It was the first time Lucille had encountered the police seeking her out. Though internally gripped by fear, she fought to maintain composure. Clenching her fist, she took a deep breath, attempting to steady herself.

"I am Lucille Powell, Officer. May I ask why you are looking for me?" she managed to utter, her voice tinged with a tremor. She dug her nails deep into her flesh, desperate to remain composed despite the mounting dread.

The police officer explained, "We are here to investigate a report that suspects you may be connected to a pre-murder case. We kindly request your presence at the station to assist us in our investigation."

The news struck Lucille with disbelief, leaving her momentarily stunned. She could only stare at the officers in shock, the weight of the situation threatening to overwhelm her. Eventually, her legs gave way, but Ethan swiftly caught her before she hit the ground.

Wearing a stern expression, Ethan addressed the police, "Officer. I believe there must be some misunderstanding here. Lucy is a compassionate doctor. How could she possibly be involved in a murder case? Spreading such allegations would irreparably damage her reputation. I urge you to conduct a thorough investigation."

Before the police officer could respond, a shrill voice pierced through the air, interrupting their conversation. "They are not mistaken! She is a murderer!"

Lucille's gaze shifted forward, and her heart sank as she saw Claudia and Lucas stepping out of the elevator, striding purposefully toward them. Their faces were contorted with disdain.

Claudia stopped in front of Lucille, her eyes bloodshot with anger, and delivered a sudden slap without warning. Stunned and still feeling the effects of her injury, Lucille failed to evade the blow, staggering backward and clutching her cheek in confusion. Gasping, she held her reddened cheek, her mind racing with bewilderment. 'Why is she accusing me of something I didn't do?'

Reacting swiftly, Ethan caught Lucille as she almost fell, preventing further harm. Anger surged within him as he observed the palm print on her cheek and the trace of blood at the corner of her mouth. He glared at Claudia, swiftly positioning himself protectively in front of Lucille.

Consumed by fury and devoid of rationality, Claudia was determined to make Lucille suffer. She lunged toward her, intent on inflicting more harm. However, before her hand could reach Lucille's face, Ethan seized her wrist and forcefully pushed her back, using all his strength to keep her at bay.

Claudia stumbled and fell to the floor, her expression one of disbelief. Lucas rushed to her aid, glaring at Ethan, who remained unfazed by his presence.

Ethan's face, usually composed, darkened like charcoal, his jaw repeatedly clenching in anger. "Mrs. Reed, let me remind you that we are in a hospital. I can file a lawsuit against you for assaulting one of our esteemed doctors. While the Reed family may be one of the most affluent in this city, your current behavior does not befit your background. Do you really want to become tomorrow's headline?"

Claudia bit her lip, realizing the consequences of her actions. She suppressed her seething anger, mindful of her social standing. However, it didn't stop her from issuing a warning to Lucille.

"Merely being protected by someone won't shield you from legal consequences, Lucille. I will ensure that you rot in hell!" Claudia's eyes blazed with intense hatred as she glared at Lucille, wishing to tear her apart.

"Mom, you know me well! How could I possibly have killed Grandpa Ricky?" Lucille gasped, unable to comprehend the accusation from the woman she had considered her mother for the past three years. Although she and Lucas had recently divorced, it didn't negate their three years together. How could they brand her as a murderer without conducting a proper investigation?

Instead of softening her stance, Claudia's anger intensified, her ears buzzing at the mention of 'mom.'

"Don't call me mother! You are no longer my son's wife, and I refuse to acknowledge a murderer like you as my daughter-in-law! You are vile! Why did you kill him? He showered you with love, and you repaid him by poisoning him to death!" she bellowed.

Lucille felt a piercing pain in her heart as she heard hatred in Claudia's words. Tears welled in her eyes as she realized they didn't believe her innocence. Trembling, she turned to Lucas, her voice quivering as she asked, "Do you also believe that I killed Grandpa?"

Desperate to know if there was still a glimmer of trust in Lucas, Lucille searched his eyes, hoping to find some belief in her innocence. She valued his opinion because, despite the false pretense of their marriage, her feelings for him had always been genuine. The memories they shared couldn't simply vanish overnight. She hoped that he would at least have faith in her even if he didn't love her anymore.

