Laurence continued in an even tone, "Additionally, our forensic team has verified the video's authenticity. There are no signs of tampering or editing. The video is genuine and admissible as evidence."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle before continuing, "On the night Ruben died, Kayla accompanied him to the mall to carry her purchases. This has been confirmed by the mall's security footage and statements from sales staff working that evening. Street surveillance shows Ruben stopping at a bank, where he withdrew one hundred thousand dollars in cash for Kayla. The two were last seen driving together toward Cedar Street. The final footage shows their car heading toward the beach."
"Enough! That's enough!" Dexter cut him off, raising a hand in resignation. His voice, though firm, carried the weight of defeat. "Captain Quinn, I trust your department's ability to conduct a thorough investigation. If my daughter is guilty, the law will deal with her appropriately. If she's innocent, the truth will clear her name."
Felicia, standing toward the back of the room, raised a brow, noting the subtext in Dexter's carefully chosen words. Though appearing impartial, his statement left room for doubt, subtly implying Kayla's guilt wasn't certain. His framing of her actions as "cooperating with the investigation" lent ambiguity, a calculated move to protect Kayla.
Dexter stepped forward, facing the gathered reporters with the gravitas of a concerned but just father. "Captain Quinn, take her."
Laurence nodded briefly and gestured to his officers. Two stepped forward, ready to handcuff Kayla.
But Kayla didn't see her father's decision as calculated help; it felt like abandonment. Her eyes widened in despair, and she broke into hysterics, screaming, "Dad! Please don't let them take me! Mom! I didn't do it! I'm innocent!" Myra's eyes filled with tears as she clung to her daughter.
The officers, however, were relentless, prying Myra away, separating mother and daughter as Kayla screamed and sobbed. For the first time, Kayla felt true isolation, like a lone tree battered by a storm, with no one to shield her.
As she was dragged away, her tear-filled eyes scanned the crowd and locked onto Arnold. His expression of disappointment mixed with sorrow felt like a dagger to her heart, shattering her composure.
In rage and despair, she twisted to glare at Felicia, who stood quietly among the onlookers. Her voice, filled with venom, echoed through the room. "Felicia—it's you! You did this to me! This is all your fault!" Her accusations faded as the officers pulled her from the house, but the bitterness lingered.
Myra collapsed onto her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. The ever-elegant Mrs. Fuller, usually composed, was now a picture of despair. Her vulnerability was laid bare. Sebastian quickly shielded her from the cameras.
Dexter, his face streaked with tears, ignored the surrounding chaos. He approached Mina, his movements heavy with regret. Taking her hand, he said in a trembling voice, "It's my fault. I failed you. I failed Ruben. I'm so, so sorry..."
Mina didn't respond. Her face was streaked with tears, but her expression was void of emotion. She had watched her husband's murder countless times on video; each viewing deepened the wound that would never heal.
Dexter wiped his face and subtly nodded to the security team. They began ushering out the reporters, contentedly pleased with their scoop. As the crowd thinned, the Fuller residence grew eerily quiet. Even Arnold and Olivia were politely escorted out.
Only the Fuller family and Mina remained.
Myra broke the silence. Still on the floor, she lunged at Mina, desperately gripping her arm. "Who put you up to this? Who told you to do it?" Myra's voice was sharp, teetering between fury and desperation. "Tell me who!"
Her words echoed through the hall, but Mina remained silent, her face impassive.