Logically, there were only two possible outcomes.
Either the fingerprint scan would return an unidentifiable print—obviously belonging to the mysterious hitman—rendering everyone innocent.
Or they would discover that Ariana had planted the weapon in Zara's bag.
And arrest her for the snake that she was.
There was one more possibility—but Zara had already dismissed it.
The chance that Ariana had thought everything through to the very end… and ensured that Zara would take the fall.
Impossible. Or so Zara believed—until she remembered one crucial detail.
The mysterious hitman had been wearing sleek black gloves.
His fingerprints were never going to be on the weapon.
Her heart skipped a beat as another terrifying thought followed.
When she tackled him, she had used her bare hands. She distinctly remembered her fingers brushing against the knife, making it slip from his grasp.
And if Ariana had been careful enough not to leave her own prints while planting the weapon in her bag…
Then Zara's fingerprints were the only ones on it.
What happened next confirmed her worst fear.
Moyes walked back toward his group of officers, his expression a grim confirmation of disappointment.
"Zara Blake, you are officially under arrest for the attempted murder of Roland and Hannah Drew."
He gestured for his colleagues to handcuff her as he recited the Miranda warning.
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court."
He paused before delivering the final blow.
"You will be held without the option of bail or fine until the investigation concludes. If found guilty, you have the right to legal counsel."
Bertha stood from her seat, paralyzed by everything that had happened—her parents hijacking her big fashion moment, the near-death attack, and now, her best friend being taken away.
"Officer, this can't be right. There must be a mistake. Zara saved my parents. She didn't try to kill them!"
Moyes looked at her, visibly troubled.
"I understand your concern, Miss Drew. But right now, we have to follow the evidence—and it points to your friend as the prime suspect."
The officers began to lead Zara away. She didn't struggle.
But her eyes never left Ariana's.
And Ariana held her gaze, smiling. This was, by far, her happiest day.
Still, something in her felt unsatisfied, even as she watched her sister's downfall.
"May I speak to my sister?" she asked suddenly.
The officer turned, eyebrows raised.
"She's still my sister," Ariana added, forcing a few tears. "I mean… I saw her do it, but I still can't believe she's actually going to jail."
Moyes sighed, clearly tired of the theatrics.
"Two minutes. Then we're taking her in."
The two officers stepped aside. Ariana strutted toward Zara, only to be blocked by Bertha halfway.
"Haven't you done enough?"
"Let her come," Zara said coolly, already guessing Ariana's intention: to twist the knife a little deeper.
Bertha glanced at her friend, then reluctantly stepped aside. Ariana rolled her eyes and continued.
She stopped just a hair's breadth from Zara and whispered, "I've always been one step ahead. Now you'll have nothing. So… who's the loser now?"
THWACK!
Ariana stumbled back, clutching her forehead, where a fresh bump was quickly forming.
"You headbutted me?!"
"Yes," Zara replied, unfazed. "And I'll do it again if you ever try to get cute with me."
"That's assault! Officers—!"
The officers chuckled, trying to stifle their laughter. Even Moyes let out a short, amused snort.
"Ughhhh!" Ariana screamed, stomping her foot. "I'm done! Rot in jail for all I care!"
But despite the throbbing pain in her head, Ariana was still smiling.
She watched Bertha argue helplessly with the officers, and then Zara being shoved into the police car in handcuffs.
She had won this round.
But she hadn't reached the finish line just yet. This was only the beginning.
Unfortunately for her, Zara was thinking the exact same thing.
This was a war neither sister planned to lose.