Chapter 7: The End of Their Escape

The next morning, the news exploded across every major media outlet.

"Renowned physician suspected of issuing a fake death certificate."

"Hospital launches internal investigation after malpractice allegations."

Mandy's face appeared on every news channel.

The hospital immediately terminated her employment and handed all evidence over to the authorities.

Meanwhile, Phineas and Tiffany weren't doing any better.

The illegal lenders Dylan had borrowed from discovered that their debtor had supposedly 'died.'

Unable to collect from him, they turned their attention to his parents.

The Lovell residence was surrounded before noon.

"Where's the money your son owes us?"

"We don't have it!" Tiffany cried.

"Then sell the house!"

"It isn't ours!"

"Then pay with your lives!"

The terrified couple called me repeatedly.

I finally answered after nearly twenty missed calls.

"Celeste! Please save us! Those people are trying to kill us!" Tiffany sobbed.

"Save you?" I laughed softly. "Didn't Dylan leave everything to me? Unfortunately, he also left me all his debts. Since I refuse the inheritance, those debts legally belong to his next of kin—you two."

Silence.

Then came Phineas' furious roar.

"You ungrateful woman!"

"No," I replied calmly. "I'm simply protecting myself."

I hung up before either of them could continue.

An hour later, another phone call came.

This time, it was from the police.

"Ms. Harper, we've confirmed that Dylan Lovell committed large-scale financial fraud using forged medical documents. Since you're the one who reported the suspicious diagnosis, we'd like you to assist with a few additional statements."

"Of course," I answered.

After leaving the police station that afternoon, I received another message from my investigator.

"Good news. We found the overseas account Dylan and Mandy prepared. Because Dylan has officially been declared deceased, the account has been frozen during the fraud investigation."

Every escape route they had prepared had collapsed.

The fake passports were now useless.

The hidden fortune was inaccessible.

Mandy had lost her career.

Phineas and Tiffany were drowning in debt.

And Dylan...

Had truly become ashes.

Looking up at the clear blue sky, I finally felt the weight on my heart become a little lighter.

The nightmare that had haunted my previous life was finally beginning to end.