Chapter 18

Kyle went back to his room to grab his phone and called Kathie, but no one answered.

Zachary was curious. "Mommy always picks up right away. Why isn't she answering? Did something happen to her?"

Eileen slapped his hand. "Don't say stuff like that. Mommy's probably just busy and didn't hear it. Keep calling."

Kyle motioned for them to stop arguing. This time, someone finally picked up, but before he could speak, a man's voice came through,"Hello?"

Kyle was taken aback. "Who are you? Why are you answering my mom's phone?"

"This is the police station. Ms. Cavendish has been detained for assaulting someone and causing injury. She needs to be investigated," the voice said sternly,making Kyle panic.

"You must be mistaken. My mom wouldn't hurt anyone," Kyle replied.

Hearing the child's sweet voice, the officer patiently explained, "Your mom injured someone, and the victím wants to press charges."

Kyle put down the phone, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Kyle, what's going on?" Zachary asked.

Kyle,holding Zachary and Eileen's hands, said worriedly, "Mommy's been taken to the police station. I need to go get her out. You two stay here."

He grabbed his coat and was about to leave when Jonathan stopped him."·Hold on. You're just a kid. How do you plan to get your mom out? Do you think the police will listen to you?"

Kyle was frantic. "Then what should we do? We can't let Mommy go to jail."

Eileen started crying. "I can't be without Mommy."

Zachary comforted her. "Eileen, don't cry. Mommy will be okay."

Jonathan reassured them, "Don't panic. Think about someone you can rely on. Call them for help."

Kyle nodded. "Mommy said if anything happens, we can call our godmother. She'll help us no matter what."

Jonathan praised him. "Good. Call her and tell her what's going on. Ask her to go to the police station for you."

Kyle quickly called their godmother, Melinda Brooks, and explained the situation.

Melinda, upon hearing what happened, rushed to help, which eased the kids' worries a bit.

Jonathan looked at his phone. "Kyle, take Zachary and Eileen to take a bath. I'll wait here for news."

Seeing Kyle hesitate, he added, "Your mom must be exhausted dealing with this. If she comes back and still has to take care of you, it'll be too much for her."

Kyle realized he was right. "You're right. We shouldn't add to Mommy's burden. Zachary, Eileen, let's go take a bath."

Despite his young age, Kyle showed a sense of responsiblity,which was comforting.

Once the kids left, Jonathan called Ben. Ben had been waiting for his instructions and answered immediately, "Mr.Berkeley."

"Ben, find out what's going on with Kathie at the police station."

"Got it, Mr. Berkeley. I'll call you back."

Jonathan was curious. Kathie was tough and a bit unreasonable, but she wouldn't hurt anyone. Something didn't add up.

Five minutes later, Ben called back. "Mr. Berkeley, I've found out. Ms.Cavendish injured Tom from the Coleman Family. He's in the hospital with a broken hand and head injuries. He's pressing charges for attempted murder."

Jonathan was silent.

It seemed he didn't fully understand Kathie's fierce side. She really did a number on Tom.

But he couldn't let her go to jail and leave the kids without their mom.

"Contact Tom and make sure he drops the charges. Get Kathie released immediately."

"Got it. I'll take care of it," Ben replied before hanging up. Jorathan then deleted the call record from his phone.

At the poice station, Kathie was trying to explain her side of the story to the officers.

"Officer, I've already told you, it was self-defense. He tried to assault me,and I acted in a panic," she said.

The officer showed her a report. "This is the hospital's report. Mr.Coleman was immobilizedby acupuncture needles before you injured him.You could have left, so why did you hurt him?" Kathie was frustrated. "He tricked me into his room to assault me. I used the needles to protect myself. When I was leaving, I removed the needles,but he attacked me again. I was defending myself."

"But you have no injuries, while he has a broken hand and head wounds,"the officer pointed out.

Kathie argued, "Your job is to protect the vulnerable, not just take his word and convict me."

The officer said,"This matter needs further investigation. But the fact is, he's seriously injured and pressing charges for attempted murder.You should prepare a lawyer."

Kathie was exasperated. She had acted out of anger and hadn't expected Tom to press charges.

"If this isn't resolved, will I go to jail?" Kathie asked.

The officer nodded. "You're currently detained and will face legal consequences."

Kathie bit her lip. Just then, the officer's phone rang. After answering, his expression changed.

Kathie felt uneasy. The officer smiled slightly. "Ms. Cavendish, Mr.Coleman has dropped the charges. He stated it was an accident. You can go."

"Really?" Kathie couldn't believe it.

The officer nodded and had her sign some papers before letting her leave.

Kathie remembered Tom's angry face and doubted he would let this go.Why had he suddenly dropped the charges?

As she left the station, she saw Tom at the corner. His hand wvas in a cast, and his head was bandaged. He looked pitiful.

She expected him to confront her, but he apologized, "Ms. Cavendísh,this was all a misunderstanding. I won't pursue it. Please don't hold it against me."

This was too strange. Kathie asked directly, "Didn't you say you'd make sure I spent my life in jail? Why the sudden change?"

Tom smiled bitterly.It was because Ben from the Berkeley Family had threatened him. If he made things difficult for Kathie, the Coleman Family would be ruined.

He had tolie. "I'm a parent too. I don't want your kids to be without their mom."

Kathie didn't believe his kindness. "Who put you up to this? You knew about the past and claimed to be my kids' father. Someone must have told you."

Tom, having been nearly ruined by Shirley, didn't hide the truth.

"It was Shirley. She said if you went to jail, she could force you to divorce Randy and then pay me off," he said.

So it was Shirley.She would do anything to climb up.

"I'll deal with her. As for you, take care," Kathie said coldly.

Kathie hadn't been hurt and had already dealt with him, so she let it go.

Tom,relieved,quickly left. This made Kathie even more suspicious. What could make him, injured, come to apologize? It wasn't out of guilt; he was clearly threatened.

But who could scare someone like Tom from the Coleman Family? Kathie was still pondering when a car horn interrupted her thoughts.She turned to see her friend Melinda waving.

"Kathie, you're free! I even called a friend to bail you out," Melinda called out.

She had contacted a lawyer friend to help as soon as she heard.