The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 549

Brighton City General Hospital.

Veronica sat on a hallway bench, playing the picture of a worried, tearful mother to perfection.

The heavy rhythm of approaching footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor.

She looked up to see two detectives in uniform approaching. One of them was the deputy captain who had previously been to the Johnson estate.

Her eyes dimmed slightly. She had assumed Rhys would be the one to show up.

A crisis of this magnitude, and he wouldn't even show his face? Was he really prepared to just watch them die?

"Ms. West."

The detective stopped in front of her, pulling out his notepad with total professionalism. "We need to go over the details of the incident with you one more time."

Veronica dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a tissue. "I've already told you twice. With everything happening at home, she was panicked and wanted to pack a bag and leave. She rushed down the stairs, lost her footing, and fell. I was in the living room and saw it happen with my own two eyes."

The household staff had fled, the cameras were dead, and there was no video footage of the stairwell.

As long as she stuck to her story that it was an accident, they had nothing on her.

The detective looked down at his notes, his tone perfectly even. "There were scratch marks on the banister. Those aren't typically caused by someone simply losing their footing."

Veronica's expression didn't so much as twitch.

"Officer, what exactly are you implying? Are you accusing me of pushing her? I might be her stepmother, but I'm not a monster! That staircase is years old. It's completely normal for it to have some everyday scuffs and scratches!"

"Calm down, ma'am. We're just raising a reasonable question." He snapped his notepad shut. "The crime scene unit is still processing the area. In the meantime, keep your phone on you and do not leave Brighton City."

With no further words of comfort, the two detectives turned and strode away.

Veronica was left entirely alone in the empty hallway.

She sank back onto the bench, a sheen of cold sweat breaking out across her palms.

A little while later, the heavy doors of the emergency room swung open, and the doctor stepped out.

Veronica immediately jumped up. "Doctor, how is my daughter?"

"She's stable," the doctor said. "We managed to relieve the intracranial pressure. However..."

The lead agent flashed his badge. "We need to verify some facts regarding Eric's case, and we require your full cooperation in auditing the assets listed under his name."

Veronica stood up. "I'll cooperate with whatever you need, but..."

She turned slightly, looking longingly toward the heavy doors of the ICU. Through the glass, the faint silhouette of Margot on a ventilator was visible.

"My daughter just got out of surgery. If I leave her now..."

The lead agent followed her gaze, frowning slightly.

They had been briefed by the local precinct before coming, so they knew there had been an incident at the Johnson house, but they hadn't realized it was this severe.

The investigation had to proceed, but they still had to be practical. Margot was currently fighting for her life, and Veronica was her only guardian. Forcibly detaining Veronica for questioning could invite massive liabilities if the patient took a turn for the worse.

The agents exchanged a silent look, coming to a quick consensus.

"We are aware of your daughter's situation. Given the emergency, we can temporarily postpone your formal questioning. However, the asset audit starts now. Effective immediately, the Johnson residence, all vehicles, and select accounts under your name will be legally frozen. Furthermore, you are not to leave Brighton City during the investigation and must remain reachable at all times."

Hearing that only part of her accounts would be frozen brought Veronica a sliver of comfort. She clenched her hands tightly by her sides, maintaining the facade of a cooperative, long-suffering woman.