With a calm demeanor, I laid bare the undeniable truth, dissecting Scarlett's tangled web of lies with surgical precision.

She glared at me, her eyes blazing with defiance, until I pulled out my phone and played back the footage I had captured moments earlier through the slats of the blinds.

The director, caught in a bind, had no choice but to announce a re-examination of the body.

As the crowd began to disperse, Tobey wasted no time in taking action.

The sound echoed sharply, a hard slap across my face that shattered any lingering affection I had for him.

In retaliation, I landed a stinging slap on Scarlett's cheek.

Pointing at her, I raised my voice in anger.

"You hit me, so I hit her back. She's my student, and you've overstepped your bounds!"

Scarlett cradled her face, tears streaming down her cheeks, seeking refuge behind Tobey.

His face was a conflicted mix of shock and fury.

With a cold smirk, I snatched his hat off his head.

"Do you even realize what's at stake here? For a woman, you've thrown your beliefs out the window. Is that really worth it?"

Scarlett tugged at Tobey's sleeve, her head bowed slightly—an angle that made her look eerily like her late mother.

"Mr. Craig, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault you got scolded by Cathy..."

I thought, "Oh? Cathy? Now you want to call me that?"

Since Tobey brought her back, this was the first time she had dared to call me by my nickname.

She was hailed as a forensic genius renowned for spotting the tiniest details.

But practical experience had shown her brilliance to be nothing but a facade.

Once she stepped into the forensic world, Tobey had entrusted her with significant responsibilities.

But this wasn't a game; the evidence that could determine a person's fate was treated with reckless abandon.

Tobey couldn't hold back any longer. "Catherine, how can you talk about your junior like that?"

I shook him off, my patience wearing thin. "I'm her teacher. I get to say whatever I want. You're my equal, so show some respect and call me Ms. Craig!"

I shot him a glare before turning back to Scarlett.

"What are you waiting for? Planning to commit perjury again? Do you want to end up in jail or face the wrath of the victim's family?

"What kind of genius are you? You really believe that you're invincible because years of boasting you receive from others?"

Scarlett was a mess, tears streaming down her cheeks, and soon my brother, Steve Craig, rushed in, concern etched on his face as he tried to comfort her.

In a cold voice, he said, "Catherine, are you bullying Scarlett again?

"It's just a dead body! It's Scarlett's first time. You started out like this too. Why can't you show a little compassion?"

"Compassion? Spare me!" My fury erupted, and I shot back.

He looked taken aback; in his mind, I had always been the one who tolerated and forgave.

"Catherine, language!"

I shot him a sharp look. "You turn a blind eye to her perjury, and that's letting a potential criminal off the hook!

"In the eyes of the law, a crime is a crime! Right now, you're all her accomplices!"

Tobey stepped forward, trying to use his fatherly authority against me.

"Catherine, I'm your father..."

I covered my ears. "Just because you're my father doesn't mean you can break the law! I'll be reporting this to the chief. You're getting old; it's time to retire."

Steve quickly stepped in front of me, snatching my phone and pressing a few buttons.

"You can leave, but the video stays!"

He knew my phone password was my mother's death anniversary. He's taking advantage of my mother even after her death only to help Scarlett out.

I looked coldly at Steve, who was still holding onto Scarlett's hand.

"You are an outsider. I can understand your ignorance, but how can you develop feelings for her?

"As a forensic expert, I think I've made myself clear. As a family member, it seems you'd rather have Scarlett as your daughter and sister, so why don't you just hand over everything that belonged to my mother?"