But Lucas responded with a disdainful snigger, his gaze ice-cold as he looked at her tear-stained face. There was no trace of pity in his eyes; instead, deep-seated loathing and disgust emanated from him.

"I wouldn't have thought you capable of such a thing, but the evidence was undeniable," Lucas said, his voice filled with contempt.

Confused and desperate to defend herself, Lucille tried to speak up. "I don't-"

But Lucas cut her off, gripping a white bottle tightly as he sneered. "There's a video of you poisoning Grandpa. This bottle was found in your room, and the toxin identified matches what was found in Grandpa's body. Now, how can you expect me to believe in your innocence?"

His words echoed through the entire lobby, drawing the attention of onlookers. He pulled out his phone and played the surveillance video, further shattering Lucille's faith in herself.

Lucille refused to accept the truth of Lucas's accusations. She knew deep down that she had done nothing wrong. However, doubt began to creep in as the video played before her eyes. She watched herself surreptitiously open the bottle, take two white pills, and mix them into a glass of water, which she then gave Richard Reed. The serene expression on his face quickly turned into agony, and he collapsed, unconscious.

Shock paralyzed Lucille as her pupils dilated. She moved closer to the screen, desperately searching for any sign that someone else was impersonating her in the video, but there was nothing to suggest otherwise. The woman in the video was undeniably her.

'How is this possible?! I have no recollection of it! How could I have done such a thing?' Her mind screamed in denial, refusing to accept the horrifying truth. "No, it can't be... I didn't do it," she murmured, shaking her head in disbelief. The evidence was irrefutable, but she couldn't reconcile it with the person she knew herself to be.

Anxiety and confusion overwhelmed her, causing her legs to weaken, and she collapsed to the floor. Everything felt like a nightmare she couldn't wake up from. Just moments ago, she had discovered Lucas's affair with her sister, and now she found herself accused of a murder she had no memory of committing. Tears streamed down her face as she yearned for it all to be a figment of her imagination. She buried her face in her hands and wept silently, hoping everything would return to normal when she looked up.

But no matter how desperately she wished for it, the reality before her eyes remained unchanged. The weight of it all crushed her spirit.

Impatience flickered across Lucas's face as he observed Lucille's broken figure on the floor. His voice turned icy as he declared, "You're wicked. You killed Grandpa, who only ever showered you with love. The only way to atone for your sin, Lucille, is with your own life."

His words jolted Lucille out of her grief-stricken trance. She stared at him in disbelief, unable to fathom that he could desire her death. A lump formed in her throat, making it difficult to breathe.

"Lucille Powell, you are under arrest for the murder of Mr. Richard Reed," announced the police officer as he restrained her with handcuffs.

Lucille didn't resist, as if her spirit had been drained from her. Her eyes were empty, clouded with self-blame and confusion. "How could I have killed Grandpa?" she repeated in a dazed and broken voice.

Meanwhile, a man stood silently, observing the unfolding events at a distance. Henry's brow furrowed as he witnessed Lucille's vacant expression, her life force seemingly extinguished. A profound glimmer of determination flashed in his eyes.

Later that day, Kevin made his way toward Henry's office, his excitement palpable. Inside the elevator, he couldn't help but fidget, his anticipation growing with each passing floor. He had just received Lucille's background report and was eager to present it to Henry.

And why wouldn't he be? This was the first time in his career that his boss had shown an interest in a woman. As soon as Henry had given him the task, Kevin devoted himself to being the best wingman. He had delved into Lucille's background, tirelessly gathering every information he could find. He had compiled a comprehensive dossier on Lucille in hours, covering her life from childhood to adulthood.

However, as he read through the report, Kevin couldn't help but feel a tinge of dissatisfaction with what he had discovered. It turned out that Lucille had recently been involved in a murder case. Nevertheless, since she was the woman who had captured Henry's interest, he decided to keep his reservations to himself. As long as her presence could quash the rumors about Henry's involvement with other men, Kevin was willing to overlook any flaws she might have.

