CHAPTER 43:Cracks in the Throne

The media buzzed like angry bees. Overnight, Mei Li's pristine public image began to crack. News outlets ran stories with titles like "The Heiress Scandal", "Fake Mother? Real Crime?", and "Zhao Corporation Tied to Child Theft Allegations." The public's curiosity turned to outrage.

In her mansion, Mei Li hurled a vase against the wall, glass shattering like her composure. Her fingers trembled as she clutched her phone, trying once again to reach Zhao Chen. No answer. Only silence. The same man who once stood by her side now treated her like a ghost.

She switched tactics and called her mother.

"You told me no one would find out!" Mei Li hissed into the phone. "You said everything was covered!"

Her mother sighed from the other end. "You were careless. You left too many threads loose. Mei Xing was always clever—"

"She was nothing!" Mei Li snapped. "Nothing until she took everything from me!"

On the other side of the city, Mei Xing sat in a sleek office beside her lawyer and Zhao Chen. A thick folder lay open between them—evidence, testimonials from hospital staff who'd been silenced by bribes, and hidden surveillance footage Zhao Chen had uncovered from years ago.

Zhao Chen slid one document across the table. "This is a written confession from a nurse who was on duty the night Jin Hao was taken. She confirmed Mei Li was there—and that money changed hands."

Mei Xing's fingers curled tightly. "I want her arrested."

The lawyer nodded. "We're filing charges for child abduction, fraud, and falsification of legal documents. Once the court receives these, the police will have grounds to detain her."

Zhao Chen turned to Mei Xing. "You'll need to testify."

"I will," she said without hesitation. "For Jin Hao. For Xue Xin. For every mother who was ever called a liar."

That evening, at home, she knelt beside her daughter's bed, watching Xue Xin dream peacefully. Her innocence gave Mei Xing the strength she needed.

Later that night, Zhao Chen found her standing alone on the balcony.

"I know this doesn't fix the past," he said quietly.

"No, it doesn't," Mei Xing replied. "But it might protect the future."

"I never stopped loving you," he confessed, his voice low. "Even when I was too blind to see the truth."

She looked at him, her expression softening just slightly. "Love without trust is empty, Zhao Chen. But maybe… just maybe… we can rebuild."

Below them, the city lights shimmered like stars. And somewhere across the skyline, Mei Li's empire of lies was beginning to crumble.