"Alright. But it's too hot out here. Get in the car, and I'll tell you." Joel had been the Blackwood family's driver for over a decade. After his wife passed away, he and his daughter, Annie, lived in Blackwood Manor. The Blackwoods treated them as part of their own. Annie, close in age to the Blackwood children, attended the same elite private schools thanks to the Blackwoods' connections. As they grew older, Annie and Jethro grew closer. After high school graduation, they started dating. Some of the Blackwood elders, particularly Jethro's father and uncle, initially objected. They thought the Blackwood heir shouldn't date a driver's daughter. But Arthur argued that Annie had grown up under their watch. They knew her roots, which was safer than some unknown socialite. With his insistence, the family reluctantly accepted the relationship.The peace didn't last. Joel developed a severe gambling addiction. He lost everything. Desperate and hounded by debt collectors, he turned his sights on the Blackwood family. He orchestrated a kidnapping plot. In the end, it fell apart, and Jethro's father and uncle—along with the culprit, Joel—died in a fire. "After the accident, my grandpa and my mom demanded I break up with Annie. I knew she was innocent. She hadn't done anything wrong, yet she was being made to pay for her father's crime. At first, I refused. I even planned to run away with her. I thought, after a few years, when emotions had cooled, they might understand. "But then, I overheard a phone call. Annie was talking to someone, a stranger. She was furious, saying, 'He's dead! How dare you ask for money? Go ask the devil for it!'" Darcy's eyes widened. She swallowed hard. "You mean—" "Yes," Jethro said, his eyes darkening. "I suspected she was involved. Either she knew about her father's plan in advance, or..." He clenched his fists, knuckles white. "Or she was the real mastermind behind it." Darcy covered her mouth in horror. If that were true, the woman was a monster. Heart aching for him, Darcy took his hands in hers. "Did you investigate?" Jethro nodded. "I tried. But there were no solid leads. With the key players dead, the police considered the case closed. I confronted Annie. I searched her phone, her room when she wasn't there. Found nothing." Darcy thought for a moment. "She's back now. Do you want to find the truth?" Jethro looked at her. "What are you thinking?" "Whoever was on that phone call," Darcy said, her voice firm, "if they know she's back, they'll come find her soon enough. If we can find that person, we might finally get answers." Jethro brought her hands to his lips, kissing them gently. "Darcy, thank you. For understanding. For trusting me." "Silly. What's there to thank? I'm your girlfriend. Of course I trust you," she smiled softly. "Besides, you've given me the same understanding. Love goes both ways." A warm, profound feeling spread through Jethro's chest. He lifted her chin and kissed her softly. "Darcy, I love you. So much." The police investigation concluded quickly. The security camera at the intersection had been malfunctioning, and Jethro's dashcam footage only caught Cindy falling. The official report placed full responsibility on Jethro. In her hospital room, Annie gave Rowan a triumphant look. "I told you. I'm the victim here. You might not believe me, but you have to believe the police report. Call Jethro. Tell him to come see me. Otherwise, I won't agree to settle this." Her initial plan had simply been to use the accident to announce her return. She never imagined he'd suspect a setup and call the police. His cold distrust had cut her deeply. Rowan adjusted his glasses. "I've forwarded the police report to Mr. Blackwood. Next steps are pending his instructions." "Even with him at fault," Rowan continued calmly, "your agreement isn't strictly necessary for a settlement. I will handle all compensation as required." "You—!" Annie hurled a pillow at the floor. "I said call him! Tell him to come! Are you deaf?!" Rowan remained impassive. "You are welcome to contact Mr. Blackwood yourself." "If I could reach him, do you think I'd be talking to you?!" she screamed. She had tried calling and texting. Nothing got through. He was deliberately avoiding her. Annie's hands clenched into fists under the sheets. No matter how she raged, Rowan held his ground. "Please rest, Ms. Roby. I'll check in again this afternoon." He turned and left, closing the door firmly behind him. "Get out! All of you, get out!" Annie shrieked at the closed door, her entire body trembling with uncontrollable rage.