With a proud smile, Kevin held up the tablet, thrilled about his boss's blossoming romance, and stepped out of the elevator into Henry's office.

"President Moore, here's the information you requested," Kevin announced, presenting the iPad as a precious treasure. He looked at Henry expectantly, silently seeking approval. However, Henry simply accepted the device without saying a word.

As Henry scrolled through the information, his brows furrowed, and his expression quickly turned cold. In an instant, the temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees, and Kevin couldn't help but wonder if there had been a mistake in the report.

Henry's lips turned downward, and the icy look in his eyes sent a shiver down Kevin's spine. His natural coldness and aloofness amplified whenever he wore that expression. Kevin often felt like he was playing a game of charades, trying to decipher Henry's thoughts. He knew that when something upset the boss, it could have severe consequences—people fainting or even having heart attacks. Right now, Kevin feared he might pass out from the tension in the room.

Meanwhile, at the police station, Lucille remained silent, unresponsive to the officers' questions and statements. Her gaze was vacant as if their words couldn't penetrate her mind. After a considerable amount of time trying to extract information from her in vain, the police decided to lock her in a cell.

It was well past midnight when Lucille was confined in a dark and damp room, sending chills down her spine. Huddled in a corner, she held onto her knees, trembling from the cold. Until that moment, she had refused to accept what had transpired.

Just yesterday, she had been the respected young lady of the Reed family, attending her beloved Grandpa Ricky's funeral. But now, everything had crumbled, and she had been swiftly convicted of murder. How could she come to terms with such a life-altering turn of events?

Desperation and dread coursed through Lucille's veins, suffocating her. She covered her ears as Lucas' accusatory words echoed in her mind, repeating like a relentless curse.

"I didn't do it," she murmured, shivering in denial. Yet, no matter how desperately she tried to convince herself otherwise, the damning video evidence captured her committing the act. It was crystal clear that she had killed Richard.

Lucas' words acted as a haunting mantra, growing louder with each passing moment, gradually convincing her that she had taken the life of the man who had cared for her.

Outside, rain poured relentlessly, accompanied by the rumble of distant thunder in the dark gray sky. A lightning bolt struck the ground, illuminating the gloomy room. Lucille almost screamed as she saw Richard's anguished expression before her.

He stared at her, his presence eerie, and spoke with an ethereal voice, "You're so heartless, Lucy. Why did you kill me?"

Wide-eyed and filled with desperation, she shook her head vigorously, trembling. "Grandpa, please believe me! I didn't kill you..."

At that moment, a chilling pair of hands wrapped around her throat, squeezing life out of her. She struggled, unwilling to face the apparition, but was compelled to meet its eyes.

"You took my life, so now you shall pay with your own!" it bellowed in her face.

Lucille was paralyzed at her breaking point as tears streamed down her cheeks like a waterfall. She could no longer bear the psychological torment. With a resolve born out of desperation, she decided and offered a surrendering smile.

"Alright, Grandpa. If sacrificing my life is the only way for you to forgive me, then I'll do it..." Lucille declared resolutely. Rising to her feet, she bit her lip and forcefully smashed her head against the wall. A searing pain overwhelmed her senses, and she instantly lost consciousness, collapsing to the floor with blood trickling from her head.

As Lucille eventually regained consciousness, she was no longer in a prison cell but in a dimly lit room. Her mind was still fuzzy from her two concussions within twenty-four hours. She couldn't immediately comprehend her surroundings.

'Could this be hell?' she pondered, but something felt off compared to what she had seen depicted on television. She glanced around, noting the absence of fire and wandering ghosts that she had imagined hell to be filled with. "Are you awake?" a hair-raising voice suddenly pierced through the room, causing Lucille to freeze. A chilling sensation crept from the depths of her heart as she listened to the cold and piercing tone. She had never encountered such a voice except in her imagination of the lord of hell. Trying to maintain composure, she forced herself to speak. "Your grace, the lord of hell?" she greeted, bowing slightly, instinctively attempting to show respect to avoid potential torture.

