(Daisy's POV)

I understood Andrew's unspoken implication.

"I'm sorry, sir. Today was just an accident," I said, my voice steady as I slid the business card back toward him.

Andrew, a darling of high society and a supremely wealthy magnate, might have been the most coveted bachelor in London. But I knew we belonged to entirely different worlds, and that was just a fling.

He retrieved the card, not pushing me.

Relief washed over me as I pushed open the car door, stepping out into the rain. Cold droplets soaked through my dress instantly. His eyes never left me until I got into the building.

But when I turned the key and entered my home, my breath caught in my throat, replaced by a numb, chilling disbelief.

It was as if it had been ransacked by thieves.

The cushions on the sofa had been torn apart, their white stuffing scattered like snowflakes over the floor. The coffee table lay overturned, glass shards mingling with the remnants of milk I hadn't finished earlier that morning, creating a macabre tableau shimmering under the glare of the overhead light. The family photograph of the three of us smiling brightly lay discarded on the floor, now smeared with muddy footprints.

But the worst sight was my mother. She, who was always graceful, sat on the ruins of our once-cozy home and collapsed to the ground, sobbing with her hands covering her face.

"Mom!" I rushed to her side, wrapping my arms around her shaking body. "What's happened?"

"Daisy, you're finally back!" My mother clutched my arm tightly, her nails digging painfully into my flesh as her voice rasped with urgency. "The cops just took your father away. They said they found evidence of his illegal surgery, and they've ransacked the house."

"What?" My voice broke in an agonized cry. "That investigation was still inconclusive days ago. How could this happen?"

Just a week ago, my father, Finn, had been accused of malpractice after the death of a former Beta from Deathmaw Pack during surgery. Yet, due to insufficient evidence, he had narrowly escaped further scrutiny. How could that suddenly happen?

Mom shook her head helplessly, her eyes closing. "I don't know, darling. They refused to explain. They only said it was serious. And, Daisy, your father is probably facing the death penalty."

I collapsed to the floor, shaking, nearly too desperate to utter words. "No! How could that be?"

At that moment, my phone rang. Alan's name flashed on the screen.

As soon as the call went through, the oily voice slithered through the speaker. "Darling, do you like the surprise I prepared for you?"

He was behind it!

I shook with anger as I questioned, "We're over, Alan! What do you mean by that?"

"Oh, my darling. We've been together for so long. Surely, you know me well enough by now." His voice sounded so affectionate as though we hadn't broken up. "You know, I can't live without you."

I gripped the phone and growled in disbelief. "You're engaged now."

He laughed dismissively. "Ah, darling. Lilith means nothing to me compared to you. If you become my mistress, I'll let your father go."

"Dream on!" I screamed, my voice breaking. This monster sought to marry Lilith, fueled by greed and ambition, and now he wanted to drag me down into his abyss as well.

"Daisy, you had better consider this carefully," Allen replied, his tone turning icy. "If you simply cooperate, your father will be home tomorrow. And I will offer you a generous sum that will be enough for a lifetime of extravagance."

"I'd rather die than stoop to that!" I hissed, nearly choking on the loathing rising within me. "My father is innocent. I'll find the proof."

On the other end of the line, Allen's laughter dripped with sarcasm. "Daisy, you remain as naive as ever. With my current influence, even if you manage to uncover evidence, who would dare release your father without my permission?"

Those words enveloped me in a tide of despair. I crumbled to the ground, a chilling wave of despair seeping through my veins.

His final threat came through the line. "I'll be waiting for you tomorrow at our old place. Don't disappoint me—because you know what happens if you do."

The call ended, and the hollow hum of disconnection filled the room like a death knell. I clutched the phone, a tempest of rage, despair, and helplessness raging in my chest.

My mother gripped my wrist tightly and pleaded, "Daisy, you can't go! I won't let you subject yourself to that monster, even if I have to die." Her voice was hoarse, lacing with resentment.

A crushing sense of helplessness hit me so hard that I couldn't breathe right. I bit down hard on my lip, tasting the kinda coppery tang that meant I was probably drawing blood. But when I saw that lost look in my mother's eyes, I knew I had to pull it together. Freaking out would just wreck her even more.

I forced a shaky smile and squeezed her hand. "I won't back down, okay? Don't you worry, Mom. I'll find another way to help Dad out."

It took some doing, but I finally got her settled in her room. Alone now, I couldn't shake the restlessness. I slumped onto the patio lounge chair, letting the night air wash over me.

Staring into that inky black sky, I finally let slip a quiet sigh after way too long sitting there. I made up my mind.

No matter what crap show waited for me, I had to go meet Alan for my father.