Chapter 3

Callum's face was painted with just the right amount of worry, his expression one of deep anguish. "How could you do something like this, Roxie? Didn't we agree that we would work hard together and get married at the end of the year?"

Jasmine, on the other hand, grasped my arm with a sorrowful expression and let out a sigh. "We're the best of friends, Roxanne. If you were strapped for cash, you could've just told me. How could you go down this path? What were you thinking?"

Playing off one another flawlessly, they put on a seamless performance.

In my previous life, I had been deceived by their deceitful facades. I only realized the truth after I died.

"T-That's impossible!" Looking at Agent Woods, my voice trembled slightly from shock. "Agent Woods, you must've made a mistake. My personal key… How could it be mine?"

Agent Woods eyed me coldly. "Roxanne, your colleague and your boyfriend provided us with an important lead."

Jasmine immediately handed him a document. "Agent Woods, we found this by accident. It contains communication records between Roxanne and several overseas gambling websites. It looks like she owes them a large amount of money."

Callum also pulled out his phone with a pained expression and played an audio recording. "This… This is what Roxie told me in a drunken stupor a few days ago. She said she wanted to pull off one big heist so she'd never have to answer to anyone ever again…"

I could no longer maintain my composure. I thrashed around frantically, the handcuffs clanking loudly against my wrists.

"You're lying!" I roared at them. "This evidence is fabricated! Callum, Jasmine, why are you framing me?"

I shifted my gaze toward Ms. Thornton and pleaded, "Ms. Thornton, you have to believe me! I've worked diligently all these years. How could I possibly do something like this?"

Mr. Thornton lamented, "The highest-level access at headquarters is restricted to only three people—me, Roxanne, and Jasmine. However, Roxanne's the one on duty today, and the code used to open the vault does indeed belong exclusively to her!"

All the evidence fit together into a flawless, airtight loop, condemning me and nailing me firmly to the role of the criminal. My actions—smashing the fire hydrant and climbing onto the rooftop—were twisted into nothing more than a staged act after the successful theft, designed to distract the public and cover up the truth.

"First, she commits theft. Then, she stages a suicide attempt. Once the dust settles, she plans to flee with the money. What a brilliant scheme!"

"Talk about a wolf in sheep's clothing! Who would have thought someone who looked so polished and successful could actually be this kind of person?"

"Her parents are so pitiful. They raised such an ungrateful child!"

The condemnation online came like a tidal wave. In an instant, I went from being labeled a "mentally unstable lunatic" to a "mastermind behind a carefully planned financial crime".

After listening to the voices around them and looking at that ironclad evidence, Mom and Dad could no longer hold themselves together. Mom's eyes rolled back, and she fainted on the spot.

Dad held her tightly, tears streaming down his weathered face. Yet, he still used his raspy voice to plead on my behalf, saying, "Agent Woods, she must've lost her mind for a moment. I beg you, please show some leniency…"

Gazing at me, a sadistic glint of triumph flashed through Callum's eyes before he hastily masked it with that familiar expression of utter disappointment. "Let's go our separate ways, Roxanne. I never expected you to be this kind of person."

Jasmine also shook her head, her face filled with regret.

Agent Woods waved his hand, and two special agents flanked me, restraining me. "Let's go. You can save your testimony for the judge."

I had heard those cold words and seen this familiar scene before. Instinctively, I looked down at my handcuffed hands. Having been given a second chance at life, was I still destined to walk the same path and repeat the same tragic mistake?

Just as everyone assumed it was a done deal, I abruptly stopped in my tracks. "Hold on."

My words instantly brought all the clamor to a sudden halt.

The two special agents restraining me instinctively tightened their grip. Agent Woods turned around impatiently. "What kind of stunt are you trying to pull now?"

Slowly, I turned around, my gaze landing squarely on Agent Woods' face. "I just want to clarify a few things, Agent Woods."

His brows knitted, but he still gestured for me to proceed.

I cleared my throat. "Here's my first question. Are you positive that the theft and the wire transfers took place between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm?"

Agent Woods snorted. "The evidence's ironclad. The bank system's timestamps are accurate down to the second. During that specific timeframe, only your personal key was used."

"Very well." I nodded, a grin spreading across my face. "In that case, I'd like you to answer a question for me."

I paused before scanning the room and drawing everyone's attention to me. "Where was I during that period of time?"

The air instantly froze, and everyone at the scene went dead silent.