Chapter 3: The Arrest
Chapter 3: The Arrest
The conference room door swung open.
Two detectives entered first, followed by Security Chief Daniel Reyes. Their expressions were calm, professional, and unreadable.
Isabella Rossi rose from her chair.
"I've already explained what happened."
Detective Laura Bennett placed a thin folder on the table.
"You'll have another opportunity."
"I want my attorney."
"You have that right."
Isabella glanced toward the hallway, expecting Victor Langford to return.
He didn't.
Instead, Detective Bennett slid a printed document across the table.
"Mr. Langford has formally withdrawn as your legal counsel."
For the first time that evening, Isabella's confidence cracked.
"He... what?"
"He informed us he cannot represent you due to false statements you made regarding the incident."
Isabella swallowed hard.
"I'll hire someone else."
"You may."
Detective Bennett took her seat.
"But first, we'd like your statement."
Three floors above, Khloe slowly opened her eyes.
The room was quiet except for the rhythmic beeping of medical monitors.
Sunlight had faded beyond the windows, leaving the recovery suite bathed in soft golden light.
Her body ached with every breath.
Then she felt a warm hand wrapped around hers.
Marcus.
He had never left.
"You stayed," she whispered.
He looked up immediately, relief flooding his face.
"There wasn't anywhere else I wanted to be."
Tears gathered in Khloe's eyes.
"The baby?"
Marcus smiled for the first time all night.
"Our little one is still fighting."
A tear rolled down Khloe's cheek.
Marcus gently brushed it away.
"The doctors say both of you need rest."
She nodded weakly.
Then her expression changed.
"Isabella..."
Marcus's eyes hardened.
"Don't think about her."
"I remember everything."
"I know."
"I didn't provoke her."
"I know."
"I never touched her."
Marcus leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
"I know that too."
Khloe searched his face.
"You believe me?"
He almost looked hurt by the question.
"I don't have to believe you."
She frowned.
"I saw the video."
Her eyes widened.
"Video?"
Marcus nodded.
"The entire attack was recorded."
Khloe closed her eyes in relief.
"So she can't lie."
"No."
"This time, she can't."
Back downstairs, Isabella sat across from the detectives.
"I acted in self-defense," she insisted.
Detective Bennett didn't respond immediately.
Instead, she opened a laptop.
"Would you like to watch the security footage with us?"
Isabella froze.
"I've already told you what happened."
"So have the cameras."
The video began playing.
For nearly five minutes, no one spoke.
Every shove.
Every kick.
Every attempt by Khloe to protect her unborn child.
Every lie Isabella had told afterward.
It was all there.
When the recording ended, Detective Bennett folded her hands.
"Would you like to change your statement?"
Silence.
"I..."
She couldn't find the words.
The evidence was undeniable.
Detective Michael Hayes quietly read from his notes.
"Based on the evidence currently available, you are under investigation for aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury to a pregnant woman."
Isabella's face turned pale.
"You can't prove intent."
Detective Bennett met her eyes.
"The recording suggests otherwise."
Meanwhile, Chairman William Carter stood alone in his office overlooking the hospital gardens.
His assistant entered quietly.
"Sir?"
"Yes?"
"The Board members are asking for a statement."
William looked out the window.
"No."
"They're concerned about the media."
"They'll have to wait."
"The press already knows there was an incident."
William nodded.
"They know an incident occurred."
"But they don't know the truth."
His assistant hesitated.
"Will you release the footage?"
"Not unless it's necessary."
He turned toward his desk.
"My first responsibility isn't public opinion."
"It's Khloe."
At sunrise the following morning, the first headlines began appearing online.
Billionaire Couple Leaves Charity Gala After Medical Emergency
Guests Report Chaos at Carter Memorial Event
Sources Claim Pregnant Socialite Injured During Private Incident
No one knew the full story.
Not yet.
Reporters gathered outside the hospital, hoping for a glimpse of Marcus Thorne.
Satellite news trucks lined the street.
Security barriers were quickly installed.
Inside, Marcus ignored every request for interviews.
His only focus remained the room where Khloe slept.
Late that afternoon, Dr. Amelia Brooks returned with encouraging news.
"The baby's heartbeat remains stable."
Marcus released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"And Khloe?"
"She's improving."
"When can she go home?"
Dr. Brooks smiled gently.
"You're thinking like a husband."
"I am a husband."
"And a worried father."
She nodded.
"If everything continues progressing, perhaps in several days."
Marcus thanked her.
As she prepared to leave, another doctor hurried toward them.
"Dr. Brooks."
"What is it?"
"The laboratory finished Mrs. Thorne's blood work."
Dr. Brooks reviewed the tablet.
Her smile slowly faded.
Marcus noticed immediately.
"What happened?"
She looked at him carefully.
"There are signs her blood pressure had been dangerously elevated before the assault."
Marcus frowned.
"Stress?"
"Extreme stress."
"Could that have endangered the pregnancy?"
"Yes."
Marcus's thoughts raced backward.
The past several months.
Khloe's growing anxiety.
The sleepless nights.
The times she insisted she was simply tired.
He remembered asking if something was wrong.
Every time she smiled and said she was fine.
She hadn't been fine.
She had been carrying far more than a pregnancy.
She had been carrying fear.
That evening, Detective Bennett arrived outside Khloe's hospital room.
Marcus stepped into the hallway.
"Can I help you?"
"I'd like to speak with Mrs. Thorne."
"She's resting."
"It can wait."
Marcus studied her expression.
"Is something new?"
Detective Bennett nodded.
"We've completed several witness interviews."
"And?"
"Most guests didn't see the assault."
Marcus wasn't surprised.
"It happened upstairs."
"Yes."
She paused.
"But someone did see Isabella enter the VIP floor."
Marcus waited.
"The witness says Isabella wasn't alone."
Marcus frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"According to hotel surveillance, another person rode the private elevator with her."
"Who?"
Detective Bennett opened her notebook.
"That's what we're trying to find out."
Marcus's expression darkened.
"If someone helped plan this..."
"We'll find them."
As the detective walked away, Marcus looked back through the glass at Khloe sleeping peacefully.
He had believed Isabella acted alone.
Now he wasn't so sure.
And somewhere else in the city, a man watched the breaking news on television before quietly switching it off.
He picked up his phone.
"They know about Isabella," he said calmly.
A voice answered on the other end.
"What about the recording?"
"They have it."
A long silence followed.
Then the caller gave a chilling order.
"Destroy everything that connects us before the police find you."
May you like
The line went dead.
The conspiracy was far from over.
