Reborn at Eighteen The Billionaire's Second Chance novel Chapter 212

Chapter 212

Elara

“Security cameras.‘ I kept my voice level, factual. “There were cameras all around that pool. Julian–Mr. Vane–already had his assistant

secure all the footage. Nothing’s been tampered with. If you look at those recordings, you’ll see exactly what happened. You’ll see that

Sloane pushed me first. You’ll see that I never touched her until I was already in the water, already drowning.”

Officer Brown exchanged a glance with her partner, something that might have been approval flickering across her face. “Mr. Vane did

mention that he’d preserved the security footage. We’ll be reviewing it as part of our investigation.”

“Good.” I met her eyes steadily. “Because I want the truth to come out. I want everyone to see what really happened.”

“Even if the truth makes you look bad? Ethan couldn’t seem to help himself, the words bursting out despite Officer Martinez’s warning

glare. “Even if those cameras show you pushing Sloane because you’re jealous that she has everything you want?”

I turned to look at him fully for the first time since he’d entered the room. “I have three things to say about that accusation, Mr. Holt. First–if I really wanted to hurt Sloane, would I do it in front of dozens of witnesses at a party where everyone was filming on their

phones? That doesn’t make any sense.”

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I held up a second finger. “Second–I can’t swim. Everyone knows this. My entire school knows this. The Vane family knows this. A person who can’t swim doesn’t push someone into a pool and then jump in after them. That would be suicide, and I’m not suicidal.”

I raised a third finger, my voice dropping to something cold and precise. “And third–that party last night had at least fifty guests. The pool area was crowded. If I wanted to attack Sloane, why would I choose the most public possible location? I’m not stupid, Mr. Holt. I

wouldn’t sabotage myself like that.”

The logic was sound enough that I saw doubt flicker across Officer Brown’s face, saw her make a note in her book that looked longer and more detailed than the others. Officer Martinez was nodding slightly, his expression thoughtful rather than automatically dismissive.

hild at

Ethan, however, just sneered. ‘It doesn’t matter what your supposed logic was. The fact is, Sloane got hurt. She’s pregnant, she got pushed into a pool, and now she’s in pain and the baby might be in danger. Whatever your reasons, whatever your excuses–you

risk.

“I didn’t push her.” I forced the words out through gritted teeth, refusing to let him see how much his accusations hurt. She tried to kill me. And if you’d actually look at the evidence instead of just believing whatever she tells you-

shed me.

“We will be looking at the evidence, Ms. Vance. Officer Brown’s voice was firm but not unkind. She stood up, closing her notebook. “All of it. The security footage, witness statements, everything. We’ll conduct a thorough investigation and determine what actually happened.” She paused, her expression softening slightly. For what it’s worth, your account is internally consistent and your reasoning is sound. The security footage will either support your version of events or it won’t. Until we’ve reviewed it, we’re not making any judgments.

It was the closest thing to support I’d gotten from anyone official, and I felt something in my chest loosen fractionally. Thank you.”

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11:08 Sat, Mar 28

Chapter 212

We’ll be in touch once we’ve completed out review. Officer Brown moved toward the door, Officer Martinez following. In the meantime,

please don’t leave the city. We may have follow–up questions.”

I’m not going anywhere. I looked at Ethan as I said it, letting him see the steel in my spine despite how exhausted I was. I’m going to

stay right here and wait for the truth to come out.”

Ethan’s lip curled, “We’ll see how confident you are when those cameras prove you’re a liar.”

‘Mr. Holt. Officer Martinez’s voice was sharp. “That’s enough. Let’s go.”

They filed out, Ethan shooting me one last venomous glare before the door closed behind them. And then I was alone again in the too

bright hospital room, my body aching and my throat raw and my mind spinning with everything that had just happened.

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