The day shift had just come on when the officers heard the story — that the woman who'd called 911 was also the suspect. They did a double-take, wondering if they were still half-asleep. Usually, when someone walks into a police station on their own to clear their name, they're either a cocky criminal who thinks they're untouchable… or actually innocent. One look at the young woman standing in front of them — calm, steady — and most of them were leaning toward the latter. But with the "victim's" family swearing up and down otherwise, they had to play it by the book. Then came the twist — the victim and the suspect lived under the same roof. The cherished one was the adopted daughter; the one standing alone, defending herself, was the biological daughter. The female officer taking the statement could already feel a headache coming on as she tried to untangle the family tree. Two Lancaster brothers — one cold, one loud — glaring at their own sister like she was a sworn enemy. And the supposed motive? The biological daughter had been "jealous" for years. Jealous of the adopted one's perfect halo. Jealous enough to try to take her out. The officer's gaze drifted across the room — to the so-called boyfriend. He was crouched beside the pale, coughing Lydia, fussing over her like a nurse: tucking a blanket around her shoulders, offering her water, whispering softly. The officer nearly rolled her eyes. Seriously? Do they have to be caught in bed before anyone admits what's going on? Her eyes flicked back to Claudia, who sat quietly, answering every question without attitude. Something in the girl's composure tugged at her. Claudia noticed, and offered a small, easy smile. It made the officer's pulse skip. How could a girl like that be capable of trying to kill someone? Side by side, Lydia looked like the pampered princess; Claudia looked like the one left out in the cold. This reeked of a family mess, not a criminal case. Still — feelings don't run cases. The officer wandered over with a paper cup of hot tea, a few snack packets, and a chocolate bar, setting them quietly within reach. She'd noticed earlier when a maid brought breakfast for the family — no plate for Claudia. The favoritism was out in the open. Lydia's injuries turned out to be minor, and she didn't want to press charges, but "arranging for a driver to run someone over" wasn't something you just shrug off. So the cops handled it carefully. The next step was simple: question the driver. He admitted to taking money — but not from Claudia. The payment came from Julie Stone, a classmate of both girls. Julie and Lydia danced in the same troupe, rivals for the spotlight. Julie confessed she only wanted Lydia hurt enough to lose her lead role. She also knew Claudia and Lydia had bad blood — and since Claudia had bullied her in high school, Julie decided to get revenge and frame Claudia while she was at it. She'd figured that even if suspicion landed on Claudia, Lydia would protect her out of "sisterly loyalty," and it would all blow over. She hadn't counted on Claudia refusing to take the fall.In the end, Julie's dance career went up in smoke. But Lydia wasn't seriously injured, and she sympathized with the driver's situation, so she agreed to a private settlement. Neither Julie nor the driver suffered much. Julie didn't blink. Losing her dance career stung, but she came from an ordinary family — it was just a paycheck. She could live with it. As she walked past Claudia, she shot her a sideways glance that said it all. Sure, you cleared your name. But did you really win? Because Lydia still stood untouched, the golden girl on her pedestal. Julie let out a low, mocking laugh. So what if you were born rich? In the end, you're no better off than the rest of us nobodies. When the truth finally came out, the Lancasters looked… awkward. Wilson thought about the slap he'd given Claudia that morning. Regret pricked, but blame came out instead. "If you hadn't been so domineering and bullied your classmate, nobody could've used her against Lydia."Claudia almost laughed. "So by your logic, if a strand of her hair falls out, it's my fault for walking by and stirring the air? If she's that fragile, maybe bubble-wrap her and stick her on a pedestal." "What kind of garbage are you spewing?!" Wilson snapped, hand lifting for another swing. "There you go, slandering Lydia again!" “Hey! No hitting in the station!" the note-taking officer barked. Lydia broke into a fit of coughing that left her gasping. Lottie rushed to her, glaring daggers at her husband and sons. "Lydia's health is already fragile, and now she's dragged down here at dawn to suffer more. Claudia, when will you learn to be sensible?" Clarence's tone was cold as stone. "You knew you were innocent. Why couldn't you just say so? Did you have to haul us all to the station and make a spectacle?" Zane sneered. "Maybe she wanted the drama. She only feels alive when she's center stage." Claudia didn't flinch. She'd lived this scene too many times. "Yeah, yeah," she muttered. "I'm awful. I'm vicious. But at least I'm still human. Unlike you — all polished faces and rotten hearts, brains for decoration, and eyes that only see what they want." Pfft— A couple of officers couldn't help but snicker. The poor girl had almost been railroaded for a crime she didn't commit, and her family's biggest concern was still the adopted daughter. Finally, the female officer stepped forward with a polite smile. “Ms. Lancaster, we've confirmed you're not involved. You're free to go home and get some rest. Ms. Lydia, as the victim, we may still need your cooperation later." Claudia didn't bother replying. She thanked her softly and turned to leave. Jasper half-rose to follow her, but Lydia swayed weakly, and he immediately stayed put. Instead, Lottie called out, "Claudia, where are you going? Your engagement to Jasper is less than a month away. You should stay home until then." The guests and banquet could be handled without her — but the dress fittings needed her there.At the word engagement, Lydia's eyes dropped, fingers tightening around Jasper's arm. Claudia turned, smile sharp as glass. “Mrs. Lancaster, open your eyes. Who's Jasper holding right now? You really think it's appropriate to plan an engagement party for me and him?" Every head in the room turned toward the pair, still half-tangled together. Handsome man. Delicate beauty. Picture-perfect. Except one was the older sister, the other the soon-to-be brother-in-law. Indecent, right? And yet— "In my opinion," Zane cut in, sneering, "only dirty minds see dirt everywhere. Lydia's sick, Jasper's just helping. You're petty and jealous, Claudia — so jealous even this offends you."