'Lord of hell?' Henry repeated silently in his head. His lips twitched at the absurdity of Lucille's assumption. 'Does she think this well-air-conditioned room is hell? Is she truly that naive? When did hell become a place of comfort?'

"Why did you commit suicide?" He asked in a frigid tone, questioning Lucille's actions.

Her body stiffened, and memories of her untimely demise flooded her mind, eliciting a bitter smile at the corner of her lips. The pain she had endured resurfaced, creating a suffocating sensation in her chest. Letting out a mocking laugh, she replied, assuming that the lord of hell was merely going through the motions before condemning her to punishment. "The husband I loved and cherished for three years betrayed me by having an affair with my sister. Isn't it ironic? I placed my trust in them, and they shattered it. Well, I've grown accustomed to Rica taking everything from me, so I shouldn't be surprised that Lucas caught her eye as well," Lucille's voice trembled with a mix of anger, pain, and suffering. Tears streamed down her face as she continued, "But their betrayal pales in comparison to the crime I've committed. I, I killed the only person who cared about me..."

Overwhelmed by emotions, Lucille could no longer contain her tears as she broke down completely. "The only way I can seek redemption is by offering my life."

In her distressed state, a glimmer of sanity returned to her mind, prompting her to ask a crucial question. "Are you certain that I was the one who murdered him?" Henry pursed his lips, squinting his eyes as he contemplated her words.

"What do you mean?" Lucille asked, bewildered by his response.

"Your grace, do you know the truth? Do you know who killed him?" She pleaded desperately, searching the darkness for any sign of his presence.

Henry moved away, and a sudden searing pain shot through her thigh, causing her to hiss in agony. "Does it hurt?" he questioned, his tone cold and detached.

"It hurts!" Lucille instinctively responded, but then a realization struck her like lightning. Her eyes widened, confirming her suspicion. "I didn't die?"

"What do you think?" he retorted sarcastically, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Realizing she was alive and not in hell, Lucille's guard was up. She retreated until her back was pressed against the headboard. "Then who are you? Why did you pretend to be the devil?"

Henry couldn't help but laugh. "Did I ever claim to be the devil or the lord of hell?"

Lucille fell silent, feeling a mixture of confusion and frustration. 'You certainly made it seem that way!' she silently retorted.

Gradually, the gravity of her situation sank in. 'If I'm still alive and this isn't hell, then who is this stranger?'

Hugging her knees tightly, she mustered her courage and cautiously inquired, "If we're not in hell, then who are you? And what do you plan to do with me?"

"I'm the person who can help you get out of jail."

Something profound brooded in Henry's eyes as he flashed a smile, giving his typically expressionless face a devilishly charming vibe.

Lucille gasped, taken aback by his unexpected statement. At that moment, a glimmer of hope ignited within her. However, the weight of her guilt quickly pulled her back to reality. She shook her head. Her voice filled with remorse. "No. I don't deserve that. I killed Grandpa Ricky, and I'm willing to accept the punishment of the law."

Her guilt was overwhelming, and her conscience tormented her relentlessly. Despite not being blood-related, Richard had treated her as his own granddaughter, and yet she had taken his life. She couldn't forgive herself for such a heinous act, and she believed she could find any semblance of peace only by paying for her own life and seeking Richard's forgiveness.

Listening to her words, Henry scoffed, his tone laced with both disdain and frustration. "You're a fool and a coward. Why can't you be brave, just for once? Are you truly so blind as not to see that something is amiss in this case? If you really killed Mr. Reed, why wasn't it exposed before your divorce?"

Henry inched closer. His voice lowered to a whisper as silence enveloped them. "You dare commit suicide, but you don't dare to live. Someone is blatantly framing you, yet you do nothing. Tell me, don't you want to uncover the truth? Prove your innocence and bring justice to his death."

As his words sank into her mind, Lucille's heart trembled. She, too, had doubts about the video's authenticity, but the uncanny resemblance of the woman in the clip had shaken her to the core. Moreover, she had no recollection of committing such an act. Yet, she couldn't fathom that someone would be so cruel as to plot against her. Their plan seemed foolproof, and the evidence stacked against her was indisputable. She felt trapped, with no way to escape.

