The police arrived swiftly. Upon learning that the injured party was the heir to the Hills, even the top brass from the police station came along.
"Mr. Hill, are you alright? Should I take you to the hospital first? As for these troublemakers, I'll have my men take them back to the station first." Nelson was in agony everywhere, unable to speak, so he could only nod.
The high-ranking officer instructed his subordinates to take the others away while he personally escorted Nelson and Lillie to the hospital.
"After you," the officer said to Erik and Janelle.
Erik raised an eyebrow but didn't give the officers trouble, simply following them.
Janelle frowned. What does this have to do with me? Why do I have to go to the police station too?
"Miss Rovella, please don't make this difficult for us," an officer said politely. They were just doing their jobs.
Seeing Janelle hesitate, Erik walked back and took her hand. "Let's go. It's fine. We'll just make a quick stop, then I'll take you home." He knew she disliked trouble, but as law-abiding citizens of Huaguo, they naturally complied.
Janelle shot him a withering glare. He really is dangerous. Beating someone up in front of so many people? That's just asking for trouble.
"I just couldn't stand the sight of him," Erik stated. He never bothered explaining his actions to anyone, yet with her, he wanted her to understand.
"Sara, go home. This has nothing to do with you," Janelle told her friend.
"No way! We're in this together!" Sara protested. Was she the kind to abandon her friends? She absolutely refused to leave. She'd never been to a police station before! So, all three were escorted into the police car.
At the hospital, doctors treated Nelson's wounds. He cried out in pain.
Lillie stayed by his side. When the pain became unbearable, he grabbed her hand, his grip so fierce it brought tears to her eyes.
Lillie had called Mrs. Hill on the way. Mrs. Hill rushed over from the company. Seeing her precious son injured like this ignited a fury in her; she wanted to skin the perpetrator alive and drink their blood.
"Nelson, bear with it," Mrs. Hill said, clutching his other hand. "What happened? You were just having dinner at your own restaurant!"
"Auntie," Lillie jumped in, glossing over details, "we ran into Janelle and her boyfriend at the restaurant – that savage you met before. He did this to Nelson." Regardless of the cause, Nelson was injured, so it was Janelle and that man's fault.
"Damn it! I knew we shouldn't have let Janelle come back! The moment she returns, she stirs up chaos!" Mrs. Hill's hatred for Janelle and her mother burned fiercely.
"Mom, it wasn't Janelle's fault. It was that man," Nelson said weakly once his wounds were dressed.
Hearing this, Lillie's face paled. Even now, he defends her? Does he still have feelings for Janelle?
"Nelson! Do you hear yourself? That man was with Janelle! He attacked you, and you say it has nothing to do with her?" Mrs. Hill was furious. "I'm telling you now, stay away from Janelle from now on. That woman is a jinx! Anyone associated with her is cursed!"
Nelson stayed silent. He knew he'd acted impulsively, but seeing that man's hand on Janelle's waist had shattered his composure.
"Nelson," Lillie's voice trembled with hurt, "do you still like Janelle? If you do, we can call off the engagement." How could he treat her like this? She was now the Rovella heiress, an M Institute trainee, with a promising future. If he was still pining for Janelle, she wouldn't waste her time.
Hearing this, Mrs. Hill intervened immediately. "Lillie, don't think such nonsense! You are the only daughter-in-law the Hills will accept. As for Janelle," she turned a cold gaze to the high-ranking officer, "now that she's at the station, she won't be getting out easily."
"Mrs. Hill, rest assured," the officer quickly pledged, "we will enforce the law impartially and ensure Mr. Hill receives justice." The Hills' influence in Graham City was immense; even the city's highest officials showed deference, let alone someone of his rank.
Westin and Amber arrived at the hospital upon hearing about Nelson's injuries. Mrs. Hill's expression soured upon seeing them.
"What are you going to do about that Janelle?" The mere thought of Janelle flaunting herself made Mrs. Hill seethe.
"Rest assured, dear in-law," Westin declared, showing his loyalty. "Lillie is my only daughter. Blue Whale will be hers in the future. As for Janelle, I will have her deported. She will never be allowed to return."
"See that you do. If you can't control your daughter, don't blame me if I have to step in... harshly," Mrs. Hill warned.
Nelson frowned at their words. He didn't actually want Janelle gone; he wanted her to stay, even if he couldn't marry her.
"Mom, it really wasn't Janelle's fault. Don't target her."
"Nelson, you are my son. I won't let these messy affairs jeopardize your future. Focus on preparing for your Institute assessment!" Mrs. Hill then addressed the bodyguards behind her. "You lot, stay with the young master from now on!"
"Yes, Madam!" they chorused.
Mrs. Hill had company matters to attend to and left.
"Westin, go to the station," Amber instructed after Mrs. Hill departed.
"Why? That wretched girl never treated me as her father!" Westin fumed. Her return had only brought chaos. Now she even wanted to steal his Blue Whale? Unbearable.
"Go to reclaim what's yours!" Amber urged. "Blue Whale is what you built with sweat and blood. Are you willing to let 36% of its equity stay in Janelle's hands?"
Westin's eyes lit up. "That is a good opportunity. I'll go now. You head home later." Janelle disliked Amber; it was better she didn't come along.
"Alright."
After Westin left, Lillie approached Amber, her face stormy. "Mom, what was Nelson thinking? He clearly hasn't forgotten that little bitch Janelle! He got beaten half to death and still defended her! He has no regard for me!"
"Enough! Getting angry is useless," Amber snapped. "You need to learn how to truly capture a man's heart. He's your fiancé now! If you can't hold onto him, that's on you. Forget about her for now. Don't provoke her. Focus entirely on preparing for your Institute assessment. Once you're a member of the Institute, people will be lining up to flatter you."