When Naomi saw Hunter looking all obedient and polite, she could hardly believe her eyes.


    “Was this really the same guy who’d gotten into a shouting match with Warren in the office not long ago? Had he been possessed or something?” she wondered.


    After lunch, just as Liz was about to take a short break, her phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Shannon.


    Shannon’s voice was trembling, on the verge of tears. Panic filled every word. “Ms. Smith, Peter just followed me home… and he took my daughter. He grabbed her and ran. I don’t know what to do.”


    Liz’s expression instantly darkened. “Call the police first. Where are you right now?”


    “I… I’m at home. He hit me. I’m hurt…”


    “Okay, I understand. Call the police right now. I’ming over.”


    “Alright.”


    As soon as she hung up, Liz grabbed her bag and rushed out of thew firm.


    Hunter quickly caught up. “Liz, let mee with you.”


    She paused for a second, then nodded. “Alright.”


    By the time they arrived at Shannon’s ce, it was nearly two in the afternoon.


    Police officers were in the living room, taking Shannon’s statement. Liz’s brows furrowed the moment she saw the bruises on Shannon’s face. She sat down beside her and introduced herself as Shannon’s attorney, helpingplete the police report.


    Once the statement was finished, the police confirmed that Shannon had already filed for a restraining order to protect the child. They immediately headed to Peter’s home to arrest and detain him.


    Liz then took Shannon to the hospital for a medical evaluation. On the way, Shannon couldn’t hold back her worry. “Ms. Smith… since he forcibly took my daughter, does this increase my chances of getting custody?”


    “Yes. Given that a restraining order was already in ce, Peter’s actions are considered a serious vition. When the judge reviews the custody case, they’ll take into ount whether his behavior could harm the child’s emotional or physical wellbeing. Your chances of gaining custody are definitely stronger now.”


    Shannon nodded slowly. “Okay… I understand.”


    She lowered her head and said nothing more, but aplicated emotion flickered in her eyes.


    <b>* </b>


    After the exam, they had just stepped outside the hospital when a woman in her fifties suddenly charged at them.


    “You bitch! You called the cops on my son?”


    Before anyone could react, she grabbed Shannon by the hair and pped her hard across the face–again and again.


    <b>+15 </b><b>BONUS </b>


    Liz rushed in to pull her away, but ended up getting scratched several times in the struggle. The woman grew more aggressive, furious that Liz kept interfering, and suddenly swung at her too.


    There was no time to dodge. Just as the p was about tond, someone grabbed Liz by the arm and yanked her. back with force.


    She stumbled straight into Hunter’s chest.


    The first thing she noticed was the firmness of his muscr frame, steady and warm beneath her touch. Then came the soft, citrus scent clinging to him. Her fingers curled before she even realized it.


    “Liz, are you okay?”


    1


    She quickly stepped back and steadied herself. “I’m fine. Go help her!”


    Hunter let go of her and moved fast, pulling the woman off of Shannon.


    Liz rushed over and helped Shannon to her feet. “Ms. Wilson, are you alright?”


    Shannon’s hair was a tangled mess, and her face was streaked with red marks. Combined with the earlier bruises, the injuries looked even more jarring.


    “I’m okay, Ms. Smith,” she said quietly.


    Then she looked at the woman Hunter was holding back and gave a cold, bitterugh. “<b>Your </b>son deserved to be arrested. The court issued a protective order, and he still came to take my daughter. What he did was illegal. He’s going to jail, whether you like it or not.”