Chapter 17: "She's Made A Grave Mistake..."
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Ten Years Ago
Kacey burst into the police station, her heart pounding like a war drum. Her eyes darted around, searching for Lieutenant Paul. When she reached the front desk, she barely took a breath before demanding, "Where's Lieutenant Paul?"
The officer behind the desk hesitated before answering. "He... he resigned."
Kacey's stomach dropped. "What?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but—"
She cut him off. "What about my daughter's case? Any updates?"
The officer shifted uncomfortably. "Ma'am, the case has been closed."
Everything inside her went still. For a second, the words didn't register. Then, like a dam breaking, her rage exploded.
"What?" Her voice echoed through the station, sharp as a whip, drawing every pair of eyes toward her. "What do you mean the case has been closed? My daughter was brutally assaulted and raped—left unconscious in a pool of her own blood—and you're standing there telling me the case is closed?"
The officer flinched at her fury. "Ma'am, please, let me explain—"
"I don't want your excuses! I want justice!"
Kacey's chest heaved, her breath ragged, her fists clenched so tight her nails bit into her palms. Her world was spinning, but she planted her feet, unwilling to be dismissed like some insignificant nuisance.
"I need to see the Chief!" she demanded.
"Ma'am—"
"I won't leave until I see him!" she declared, her voice rising above the murmurs in the station.
A commotion stirred as officers exchanged nervous glances. Tension rippled through the room like an electric charge.
Just then, Pete Hamilton walked by. His sharp gaze locked onto Kacey's trembling form. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, his voice calm but firm.
"Ma'am, come with me."
Kacey whipped around, her fiery eyes narrowing at him. "And who the hell are you?"
"Pete Hamilton. Let's talk in my office." he said quietly, "I'm the chief."
She studied him, her jaw tight. A part of her wanted to lash out, to scream at everyone in this place, but something in his voice made her hesitate. With a deep, shuddering breath, she allowed him to lead her down the hall.
The office door clicked shut behind them. Hamilton gestured to a chair, but Kacey refused to sit. Her arms were crossed, her entire body coiled like a spring.
He sighed, leaning forward. "I understand you're upset—"
"Upset?" she cut in, her voice shaking with barely contained fury. "My daughter was left for dead, and you people just—what? Sweep it under the rug?"
"That's not what happened."
"Then explain it to me!"
Hamilton hesitated.
That hesitation was enough.
Kacey's face twisted with betrayal. "You're with them, aren't you?" she spat. "How much did they pay you? Huh? What was the price to sell out an innocent girl?"
"Ma'am, listen—"
"Forget it!" She shot up from the chair, her pulse thundering in her ears. "I should've known better than to trust the police in the first place."
"Mrs Moon—"
She was already at the door, her fingers gripping the handle so hard it hurt. She turned, her voice low, filled with ice-cold determination.
"I'll handle this myself."
And with that, she stormed out, her fury trailing behind her like a raging fire.
***
It was this time of the year when the founder of Gomez University, Peter Gomez, usually visited the school to give a speech to students.
Parents, well-wishers, celebrities, members of the high class and friends attended this event... so long as you're a family of a conglomerate, you were allowed.
The school parking lots were literally filled with expensive cars of different types, colors, and models.
Peter Gomez wasn't just any man. He had made his name a household name in the whole of Chicago and had also made sure his reputation had always been clean. He believed that a clean reputation was the key to more business opportunities.
So when the Chief of Police, Pete Hamilton, had called him and told him of the mess his son, Antonio, had caused, he was livid. After making sure Antonio was strictly punished, he bought off Hamilton's silence and pushed his representative alongside his lawyer to buy off the Moon family's silence, too, as he didn't want any mud on his name.
The same went for the Hopkins, the Perez, the Larson, and the Butlers. So far, they had been the five most reputable and prestigious family in Chicago with such a clean record on the society.
But things were about to change.
They didn't expect the Moon family to blatantly refuse such a huge amount of money.
This event was to be broadcast live for all of the world to see, so the hall was fully packed.
The people cheered the school president as he came on stage to make the opening speech. After his short speech, he then invited Peter Gomez on stage.
Peter Gomez strutted onto the stage with confidence and pride as the crowd cheered him on. He then launched into his insincere speech, carefully crafted to win people over.
But unbeknownst to any of them, Peter Gomez's reputation was about to hit rock bottom any moment!
Kacey appeared out of nowhere, grabbing the mic from him and shoving him down the stage causing the audience to gasp in utter disbelief.
"Everyone!" Kacey shouted into the mic, "I need you to know something... this man here is a fake!" She wasn't saying it to the audience seated before her as she knew the audience themselves was fake, of the same caliber as Peter Gomez; she was staring directly into the broadcasting camera as she spoke. "Him and his high-profile rich friends! Creating a scholarship event only to be wholly recognized by the public but here, the amount of discrimination is outrageous! My daughter was discriminated against and was assaulted by these five families."
As she mentioned names, the crowd gasped in response, some with amusement and entertainment while some with fear of what might happen to Kacey after this.
Kacey pointed at Peter Gomez, who was still sprawling on the floor, "His son assaulted my daughter, and as if that wasn't enough, they bought off the Chief of Police who was supposed to be on the victim's side, and they also tried to buy us off."
"Someone get her off the stage." a voice said.
The security charged in and swooped Kacey off her feet, "I need justice! I need justice for my daughter! Peter Gomez's son and his friends must rot in jail."
Gomez's bodyguard came and made to help him to his feet but he brushed them away, standing by himself.
The murderous rage in his eyes was utterly frightening! He had never felt this embarrassed in his entire life! All he has worked hard for all these years was all in vain!
Only if anyone knew what he was thinking at the moment... his mind dirty with livid fury.
She's made a grave mistake, he thought to himself, a mistake she won't forget for the rest of her life!
The next day, Kacey Moon, alongside her youngest daughter, Layla Moon, was officially declared dead.