I caught Larkin's expression shift into something odd, and pressed him for more, "What is it?"

He hesitated before dropping the bombshell, "One of the guys who attacked you that day confessed. He claims he's the one who offed Evan Dawson!"

Hearing this, I was gobsmacked, my voice rising in disbelief, "No way! He's lying, he's got to be lying! That's just not possible!"

Hannah spun towards Larkin, urgent curiosity in her voice, "What does he look like?"

"Well, he's resembled a little of Jerome height, build, even his penchant for loafers," Larkin detailed meticulously. "Plus, his story about when and where it all went down checks out, down to the nitty-gritty of what he said to the kid."

"That can't be right," I argued stubbornly. "If he killed the kid, one thing's for sure it doesn't add up how the kid would know him. Unless the kid knew him and he knew the kid, how else would the kid cling to his neck and not let go? And where did he pick up the kid from?"

My questions came out in a rapid-fire as I turned to Larkin, "We're not going home, we're heading to Dalton's!"

Fury bubbled up inside me, "This has got to be Jerome's play to take the heat off himself! Don't forget, they've had plenty of days to cook up a story to feed the cops."

"Miss, keep your cool! The police aren't that easily fooled," Larkin tried to soothe my frayed nerves. "The truth will out, and until the cops have it nailed down, they can't lift the warrant on Jerome he's still got to hide from daylight."

"This is total baloney!" I took a deep breath to calm myself. "Any fool can see, he's trying to flip the script, to exonerate the Dawson family. That means he's desperate!"

"He probably didn't see Medsafe Liyah Inc.'s disaster coming," Larkin added. "The boss has pretty much snapped up the shares from those stakeholders. Just one last straw to break Jaylan's back." After a moment's contemplation, I grabbed the phone, "Then let's bring on that last straw."

Dialing Elbert, I got straight to the point, "File for divorce, Mr. Elbert. You've got one day. I'll compile all the evidence I have tonight and send it over. The day after tomorrow, I want a press conference first thing in the morning!"

Next, I rang up Ronan. He answered immediately, concern lacing his voice, "Allie, you okay?"

"Did you heard about what just happened?" I asked, even though I was pretty certain he already knew.

"Yeah. I'm gathering intel on those two dead men-I'm digging for evidence."

My heart leapt he was on the same page. Ronan had anticipated my all-in move.

"I'm about to tighten the screws on him, make him crumble completely. The morning after next, I will announce the divorce, leaving Jaylan with no choice!" I said fiercely.

He understood my play-to stir up the media storm and unleash havoc on Jaylan.

"Alright," Ronan said firmly. "You have my full support."

We fell into silence, the quiet between us speaking volumes. Truth be told, I had a lot to say, but with Ronan, silence said it all.

After an awkward pause, Hannah shot me a questioning glance, and I blurted out to the person on the other end, "You... everything okay with your finances?" "Yeah, all good," Ronan replied softly. "Do you need cash?"

I quickly reassured him, "No, I was just worried you might be stretched thin."

"Not a chance," he said confidently. "Medsafe Liyah Inc. is a piece of cake."

I chuckled, knowing full well his resources were far from limited. My question was more an expression of care, to make my eventual takeover less awkward. "Just wrap it up as fast as you can, make him vanish for good!" I instructed.

A low, magnetic chuckle came from Ronan, "As you wish."

That line, imbued with his charm, sent heat rushing to my cheeks, and I quickly stammered, "Gotta go!"

But just as I was about to hang up, another thought struck me, "Wait..."

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