowledge of this and denies the embezzlement charges," Daniel answered on her behalf before requesting bail.

"You are suspended from your position pending our investigation. You are not to leave Averton during this time. Understood?"

She nodded.

Walking out of the interrogation room, the lobby was packed with people brought in for questioning regarding the incident. Upon hearing that she had been suspended pending investigation, they scoffed at her.

"When she took over the foundation, they said Seraphina left a five million dollar deficit. Seraphina is a legend; five million dollars is just a year's worth of spa treatments for her. Why would she be in debt? It's obvious she was embezzling the funds right from the start."

"You probably don't know, but even though she's an heiress to The Sutton Group, she's actually the daughter of the disgraced first wife. She was kicked out of the Sutton family when she was young and grew up relying entirely on her mother. She was never loved, so of course, she's money-hungry," another chimed in. "Unlike Ms. Sutton, who is showered with love by everyone."

Panic flashed in her eyes, and she stumbled backward. Suddenly, a figure stepped in front of her.

She looked up in shock and saw Frederick.

The boiling water soaked the sleeve of his dress shirt, and the back of his hand instantly turned bright red.

"No causing trouble in the police station! The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone spreading rumors will face legal consequences. Get in line and give your statements!" a police officer shouted, finally silencing the crowd. The mother quickly pulled her son away.

Lydia instinctively opened her mouth to ask if he was hurt.

But Sierra suddenly grabbed his arm. "Freddie, are you okay? I was standing so far away, it wouldn't have hit me..."

"It's better to be safe."

Hearing Frederick's response, a self-deprecating smile pulled at Lydia's lips.

How could she ever think Frederick did that for her?

Her desire to divorce him reached its absolute peak. Walking out of the station with Daniel, she asked desperately, "Daniel, Sebastian didn't come with them. Does that mean he's at the courthouse? Can you go check?"