When Love Is a Lie (Whitney and Damian)

Whitney's expression was grim, she didn't say a word.

Noel glanced at her, but it was Helena who answered with a sigh, "We got nothing."

They had questioned everyone, but no one had been near that part of the hall or seen anything by the restroom. In short, there were no witnesses.

With the case at a standstill, Whitney felt awful. If Yvette ended up facing a lawsuit because of her, Whitney would carry that guilt for the rest of her life.

Noel didn't comment further. He mentioned he had some work to finish up for Seabourke Architectural Institute and left.

Helena also had to return to her office to go over the case from start to finish, hoping to find something they might have missed.

Meanwhile, Whitney headed to the hospital. As she walked, she rehearsed what she would say if Yvette asked for an update. Just as she reached the hospital ward door, she heard raised voices coming from inside. "Can you stop being so stubborn?" Thomas said.

"Didn't you say you don't care about me? Then why are you here?" Yvette shot back just before a loud thud sounded.

Whitney quickly pushed the door open.

Inside, she saw Thomas holding Yvette tightly in his arms. It looked like she had almost fallen, and he had caught her just in time.

Yvette's face was flushed as she pushed Thomas away. "I don't need you to meddle in my affairs."

"The summons has arrived, and you're still acting tough? Yvette, sometimes brute force isn't the answer. Do you understand the concept of taking a more strategic approach?" Thomas sounded genuinely frustrated. Whitney stepped closer to Yvette. "The summons came?"

Yvette pointed to the couch. "It's over there. It just arrived this morning."

Whitney turned and saw an envelope lying on the couch, the summons neatly placed on top.

She picked it up and scanned the details, noting that the court date was set for just a week from now.

"Whitney, did you and Helena find anything at the hotel?" Yvette asked, her eyes full of hope.

Whitney's heart sank. She shook her head. "Helena and I spoke to every waiter who worked in the banquet hall that night. None of them saw anything."

Disappointment flashed across Yvette's face, but she quickly forced a brave smile. "It's fine. I didn't do it, so I have nothing to be afraid of. If it comes down to a court case, so be it!"

"Yvette!" Thomas snapped. "Did you even hear a word I said earlier?"

"Don't worry. I'll take responsibility for my own actions. Even if I lose the case, I won't drag you down with me!" Yvette declared, her voice firm.

"You stubborn woman! Do you really think I'm worried about myself?" Thomas' frustration boiled over as he stepped closer, stopping just a few feet away.

Yvette froze, gripping the edge of the bed tightly as she leaned back against it.

Whitney's gaze shifted between the two of them, and without a word, she quietly slipped out of the ward.

She hadn't expected Damian to move so quickly. The summons had arrived, and the court date was only a week away.

And they had no evidence.

Yvette might say she wasn't afraid of going to court, but Whitney knew she was just putting on a brave face. Deep down, who wouldn't be scared?

At the end of the hallway, Whitney pulled out her phone and dialed Damian's number. After two rings, he picked up.

"Whitney, I was just about to call you." Damian's voice held a casual warmth as if nothing had ever happened between them.

Whitney bit her lip. "Please let Yvette go. I'm imploring you. If Rachel needs an apology, I'll give it."

She knew that her apology would likely satisfy Rachel far more than anything Yvette could offer.

"I told you, Whitney, stay out of this. Why won't you listen?" Damian's tone turned cold, the warmth gone in an instant.

"Why are you so determined to stand up for Rachel?" Whitney's grip on her phone tightened, her knuckles turning white. "Can't you see she's just using Yvette to get back at me, Damian? Don't you see through this?"

"You're being overly sensitive," Damian replied, irritation clear in his voice. "Yvette's an adult. If she made a mistake, she should face the consequences."

"Did she really make a mistake, or is she being framed? You know the truth as well as I do."

Damian wasn't the heir to the Howard Group by accident. With his shrewdness and cunningness, there was no way he hadn't seen through this charade.

The real question was what was his motive?

Damian's voice softened, becoming almost coaxing. "I understand you're worried about Yvette and don't want her to suffer through a lawsuit."

It sounded like he had moved somewhere quieter as the faint background noise from his office disappeared.

Then, he continued, "Whitney, you know I've always wanted you to move back in to go back to the way things were. Without you, that house feels empty, and coming home after work is unbearable. Whitney, come back. If you do, I'll drop the charges immediately. "You'll be happy, I'll be happy-everyone wins. What do you think?"

Whitney's free hand clenched into a fist.

So, this was his plan all along.

He was using Yvette's predicament to pressure her into moving back. He'd stoop to anything to get what he wanted.

She hung up without a word, letting her arm drop to her side as she stood there in silence.

After a few moments, she raised the phone again and dialed another number.noveldrama

"Helena, I have something I need to ask you."