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Finn immediately stepped in front of her. “You’re lying! My mom has always been dedicated to her work, and she’d never do something like that! Show us proof if you’re going to arrest her!”
Then, he turned around and shouted, “Who was it? Who reported her?”
The nurse, who’d been standing quietly in the corner, stepped forward timidly. “I did.‘
Finn grabbed her collar and was about to swing his fist over when the officer intercepted. The latter’s tone was grave as he raised his voice and warned, ” Calm down, sir. We’re acting on legal grounds. If you assault someone, we’ll have to take you in as well.
“If you want proof, we can show you.”
Then, the officer pulled out his phone and displayed evidence of Mom’s abuses of power and misuses of medical resources over the years. The most eye- catching proof was a group chat message on the day of the crash.
Mom’s message in the group chat read, “Finn got into an accident. All doctors are to drop their work and report to his ward immediately!”
Next came a surgical footage of me, along with my final call with Mom and the nurse.
The evidence was irrefutable. Mom collapsed, and Finn was quick to catch her.
After another officer whispered in the ear of the lead officer, the latter produced another picture and compared it to Finn.
“Mr. Finn Auburn, you are under arrest for suspected intentional homicide. Please come with us.”
The declaration caused an uproar. Everyone, including me, was puzzled.
While Mom’s crimes were somewhat known, Finn being accused of murder was unexpected. Only Finn reacted with panic and growled agitatedly, “That’s bullshit! I’ve never done such a thing!
“If you want me to come with you, fine! Give me proof! I don’t believe you’d have any!”
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The officer calmly played another video. It was a home security footage of Finn sneaking into my car and tampering with the brakes while muttering, ”
Just die already!”
Yet, he hadn’t expected Mom to force me to drive him that day. He had no choice but to get into the car, and it was only now that I understood why he’d
been so nervous and repeatedly told me to slow down.
Hazel fell to her knees and sobbed, “Finn… Why?”
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Why? I figured I knew.
Months earlier, Finn had gambled himself into debt with loan sharks. Desperate, he came to me for help, but I had no money to give.
When I urged him to turn himself in, he dropped to his knees and begged, “I can’t, Asher! If I do, I’m doomed! They’ll chop off my hands! Please, just
help me this once!”
But I couldn’t let him continue astray and waste our parents‘ years of effort. So, I clenched my teeth and refused.
Seeing that I wouldn’t back down, a malicious thought crept into his mind. Then, he put on a pitiful expression and lied, saying, “Fine. I’ll turn myself in.
But give me two days to mentally prepare myself, alright?”
Seeing how pitiful he looked, I softened again, only for him to plot my murder and shut me up instead,
Then, the officer played my dashcam footage for Mom. “Take a look. This is the son you killed by diverting medical resources.”
The video showed me shielding Finn with my body during the crash, unaware of his betrayal.
After learning the truth, our parents and Hazel stared at him in disbelief. An eerie silence fell over the scene.
Once Mom snapped out of the shock, she lunged at him and clawed at his clothes. “Finn, you murderer! How could you be so cruel to your brother!”