Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 904

“Tiana, are you free to chat right now?” Celine's voice was heavy with concern.

Something felt off to Tiana. She placed her briefcase on the couch and turned away from Cherry, asking, “Mom, what’s wrong?”

“Your dad’s in trouble.” Celine’s voice was weak, and she began to choke up.

Tiana’s face went pale. “Is it his health…?”

“It’s not his health yet, but your father’s been arrested!”

“What do you mean arrested? What happened?”

For the past three years, Tiana had lived on edge. Between the constant pressure from Elaine Bartels and Endora, and the family troubles, only in the recent year had things settled down a bit after Whitney came back. Finally, the family of three had found some peace.

It had been a while since Tiana had heard her mother cry over the phone.

It nearly made her forget the panic that came with unexpected disasters.

Celine, tears in her voice, said, “Your dad’s been taken to jail. The police arrested him last night. I didn’t tell you right away, thinking we could just bail him out with some money, but it turns out your dad got involved in your cousin’s mess.

They... the police said your dad has committed manslaughter!”

“Manslaughter? No… that can’t be.”

Tiana staggered, unable to comprehend her mother’s words. Her movement startled Cherry, who stopped playing and ran over, seeing her mother’s face ashen.

“Mummy, what’s wrong?”

Tears welled up in Tiana’s eyes as she pulled her daughter to the side, her mind in turmoil as she asked her mother, “Can you explain what’s going on? What trouble has my cousin gotten into now?

What has been happening at home? How did Dad get involved in my cousin’s issues?

Mom, I told you to keep me informed about everything, big or small. Why do you always choose to hide things?

Dad’s a patient; how could he suddenly be involved in a manslaughter case?

After our family business went under and was taken over by my uncle, Dad hasn’t been involved in any business for years. How could he have conflicts with anyone?”

“The conflict wasn’t started by your dad!” Celine explained. “It all started with your hot-headed cousin. He got into a nasty competition with a real estate firm, which had some strong backers.

Your aunt wanted your cousin to quit, but he went behind her back, mortgaged the family assets, and dumped all the money into a project.

Recently, that real estate firm started causing trouble for your cousin over financial issues. So, he turned to your dad for help with the accounts since your dad was experienced in business.

After helping your cousin, the situation didn’t improve. Instead, it led to your cousin being accused of corporate crime. Your dad, always the upright man, couldn’t stand it.

He went with your cousin to confront that real estate firm… just yesterday. And then, he didn’t come back.

I waited until midnight when the police showed up to notify us of the intentional harm charge and took him away.

I found out at the hospital that the young man from that firm had died.

I still don’t understand what happened. All I know is that the deceased was from the Caldwell family.