Chapter 9 The second Declan spotted me , his eyes went bloodshot with fury . He jabbed a finger in my direction , his voice shaking with rage . " Thea , I was just looking for you ! How dare you show up here and even try to trash my reputation ?! Tell me , where the hell are you stashing my mother ? " At his words , Sloane whipped around to face him , confusion written all over her face . " Declan , what's happening ? Your mom's gone missing ? " Declan gave a solemn nod , slipping into his grief - stricken performance . Then , right there in front of the cameras broadcasting live , he spoke in a practiced , mournful tone . " Thea has nursed a grudge against me ever since I refused to go along with her schemes . After she demanded a divorce , she deliberately took my mother away with her . I've been ringing my mom daily , but nobody's picking up . She's not at home either . My mother raised me all by herself , and we've always been exceptionally close . She's never vanished like this before . " His eyes reddened further as he pointed at me like I was pure evil demon . " It's her ! She's hiding my mother on purpose ! She confessed it to me herself - she wouldn't let my mom come home ! That woman is heartless ! My mother reated her like her own flesh and blood , and this is how she repays her ? I never imagined Thea could sink this low , not even sparing an elderly woman ! " Sloane instantly wrapped her arm around his , attempting to soothe him while shooting daggers at me with righteous fury . " Thea , you know perfectly well how much Declan adores his mother . How could you pull something ike this ? Do you even have a shred of conscience left ? " Watching them act out their flawless little performance together , I couldn't suppress a laugh . You're absolutely right , " I said , my voice steady . " I have way too much of a conscience . That's precisely why I end up like this . " If I hadn't busted my ass trying to secure justice for my mother - in - law's death , if I hadn't battled tooth and nail , filing three appeals and losing every single one , would I be standing here today , getting dragged and humiliated , while Declan and Sloane painted me as the ' society garbage " ? My words must've hit a nerve , because Declan suddenly lost it . " You vile woman ! " he roared . " You wrecked my relationship with my mother , and now you dare play the victim ? Fine ! If you still refuse to see reason , don't blame me for what comes next ! " He snatched his phone and dialed right there in front of everyone . " Hello , police ? I need to report a kidnapping . My ex - wife , Thea Cross , has abducted my mother , Margaret Ashford . " Within minutes , a squad of officers burst into the banquet hall . Chapter 9 Declan's eyes lit up with satisfaction as he rushed to greet them . " Officers ! That was lightning - fast , I just called , and you're already here ! " Then , jabbing a finger straight at me , he raised his voice so everyone and the live stream could hear . " It's her ! Thea Cross ! She kidnapped my mother , Margaret Ashford ! I haven't been able to reach her for days . Arrest this woman immediately ! Find out where my mother is ! " The crowd erupted instantly . " Yeah ! Arrest that wicked woman ! " " She's nothing but trouble ! " " Even a righteous lawyer like Declan can't escape her schemes ! " " People like her are a plague on this world ! " The air buzzed with anger and disgust , but through it all , the lead detective didn't glance my way . Instead , his expression turned grave as he faced Declan and Sloane . " You're Declan Ashford and Sloane Sutton , right ? " 30th froze for a moment , swapping nervous glances before nodding . ' Yes , that's us , " Declan said quickly . Then , trying to seize back control of the moment , he added eagerly , " Officer , the missing victim is my mother . " I'm genuinely worried sick about her . Please , you have to- " Before Declan could even finish his sentence , Captain Hayes whipped out a pair of handcuffs and clamped them onto both Declan and Sloane . The crowd went dead silent . Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!