Chapter 2: Hope We Never Meet Again

Being called out by the police, Rowan was momentarily stunned, but soon a smug look flashed in her eyes as she walked toward the officers.

"Officer, I'm the victim, Rowan. My sister just couldn't think straight for a moment. It wasn't her intention. I don't want to pursue this anymore."

Rowan thought that since the police mentioned her name, it must be about the bar incident last night.

At this moment, Henry unhurriedly descended the entrance steps and walked slowly toward the police.

"Officer, that child only did something foolish because she felt unbalanced after I found my biological daughter."

With a serious expression and the arrogant tone he used with his assistants, he said, "After all, I raised her for over ten years. I wouldn't go so far as to hold a child responsible. Let's just end this matter here."

He then assumed parental authority and coldly instructed Claire, "Quickly promise the officer you'll be a good person from now on."

"Mr. Blackwell, shouldn't we hear what the police have to say first?" Claire's lips held a faint sneer.

The investigating officer had a stern expression. His gaze swept over everyone before he spoke, "Mr. Blackwell, three people turned themselves in at the police station, confessing that they were bribed by Rowan to frame Claire."

Henry's face immediately stiffened, looking very unnatural.

"How is that possible?" Rowan's eyes widened, nearly losing her composure.

She had given each of those people ten thousand dollars. How could they possibly turn themselves in?

"Officer, who would pay money to harm themselves?" Brooke argued for Rowan.

"Claire, it wasn't enough that you had people hurt Rowan, and now you've had them turn around and falsely accuse Rowan. Do you think this will let you stay with the Blackwell family? Let me tell you, no way. The Blackwell family will never again support an ungrateful person like you."

Brooke warned Claire, "If you properly admit to your slander, I'll let you off again and not pursue responsibility. I'll even give you some settlement money. Otherwise, don't blame us for being heartless."

"Mrs. Blackwell, do you think the police investigate cases without evidence?" Claire reminded her calmly.

Brooke was choked up. After all, with the police present, she needed to maintain her image. She glared fiercely at Claire but said nothing more.

The investigating officer proceeded officially, "The three who turned themselves in provided chat records with Rowan, as well as transfer records."

This was ironclad evidence.

"Impossible." Rowan could no longer pretend to be weak, her voice sharp.

She had clearly demanded they delete the records in person. How could there still be any?

Although Rowan vehemently denied it, Henry was experienced enough to know the police wouldn't come without cause.

Henry probably felt Rowan had embarrassed him and shot her a cold glance.

But when facing the police, his previously arrogant demeanor immediately became somewhat ingratiating.

"Officer, when it comes down to it, this is a family matter. Both children are still in school. Please, officer, let's make a big thing small."

Brooke immediately added, "Officer, you don't know—since our biological daughter Rowan returned to the Blackwell family, Claire has repeatedly hurt Rowan. If Rowan really did this, it was because she couldn't take it anymore. Please be understanding."

The investigating officer's gaze swept over the suitcase lying toppled by the steps, his eyes flashing with complexity.

After a moment's consideration, he said, "This matter hasn't caused serious consequences, and without the victim pressing charges, I don't have to take anyone in. But Rowan must apologize to Claire and reflect properly."

Unwillingness flashed in Rowan's eyes.

But the officer's words left her no room to argue. She blinked her eyes.

Then she put on a wronged expression, "Claire, I'm sorry. You only accidentally splashed hot water on me and ruined my dress. I shouldn't have made a big deal of it."

Before Rowan could finish, Claire coldly interrupted, "Officer, Rowan hired people to frame and falsely accuse me. The evidence is solid. I'm now formally filing a report to pursue charges."

Her original intention in calling the police was only to let Henry and Brooke see clearly that last night's incident was their biological daughter's doing.

Yet Rowan showed no remorse and was framing her on the spot.

So she wouldn't let Rowan off anymore.

"You!" All three members of the Blackwell family looked at Claire simultaneously, their faces incredulous.

"Dad, Mom, Claire isn't being ungrateful. She just wants to stay. Why don't you let her stay? I'll just try to avoid her from now on."

Rowan immediately put on a humble and pitiful appearance.

"No, Dad and Mom have already wronged you too much. How can we let you suffer more?" Brooke immediately objected.

Henry squinted, very displeased, "Claire, tell us your conditions for settlement. I'll agree to anything except letting you stay with the Blackwell family."

"The condition is simple." Claire showed no emotion, speaking coldly.

"The hot water splashing, the ruined dress, and all those things you think I did to hurt her—Rowan made them all up. As long as she admits it in front of the police and apologizes to me, I'll settle."

"Claire, if you're going to force me like this, I'll admit my fault." Rowan's tears welled up in her eyes, giving the impression she was desperately holding them back.

Still acting!

Claire sneered, "Admitting fault requires showing proper attitude. You need to recreate the process of how you framed me."

That would mean making her expose herself!

Rowan clenched her fists tightly. If scratching faces wasn't illegal, she would definitely scratch up Claire's enviably beautiful face.

"Officer, what's the penalty for hiring people to frame and falsely accuse someone?" Claire asked the police.

The officer replied, "Although it hasn't caused serious consequences, it involves monetary transactions—administrative detention from three months to half a year."

Rowan's body trembled.

Detention.

That would ruin her reputation.

With no choice, Rowan reluctantly admitted that the hot water incident and dress damage were things she had set up herself. As she spoke, tears fell, as if she were being forced against her will.

Claire's cool gaze swept over Henry and Brooke, "You kept saying I couldn't tolerate your precious daughter. Now do you see clearly?"

Henry stood frozen in place, his face ugly to the extreme.

Brooke held Rowan protectively in her arms, looking at Claire with poisonous eyes, "That's only because you forced her. Get out quickly. Once you're out that door, whether you live or die has nothing to do with us."

"That's exactly what I want." Claire smiled faintly, "Officer, please be my witness. Given that Rowan has repeatedly schemed to frame me, I'm leaving the Blackwell family right now, and from this moment on, I have no connection whatsoever with the Blackwell family."

Claire bowed to Henry and Brooke. When she straightened up, she lifted her delicate chin and spoke calmly, "Thank you both for raising me. I hope we never meet again."

She walked closer to Rowan and said in a voice only Rowan could hear, "For Nathaniel's sake, I'm letting you off this once—and only this once!"

With that, Claire turned decisively.

Without even taking her suitcase, she walked briskly toward the gate.

It was just some everyday clothes. She didn't lack for anything.

Just as she reached the entrance of The Blackwell Mansion, three people in police uniforms approached.

Looking at one person's shoulder insignia, it appeared to be the police chief.

When he saw Claire, he immediately opened his phone, as if checking something, then showed an elder's kind smile.

"Are you Claire?"

Behind Claire, Henry also immediately recognized the visitor's identity.

It was the police chief, Carl Walker.

He quickly said cautiously to Brooke, "It seems the Taylor family's influence is even greater than I imagined. They actually got Mr. Walker to personally come arrest that Claire. We should have made her leave earlier."

"Just let her go to prison." Brooke made no effort to hide her malice.

Standing to the side, Rowan's eyes suddenly lit up when she heard this.

Claire, you're finished.

"Mr. Walker, I failed to raise my daughter properly. My fault, my fault." Henry quickly walked toward Carl, showing full deference.