Adeline was out of options. Desperate, she dialed Director Nichols.

That phone call was supposed to be her last resort, a trump card she’d been saving for when she faced that man. But now, saving Mitchell had to come first- her son could not, under any circumstances, go to jail.

She called Director Nichols again and again, but he didn’t pick up. Each time her call went to voicemail, a cold dread settled deeper in her chest.

With nowhere else to turn, Adeline found herself standing outside Director Nichols’ house in the middle of the night.

When he opened the door and saw who it was, Director Nichols just stared at her, speechless. He looked weary, exasperated. “You really think it’s wise to come here, at a time like this?”

Adeline hesitated. “What do you mean?”

He let out a heavy sigh. “You know exactly what I mean.”

He studied her, almost with pity. “Adeline, you’re a smart woman. So how did you end up raising a son like Mitchell? Do you have any idea? No one up top is willing to touch this mess. If I intervened, I’d be finished-my job, my reputation, everything. Do you honestly think I’d risk that for you?”

Adeline’s brow furrowed as realization dawned on her. “So there’s nothing you can do? At all?”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry. The best I can manage is to make sure your son’s time inside isn’t unbearable. That’s all.”

“What?!” The words hit her like a bolt of lightning. She staggered, nearly losing her balance.

“Nichols Director Nichols, please, I’m begging you.”

Adeline dropped to her knees and bowed her head to him, pleading. But it was pointless. Even if he’d once promised her anything, there was no way he’d throw away his entire career for her sake now. He was only a few years away from a dignified retirement; he couldn’t afford even the slightest risk.

Director Nichols didn’t even reach out to help her up. His tone was cold, final. “That’s enough. You need to go. Out of respect for old times, I’m letting you leave quietly. If you refuse, I’ll have security escort you out and you’ll only embarrass yourself.”

Her face twisted with anguish. She knew it was over.

Slowly, Adeline pulled herself to her feet, shoulders slumped, and stumbled out

the door. On her way down the steps, she nearly tripped.

“It’s over… everything’s over,” she muttered, her voice hollow.

Suddenly, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen-Suzan Bagnold.

A flash of disgust crossed her face. After all, it was Suzan’s fault she’d lost her grandchild, and Adeline

haven confronted her about it.

Suzan had the nerve to call?

Still, as if possessed, Adeline answered.

Suzan’s anxious voice tumbled through the phone: “Aunt Adeline, please, don’t hang up I have a way to help Mitchell.”

Adeline froze, her heart skipping a beat. Of course! How could she have forgotten-Suzan’s uncle was Lionel Harper, one of the wealthiest men in the city. If Lionel stepped in, maybe there was hope.

Here, only Lionel had the clout to stand up to someone like Lyman. If Lyman weren’t involved, Director Nichols wouldn’t be so scared, wouldn’t have refused her.

She had to seize this opportunity.

Adeline’s tone transformed instantly, becoming warm and eager. “Hang up on you? Why would I ever do that?”

On the other end, Suzan heard the change in her voice and knew she had Adeline exactly where she wanted her. Now, she could finally reveal her true intentions.