Chapter 940:
“Everything I say today is the truth. I swear it by my parents’ memory and my love for her.”
Rylie blinked, stunned into silence by the sudden confession.
Gatlin shot her a quick look, eyebrows lifting. “Wait—he just switched sides? Either way, this just made things easier for me.”
Deandre leaned back slightly, thoughtful. “The fact that he once took a shotgun for his daughter proves he wouldn’t sacrifice her safety just to avoid her anger. A father like that doesn’t only act out of love—he protects her even if she misunderstands him, even if she hates him for it.”
Rylie frowned, working through the implication. “So someone was clearly watching out for Ella on his behalf.” She glanced at Deandre. “Do you think it was Felix or Marcus?”
Deandre shook his head slowly. “I don’t know who it was, but it doesn’t matter. We have every piece of evidence—and all the witnesses—we need.”
With Gatlin’s sharp defense and the pressure of public scrutiny, the trial finally came to an end. The judge ruled that Rylie and Deandre’s actions in the restricted area were nothing short of heroic and entirely in self-defense, clearing them on the spot. Even if the judge had been inclined to favor the wealthy plaintiffs, the eyes of so many observers made any hint of bias a career-ending risk.
With the verdict in their favor, Rylie headed to the restroom and splashed cold water on her face. The steady rush of the tap echoed through the quiet space—just as a sharply dressed woman stepped inside.
The woman moved to the sink beside Rylie, pretending to touch up her makeup while her eyes quietly swept over her.
Still distracted by the courtroom chaos, Rylie didn’t fully notice the woman until she was right next to her. That sharp, dismissive stare left her uneasy.
Rylie dried her hands with a tissue and started toward the door.
gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․𝑐𝓞𝓂 brings great stories
The woman paused mid-gesture, watching Rylie’s reflection in the mirror as she walked away. A low, bitter murmur slipped from her lips. “So he caved to his father for her. She’s got skill, but nothing more.”
Rylie and Deandre stepped out into a drenching downpour, yet they were met by a sea of umbrellas and cheering faces, unwavering in their support. Rylie shot Deandre a quick glance, and a shared smile passed between them.
“Thanks for being there for me,” she said softly.
He draped an arm over her shoulders. “Always. I’ve got you.”
Outside, the Sweetberry crew erupted with excitement, waving and calling out. Alyssa’s voice rang above the noise. “All those late nights working on the outfits paid off! Perfect! Melany, your fit on Deandre was spot-on—your attention to detail is amazing!”
Melany offered a tight, amused smile, keeping to herself that she’d mostly memorized his measurements by touch.
Another teammate jumped in with a grin. “We can’t let this pass without a celebration! Victory party, anyone?”
Just then, a sleek black Maybach rolled up beside Rylie. The door opened, and a man stepped out, holding a black umbrella. His sharp features, broad shoulders, and sculpted arms beneath a tailored suit radiated effortless charm. Reporters snapped photos almost on instinct.
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