Chapter 4

Ava had caused serious trouble. At a bar, she had smashed a man’s head open because she claimed he had harassed her boyfriend and that she wanted to teach him a lesson.

But the man came from a powerful family, and Victoria was terrified.

I never imagined Ryan could sink so low.

He had given our daughter a birthday present in advance—a brand-new tablet. He took her to an amusement park, then brought her to the hospital that evening.

"As long as you admit that you did it, I’ll give you whatever you want from now on."

My daughter’s eyes instantly reddened. "Dad, am I just Ava’s scapegoat?"

"No. You already helped Ava take the blame once. Nothing will happen."

"Assault causing serious injury can lead to prison, and the other person—"

"Enough with the questions." Ava lay on the hospital bed and spoke impatiently. "I already told you he was useless. That tablet was a complete waste."

So the gift Ryan had given my daughter was something he had bought for someone else and handed down to her.

Victoria panicked and immediately knelt before Ryan.

"Ryan, what are we going to do? She’s my only daughter. If she goes to prison, our family is finished."

"Don’t panic. I’ll talk to her again."

Ryan walked over to our daughter and patiently tried to persuade her.

"Dad will do everything he can to help you. Just help me this once."

"I don’t want to."

"I have an idea." Victoria hardened her heart. "Then beat her until she agrees."

With that, she moved to attack my daughter.

Ryan made no attempt to stop her.

"You’re useless anyway. It’s good if you can be useful for once. What are you resisting for?"

"Come on. Hold her hands down and make her sign the confession!"

When I arrived, they were holding my daughter down and trying to force her to sign the so-called confession.

Tears covered Mia’s face. She kept murmuring "Dad." She was so terrified that she couldn’t say anything else.

"Stop right now! Ryan, I’ve never seen a father like you!"

"Just this once. The last time. Mia, please help Dad."

Ryan held our daughter’s hands and looked at her pleadingly.

I never wanted my daughter to face such a cruel reality, but Ryan had ripped the bloody truth open right in front of her.

As we argued, the police entered the room. There had been new developments in the theft case.

"Ms. Victoria, you are suspected of providing false testimony. Please come with us to assist in the investigation."