Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 904

"Tiana, are you free to chat right now?" Celine's voice was heavy with concern.

Something felt off to Tiana. She placed her briefcase on the couch and turned away from Cherry, asking, "Mom, what's wrong?"

"Your dad's in trouble." Celine's voice was weak, and she began to choke up.

Tiana's face went pale. "Is it his health...?"

"It's not his health yet, but your father's been arrested!"

"What do you mean arrested? What happened?"

For the past three years, Tiana had lived on edge. Between the constant pressure from Elaine Bartels and Endora, and the family troubles, only in the recent year had things settled down a bit after Whitney came back. Finally, the family of three had found some peace. It had been a while since Tiana had heard her mother cry over the phone.

It nearly made her forget the panic that came with unexpected disasters.

Celine, tears in her voice, said, "Your dad's been taken to jail. The police arrested him last night. I didn't tell you right away, thinking we could just bail him out with some money, but it turns out your dad got involved in your cousin's mess.

They... the police said your dad has committed manslaughter!"

"Manslaughter? No... that can't be."

Tiana staggered, unable to comprehend her mother's words. Her movement startled Cherry, who stopped playing and ran over, seeing her mother's face ashen.

"Mummy, what's wrong?"

Tears welled up in Tiana's eyes as she pulled her daughter to the side, her mind in turmoil as she asked her mother, "Can you explain what's going on? What trouble has my cousin gotten into now? What has been happening at home? How did Dad get involved in my cousin's issues?

Mom, I told you to keep me informed about everything, big or small. Why do you always choose to hide things?

Dad's a patient; how could he suddenly be involved in a manslaughter case?

After our family business went under and was taken over by my uncle, Dad hasn't been involved in any business for years. How could he have conflicts with anyone?"

"The conflict wasn't started by your dad!" Celine explained. "It all started with your hot-headed cousin. He got into a nasty competition with a real estate firm, which had some strong backers.

Your aunt wanted your cousin to quit, but he went behind her back, mortgaged the family assets, and dumped all the money into a project.

Recently, that real estate firm started causing trouble for your cousin over financial issues. So, he turned to your dad for help with the accounts since your dad was experienced in business.

After helping your cousin, the situation didn't improve. Instead, it led to your cousin being accused of corporate crime. Your dad, always the upright man, couldn't stand it.

He went with your cousin to confront that real estate firm... just yesterday. And then, he didn't come back.

I waited until midnight when the police showed up to notify us of the intentional harm charge and took him away.

I found out at the hospital that the young man from that firm had died.

I still don't understand what happened. All I know is that the deceased was from the Caldwell family.

I've tried contacting his family, but to no avail. I'm at my wits' end.

Tiana, if you can, please come back home."

Tiana's world crumbled. The key facts hit her hard: her father was inexplicably involved in a homicide case.

Her mind went blank. How could this happen...

Without a second thought, she quickly booked a flight. Pale, she handed Cherry over to the neighbor, Yael Tennyson, jumped into her car, and sped toward the airport.

All the way, she stayed on the phone with Celine.

It wasn't until she was on the plane that Tiana realized she hadn't informed Whitney, nor had she requested leave from the Sheldon Group.

She clasped her head in her hands, feeling utterly lost on the plane. Just a week ago, her mom had called to say her dad's heart condition had worsened. He had undergone three stent surgeries already, and his heart couldn't take another operation. If his condition worsened, they would need to consider a heart transplant.

This was a heavy burden on Tiana's heart. Her father's life was more important than anything else. She had planned to resign from her job in Emperor City, take care of her father for half a year, and then move the family to another city, away from all the trouble, so he could have a peaceful heart transplant.

That's why she had given up on Parker, not wanting to get involved in further conflicts, fearing her parents wouldn't survive them.

But before she could act on her plans, disaster struck.

Tears silently fell through her fingers.

-

In Banyan City, Tiana rushed straight from the airport to the police detention center.

But the police wouldn't let her see her father. Based on the evidence from the scene, they were treating Fabian as a suspect in a manslaughter case. They told her to hire a lawyer and reach out to the victim's family. "Right now, the family has filed a complaint and is pressing charges for intentional homicide. This is a serious issue. If it goes to court and he's found guilty of intentional homicide, your father could face the death penalty.

We suggest you contact the victim's family to try to get a clear understanding and seek their forgiveness. Convincing them to drop the charge of intentional homicide could lessen the punishment for your father."

"He couldn't have killed anyone! He's a heart patient himself; where would he get the strength to commit murder?

And what about the motive? Have you properly investigated the so-called crime scene?" Tiana was beside herself, roaring each word.

"Tiana..." Celine arrived, pulling her aside.

These past three years, they had faced nothing but humiliation. Celine knew that in Banyan City, no one would show them any sympathy. Everything had to be handled with utmost caution.

The police ignored Tiana's outburst, stating coldly, "There's no need to doubt the police's evidence collection. We've thoroughly reviewed the surveillance footage and blood samples, and combined with eyewitness statements, it was your father who initiated the physical confrontation, striking a fatal blow. The victim was rushed to the hospital but died from excessive bleeding in the brain."

"Tiana, I asked this morning, and this is what the police told me.

The way it stands, they're about to classify it as involuntary manslaughter, but the Caldwell family is pressing charges for intentional homicide. Your father is elderly and hasn't had his heart surgery. He can't just die in jail, let alone with the stain of being a murderer," Celine said through tears. Tiana's eyes burned with a fierce determination as she stared up into the pitch-black sky, her hands clenched into fists. "There's definitely something off here! Do I not know my dad? The man wouldn't hurt a fly, let alone raise a hand to someone.

Mom, where are the Caldwells now?!"

"They're at Banyan City Central Hospital. Thomas Caldwell's body is in the morgue. Your aunt said they should perform an autopsy to prove dad's innocence, but the police haven't demanded one. We even went this morning to ask, but the Caldwells turned us away. They're refusing to let the autopsy go ahead."

Refusing an autopsy? Doesn't that raise red flags?

And if an autopsy is part of the legal process, why haven't the police insisted on it?