A pounding headache gripped Matthew. His pride was his Achilles heel.

How could he stoop so low?

Helga's persistent pleas and gripes left Matthew with no choice but to head to Aurora Jewelers.

Stepping out, he found himself outside the main entrance, amid a flurry of passersby.

Approaching a security guard, he stated, "I'm here for Lilah Phillips.

I'm her dad."

Unexpectedly, the guard looked up, replying, “Head upstairs. Miss Phillips is expecting you."

Matthew's brow furrowed in surprise, a sentiment mirrored by Helga.

She had always believed that, despite Lilah's seemingly icy demeanor, the bond of sisterhood would prevent her from letting Adaline face imprisonment.

The pair made their way to the lavish office on the highest floor.

Helga, not even pausing to knock, barged in. Lilah sat poised at her desk. But seeing her stirred a whirlwind of envy and animosity in Helga. She felt that someone with such poise and stature should have been her daughter. Yet, it was Lilah.

"Help Adaline, Lilah!" Helga implored, bypassing any pleasantries.

Pausing, Lilah looked up from her screen. "Why should I help someone who tried to set me up?" she replied with a hint of sarcasm.

“Adaline never meant to. And while we're on the topic, maybe you should introspect a bit. Had you not overshadowed her all these years, she might not have felt compelled to act out," Helga argued fervently, still firmly believing in Adaline's innocence. She looked at Lilah with thinly veiled disdain.

“If you're so sure, go plead your case to the police. Let's see if they're on board with your logic," Lilah retorted, diving back into her work.

Helga's frustration was palpable. "Listen, Lilah. Adaline's your sister. If she goes to jail, we'll end our lives."

She subtly nudged Matthew with a look.

Feeling cornered, Matthew approached Lilah's desk, trying to appeal to her emotionally. “For Adaline's sake, and ours, please reconsider.

If she goes to jail, I... I'll end it."

Lilah gave a wry smile. She knew her father too well. Matthew was far too self-centered to make such a sacrifice. It was clear he was using this as leverage.

Behind him, Helga looked smug, thinking Lilah would cave under the pressure. If Lilah didn't act now, the public's opinion of her would surely plummet.

"Are you truly willing to go that far, Dad?" Lilah asked with a hint of skepticism.

Matthew, sensing the irony in Lilah's words, raised his voice.

“Absolutely! Lilah, we're family. How can you be so indifferent?"