Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)
Chapter 454

The following morning dawned with the abrupt pounding on my door. Before I could even rub the sleep from my eyes, Hannah burst into my room, breathless with urgency. "Allie... something's happened!" she gasped.

Half-awake, I jolted upright, my heart thundering in my chest. "What? What's happened? Who's in trouble?"

"Hazel's dead!"

"What?" I was fully alert now, my eyes wide with shock. "Hazel's dead? How did she die?"

The news hit me like a sledgehammer.

"She seemed fine yesterday, how on earth could she be dead? What exactly happened?"

Hannah's face was a mix of emotions, unreadable. "It's a long story, but this looks like the end of the road for Zora!"

"What do you mean? What's Zora got to do with this?" I was utterly confused.

Hannah cracked a spiteful smile, her teeth gritted. "It's all Zora's fault. Or in other words, Jaylan's own undoing. His mother died at Zora's hand, and that's another life in her hand. Jaylan won't let this slide!"

Hannah was practically vibrating with excitement, but I was still trying to piece it all together.

"Hold on, girl! Slow down, you've lost me. Start from the beginning, what exactly happened?"

Hannah took a deep breath and came to sit beside me, her expression turning serious. "It all started with yesterday's fiasco, beginning with Jessica. Remember how her brothers gave her a thrashing the night before?

She was cooped up all day yesterday, stewing in her anger. Then she went to the hospital to check on her injuries and decided to visit her mother. She was lashing out at everyone like a mad dog, and just then Hazel woke up, thirsty. She ordered Zora to get her some water.

Zora thought taking care of Hazel at the hospital was a sign of Jaylan's favor and didn't take kindly to Jessica's attitude. They exchanged some harsh words, and Zora took the opportunity to mention that you had come by and even took Hazel's wallet!"

Hannah was laying it all out without pause, and I didn't interrupt.

She recounted every detail. "That set Jessica off. Because she had no clue about the wallet!"

I pondered for a moment, skeptical. "That's odd, then who brought the wallet to Hazel in the first place? Jesper?"

Hannah waved it off. "Doesn't matter who brought it, the wallet was the spark that lit the fire!"

Seeing my still puzzled look, she urged, "Look, Allie, just wash up quick, and I'll show you the surveillance footage. That'll clear everything up!"

I stared at her in disbelief. "Quincy's cameras are still rolling?"

"Yep! Go freshen up, and I'll fetch us some food!" Hannah said, dashing out.

I quickly washed up, and by the time I was done, Hannah was back with some breakfast.

"Let me see it," I said, taking a sip of milk and snatching Hannah's phone from her hands.

She had already queued up the footage. The screen showed Zora and Jessica's heated exchange.

The video was crystal clear; Jessica's bruised face was evident, her demeanor petulant and reluctant. As I watched Jessica press Zora, "Who told Aaliyah about my mom's accident?"

Zora glanced at Jessica and replied confidently, "That woman's like a radar; nothing gets past her. She must've seen the online reports about Hazel's condition worsening. Who needs to tell her anything?" Zora sounded convincing, leaving no room to suggest that her slip of the tongue had caused my involvement.

Jessica hissed with venom, "She's everywhere, as lively as ever. That damn bitch!"

When Zora heard Jessica's insult aimed at me, her eyes gleamed, and she quickly added fuel to the fire...