However, this enigmatic man before her appeared to possess a formidable background. A glimmer of hope sprouted within her heart.

Taking a deep breath, Lucille mustered her strength and grasped Henry's shirt, pulling him closer as she pleaded, desperation in her voice. "I want to live... but I don't know what to do. Can you help me? Please, save me."

'If someone was manipulating events behind the scenes, orchestrating Grandpa's death just to frame me, I won't forgive them. I will do whatever it takes to bring him the justice he deserves,' her determination hardened, her fist clenched.

"Save you? But they have conclusive evidence. I'm afraid it won't be easy to win this case," Henry stated matter-of-factly, his voice devoid of any false promises.

Fury erupted in Lucille's heart. She knew the path ahead wouldn't be easy, but he had ignited a glimmer of hope within her, and she refused to let this opportunity slip away.

"Listen. I don't know who you are, but I believe you can help me navigate this ordeal. I'm willing to do anything you ask except take another life."

"Don't worry. I'm a law-abiding citizen. I won't ask you to kill someone or commit arson," he whispered, pulling her into his arms. Lucille's body involuntarily shuddered as his lips brushed against her ear.

"I only want you..." he whispered seductively.

Heat flushed her cheeks as their bodies pressed together, and his distinct scent filled her nostrils.

She never expected him to make such a request. Judging by his voice, it was clear that he wasn't an older man. So why was he interested in her? Even as a divorced woman, she hadn't considered remarriage, especially now that she was imprisoned.

Lucille suppressed the disappointment welling up within her. She had hoped for safety, but she knew there was no such thing as a free ride in this world. She refused to stoop so low as to sell herself just to leave that wretched prison.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed him away and declined, "Thank you, but I'm not interested in your offer. I believe there is still justice in this world, and eventually, I will be proven innocent and set free."

Henry couldn't help but laugh at her naïve response. "I thought you said you'd do anything? I didn't expect you to be so innocent. Do you really think those who want you dead will let you walk away?"

She was left speechless. Her head dropped, and she nervously fiddled with her fingers. "I believe that good will always triumph over evil," Lucille meekly replied.

"Let's see if your naïve belief can save you," he snorted, turning on his heel and striding towards the door. "But mark my words. You'll eventually beg me."

Lucille bit her lip and swallowed the lump in her throat. She weakly collapsed onto the bed, listening to his footsteps fade away. Before long, exhaustion overcame her, and she drifted back to sleep.

The next day, Lucille groaned in pain as someone kicked her leg. A sharp voice jolted her awake.

"Get up!"

Her head throbbed with a sharp ache from the sudden movement. Rubbing her forehead, she looked at the person in front of her, and her pupils dilated upon seeing the face of a female correctional officer. She surveyed her surroundings and realized she was back in her cell.

Inhaling the musty scent, she suddenly wondered if everything had been a dream. Could the mysterious man she encountered last night have been a figment of her imagination?

With a furrowed brow, she checked her thigh and saw a purple bruise on her fair, smooth skin.

A cold chill ran down her spine as she realized the man had returned her to jail while unconscious.

'Who is he? What kind of background does he have to wield such power?' she wondered. He must be a prominent figure in the city if he could easily manipulate her freedom.

"Why are you still sitting there, lost in thought? Hurry up and prepare for your court trial!" The female correctional officer grew impatient, pulling Lucille to her feet and pushing her out of the cell.

Handcuffed by the police, Lucille was led to a police car. She was shoved inside, and soon they arrived at the courtroom.

Lucille stood before the court, her hands restrained and treated like a criminal. As she scanned the audience, she saw nothing but disdain on the faces of their acquaintances, except for Larica. She searched for her parents but felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. They were absent.

'I can understand the Reed family not wanting to see me, but even my parents didn't come.' A bitter smile slowly formed on her lips as she pondered the cruelty of her parents.

While the prosecution and defense lawyers argued, Lucille sat in her seat, lost in a daze. Though she heard their words, they didn't register in her mind, and it was only when the judge slammed the gavel that Lucille snapped back to reality.