Chapter 345:
Watching the tears well in his mother’s eyes, Leland slightly nodded, his resistance crumbling. “I’ll do everything I can.”
Even with his promise and every contact he had left, the only reply he got came from a relative tied to Tessa’s side in the legal system.
That message was blunt: “The Navy Headquarters is running this case. Anyone who tries to interfere is asking for trouble. Want me to help? I’m not ready to risk my life yet. Don’t ask again.”
Stacey spent several days under relentless questioning in the military district prison before finally being brought to trial in a military court.
Throughout the proceedings, no one from the Kirk family came forward, and they didn’t even bother to hire a lawyer for her.
Faced with crushing evidence, she had no choice but to plead guilty. When she realized the charges could add up to a fifteen-year sentence, despair washed over her.
“No, no, please! I can’t go to jail! I’m still young — I can’t do this! I’ll apologize! I’ll say sorry to everyone I hurt! Please, just don’t send me away!”
Following Brad’s instructions, Brock placed a camera in front of her. “You can apologize. If the people you’ve wronged accept it, your sentence might be reduced. Do you even know who you should apologize to?”
Stacey answered quickly, “Yes, I know! I need to apologize to the veterans. To HaloFlow Hospital!”
She dropped to her knees without a shred of dignity and bowed deeply to the camera. After several bows, a pair of polished combat boots appeared before her. Brock stepped aside to salute the man approaching.
Stacey’s entire body trembled as she lifted her gaze. Her pupils shrank sharply when she saw the tall, imposing figure in front of her.
Brad stood over her, his uniform immaculate and his face as cold as if carved from stone. He crouched slowly, his voice low and edged with danger. “You forgot someone.”
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Stacey’s lips trembled. “I don’t know who else.”
“Rylie,” Brad said the name with deliberate weight. “The one you truly owe is the girl whose life you wrecked. The girl whose family you destroyed. The girl you framed and crushed over and over again. You know exactly what I’m talking about, right?”
The color drained from Stacey’s face. She shook her head wildly. “No! That’s not true! She’s the one who took everything from me! She—”
“Enough.” Brad didn’t shout, but the way he spoke made her freeze.
“She carried your entire family while you leeched off her hard work. And now, you’re still trying to escape responsibility? Tell me — wasn’t it you who shattered all of this with your own hands? If you had treated her like a real sister, would you be here right now?”
Without warning, Stacey crawled forward and clutched the hem of Brad’s uniform. Desperation twisted in her eyes. “Mr. Morgan, please! If you’re willing to save me, I’ll do anything!” Her voice dipped low. “I’ll serve you in any way you want — just say the word!”
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