He sat alone in the car for a long time, lost in thought, before finally dialing a number. "Mom, how has your health been lately?"

"It's a miracle you even remember you have a mother," Mrs. Amanda's tone was loaded with meaning.

Orion replied, "I know you don't believe what I told you, but I have a way to make you see the truth. I'll show you exactly what's going on shortly."

Mrs. Amanda fell silent for a moment. "Alright. I thought you had forgotten about this."

"You weren't feeling well the past few days. I was worried the shock would affect your health."

Hearing this, Mrs. Amanda sighed softly. "Then I'll wait for your news."

After hanging up, a pang of sadness hit her. She was just a stepmother, after all.

So many people had reminded her of that fact over the years.

But her stepson, Orion, was incredibly capable, and she was fiercely proud of him.

Even when they argued over the Sinclair family, Orion had never publicly disrespected her.

He was the undisputed heir to the Everhart empire. If he decided not to give his stepmother any respect, there was absolutely nothing she could do about it.

That was why she had agreed to let Orion prove his claims, wanting to see if the Sinclairs had genuinely been deceiving her all these years!

Just then, Mrs. Amelia walked over with a container of food. "Time to eat."

"I'm being discharged today. You didn't have to go through the trouble of bringing me food. We have staff at home for that," Mrs. Amanda said, gently taking Amelia's hand. Ever since her husband passed away, her best friend had been her rock.

She deeply cherished their bond.

Caught between her son's suspicions and her best friend's devotion, Mrs. Amanda felt utterly torn.

Amelia's eyes reddened. "You're the most important person to me. Of course, I'm going to take care of you."

"But I heard the Sinclair family is dealing with some major headaches right now. Shouldn't you be busy with that?"

Amelia looked down, quickly masking her emotions. "It's just business. Sophia has been stepping up lately. Under her leadership, the Sinclairs will definitely reach new heights."

"Sophia is a wonderful girl."

"She really is. I always say a man needs a capable wife by his side. A trophy wife who can't ft a finger. Odo a family any good the long run."

Amanda easily caught the underlying hint in her friend's words. "I'm sure you'll find Sophia the perfect match."

"You know perfectly well who Sophia has her heart set on, but alas, it's out of my hands."

Amelia left the implication hanging.

Amanda offered a polite smile. "But when it comes to Orion, I truly have no say. Things aren't like they used to be."

Disappointment flared in Amelia's chest.

She had assumed that playing the devoted nurse lately would soften Amanda enough to push for a marriage between Sophia and Orion.

Apparently, it still wasn't enough.

Amanda looked at her friend. "Is there anything you need my help with?"

"There is, actually... but I feel terrible asking you."

"What is it? Do you need an investment?"

Amelia shook her head. "It's not

about money.

It's about that car

crash from years ago. Lemira and

the Langstons are planning to go to the police and reopen the

love to

investigation. When that happens, the Sinclair family will inevitably be dragged into it. It'll completely ruin us."

Amanda wasn't surprised in the slightest.

She stated plainly, "You never should have done something so illegal in the first place."

"I know I was wrong! But Lemira

won't let it go like a rabid dog. And I didn't mean for it to happen-it was

all that driver acting on his own!

Please as my dearest friend you have to help me

"How exactly am I supposed to help you? That incident is the reason Orion still holds a grudge against me."

Amanda still carried immense regret over the fallout.

Desperate, Amelia began to sob. "If you don't help me, I have nowhere else to turn!"

"I'll tell you what. Turn yourself in to the police."

The fake tears vanished instantly, leaving Amelia's face entirely frozen. Turn herself

in?

Had she heard that correctly?