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Ethan slumped,too drained to pester me.
Lana had vanished from the hospital.
“She’s figuring something out.Her family’s strict—she doesn’t get much allowance,”Ethan mumbled,still defending her.
A rich-girl act had attracted countless admirers.
I shoved an IOU into his hand.And he just sat there, motionless.
Next day,on my day off,I went to TechTower.
In front of Ethan and Lana,I called the cops.
“Lana,time to return my stuff.”
I held up a photo of Aunt Laura's necklace and compared it to the one Lana was wearing. There was no doubt - it was the stolen necklace.
“You think you can just squat in Elite Gardens and pretend it’s yours?”
I gave her ill-fitting designer dress,sneering.
“Are you insane,creating a scene like this?”
“Want this guy back?Take him,”Lana shot back,head high despite her guilt.
Ethan gaped,stunned.“Lana,what are you saying?”
I showed the police my ownership papers for Elite Gardens.
“What?All five buildings belong to Jasmine?”
Ethan wobbled like a concussed bird,eyes red,silently accusing Lana.
The police ordered her to remove the necklace.
She refused.
“Ms.Brooks,you’re guilty of trespass and theft.Either cooperate or we’ll use force.”
The office buzzed.
Lana’s rich-girl persona had everyone fooled—until her stolen diamonds and couture were exposed.
“Your mom worked as a cleaner at Elite Gardens.You used her access to live there and rob the owner’s home.Come with us.”
As the police led Lana away,I nudged Ethan.“That $300,000 you thought you had with her cousin—planning to get it back? It could be your dad’s only hope.”
He slammed the desk,charging after her,roaring,“Lana,where’s my $300,000?”
His colleagues ogled me,flexing biceps and flashing smiles.
I rubbed my forehead and bolted.
That night,during my shift,the patient who’d complained about me asked for help to the bathroom,claiming leg pain.
I assisted him without a second though,guiding him to the restroom.
The hall was empty,the overhead light dizzying.
A fruit knife flying towards me.I quickly sidestepped, narrowly avoiding it, but a searing pain shot through my lower back,and my leg numb.
He advanced towards,knife raised,eyes feral.
“You got my daughter arrested.You deserve to die.”
I screamed for help,dragging myself back.
“Lana’s reputation’s ruined—no job,debts chasing her.All your fault!”
He went berserk,stomping my leg,crouching.
His eyes and nose resembled Lana’s.
A white flash—I braced for impact.
No pain.I opened my eyes.A tranquilizer dart was in his neck.
“Are you okay?”Diane helped me up.
Others restrained him,sending him to isolation.
On the way to the break room,Diane explained that the attacker, Old Man Joe, was a retired trucker.
“Bad back ended his long-haul days,so he drank himself numb.I just learned Lana’s his daughter.”
“He used to brag in the ward about her living in elite condos,earning big bucks.But she never visited—not once.”
I sat down,clutching my waist.“Maybe Lana really convinced herself she was a heiress,desperate to get away from him.”
Diane asked,“Why’d Lana pick Ethan?He’s no from a wealthy family.”
I chuckled.She didn’t know the whole story.
With a $20,000 - a - month salary, Ethan had been pretending to live a million - a - year lifestyle.
Coders dress casually—hard to spot the lie.
To Lana,Ethan was a rich guy burning out fast.
Rich but with an uncertain future—perfect for a gold - digger looking for a quick marriage.
