The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 363

Liam's voice, shaking with terror, pierced through the outer circle of the standoff.

The explosive tension in the corridor, which threatened to violently tear the Hayes and Pierce families apart, was abruptly interrupted by the heavy, synchronized thud of leather boots.

"Mr. Hayes, Julian."

Several high-ranking police executives in dark blue uniforms, accompanied by a dozen heavily armed detectives, marched into the blood-scented hallway, guided by Liam and Julian's assistant.

The fatal fall at The Southview Peninsula Hotel had utterly rocked the elite circles of The Metropolis in less than an hour.

The Hayes Princess, the future matriarch of the Pierce family, dying a bizarre death at her own birthday party—it was an incident of such magnitude that absolutely no one dared to show the slightest negligence.

The lead officer glanced at Nora, who was slumped on the floor covered in blood, and then looked at the two furious billionaires standing near the white sheet. He lowered his head respectfully but spoke with strict professionalism.

"Gentlemen, the crime scene has been fully locked down. We have already conducted an initial extraction regarding the threatening text messages she received prior to the fall and the witness testimonies from the roof."

"Ms. Nora is highly suspected of intentional homicide. We need to take her back to the precinct immediately for a criminal investigation."

The words "criminal investigation" and "suspected" struck Nora like a bolt of lightning, causing her entire body to violently jerk.

She threw her head up, her red, swollen eyes brimming with sheer terror, despair, and the very last thread of desperate hope. Her gaze bypassed the stoic police officers and landed squarely on Gideon.

In The Metropolis, Gideon's name was absolute power. He made the rules.

If Gideon just spoke up for her right now, even if it was just a casual "No one touches her until the truth is investigated."

There wasn't a single precinct or officer in the city who would dare drag her away without ironclad proof.

"Mr. Hayes, the Chief Legal Officer and the entire legal team are on standby outside. Shall we initiate the bail process for Nora..."

Drenched in cold sweat, Liam leaned in and whispered the inquiry.

"Tell them to get the hell back to headquarters."

Gideon spoke with agonizing slowness.

"Notify the legal department and everyone else. From this second forward, all legal assistance to Nora is completely terminated."

"Tell every contracted law firm under the Hayes umbrella: if anyone dares to take her case privately, or tries to apply for her bail, they will go completely bankrupt and get the hell out of The Metropolis."