Landon had beaten up Zoe quite badly. Two of her ribs were broken, so her treatment at the detention


    center was marginally better than Betty''s. At least, Zoe was ced in a single cell, spared from the


    torments of other inmates.


    Zoe coughed up blood every day. She didn''t even have the energy to cause a racket. Every day, she


    lay stiffly in bed and cried. "Help me. I''m going to die... I drank the blood of someone with HIV. I''m


    going to be infected. Save me, please!"


    Strangely enough, Betty''s ruse had an effect. Zoe was gued by constant fear, her days filled with


    bouts of vomiting triggered by the vile words she had heard.


    It was a shame that no one bothered about her.


    Despite her suffering, Zoe endured until the news of her impending medical parole revitalized her. In a


    sudden surge of energy, she sat up,ughing and crying hysterically in front of the prison guard and her


    attorney, Horace Finch, appearing unhinged.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "I knew it! I knew that Grandpa and Mom wouldn''t abandon me! I just knew it!" Zoe eximed, her


    laughter bordering on madness. "Landon tried to end my life... but only in his dreams!"


    Her response was foolish and unrepentant. Even the prison guard frowned in disapproval as he


    watched her.


    Fearing Zoe''s reaction, Horace chose not to inform her of Cornelius'' death. He anticipated her vtile


    response, worrying she might attack him like a rabid animal, necessitating a rabies vine. Instead, he


    calmly informed her, "Ms. Zoe, the police have arranged transportation to the hospital. They''re waiting


    outside. It''s time to go."


    "The police? Didn''t my mom arrange a car for me? Why do I have to ride with the police?" Zoe''s tone


    was disdainful as she red and wrinkled her nose.


    Horace was left speechless. "Ms. Zoe, you are being ced on medical parole. You''re not being


    acquitted. Right now, you are still a criminal suspect. The prosecution will proceed with the case


    against you while you receive treatment at the hospital."


    "You useless piece of shit!" Zoe pointed at his nose, unleashing her frustration. "You can''t even get this


    little bit right. What is our family paying you for?"


    Horace clenched his teeth in anger, silently cursing her.


    Zoe emerged from the detention center, her wrists restrained by handcuffs, nked by two policemen.


    The weather was dreary, with dark clouds dominating the sky, casting a somber mood. Despite the


    dismal atmosphere, Zoe looked up at the sky with anticipation, inhaling the fresh air eagerly; she


    thought that freedom was finally within reach.


    Since she was able to walk out of the detention center, she was convinced that she would escape legal


    consequences unscathed, and it was all because she was Cornelius'' and Penelope''s most beloved


    family member.


    Seated in the police van, escorted by two officers en route to the specified hospital, Zoe felt a sense of


    satisfaction. She reclined in the back seat, closing her eyes and indulging in thoughts of the carefree


    days ahead.


    Did Landon truly believe he could exact revenge so easily? Love had evidently clouded his judgment.


    Not only had he failed to do anything against her, but Cornelius would also never forgive him for his


    ruthlessness. Landon could just forget about being president!


    With these thoughts swirling in her mind, Zoe drifted off to sleep.


    The vehicle drove away from the city and toward the ring road. As the van entered a dark tunnel, an


    osciting surveince camera on the highway abruptly ceased its movement.


    The journey had been uneventful until an ear-piercing screech came from the tires.