I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father-Chapter 185: She Was Not Alone In The Apartment

Lyse arrived at Mr. Black’s office, her mind a whirlwind of anxieties. The media scrutiny, her mother’s accusations, and the disappointing bail appeal were all weighing heavily on her. The random and strange meeting with Brandon did not make her feel any better, there was a sense on unease that lingered in the back of her throat.

She got into the car and directed the driver to Levi’s attorney’s office, she needed answers. She needed something to give her hope, and she needed to understand what was happening to Levi.

When she got there, she found Chris already there, pacing anxiously in the waiting area. He turned as she entered, his face etched with concern.

"Lyse," he said, his voice tight. "Have you heard anything?"

Lyse shook her head. "Nothing new. I just...I needed to talk to Mr. Black. I need to understand what’s going on."

"Me too," Chris said. "This whole thing is...it’s unbelievable."

Mr. Black emerged from his office, his expression grave. "Come in," he said, gesturing towards his office. "Let’s talk."

They followed him into his office, a large, well appointed space filled with expensive looking antiques and furniture. It looked more like an executive’s office than a lawyer’s, there was barely any law memorabilia. They sat down across from him, their eyes fixed on his face.

"I am sure that you both have a lot of questions," Mr. Black began, his voice serious. "And I will do my best to answer them. But I need you to understand that this is a complex case, and some of the information I’m about to share is...sensitive."

Lyse and Chris nodded, their faces grim.

"The police have found some...evidence," Mr. Black continued, "that makes Levi’s situation extremely...difficult."

Lyse’s heart sank. "What kind of evidence?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"They found a photograph," Mr. Black said, "of Levi driving near Sutton’s apartment building. Around the time of her death."

Lyse gasped. "A photo? But...why would he be there?"

"That is what we are trying to figure out," Mr. Black said. "Levi refuses to say. He insists he did not kill her, but he won’t explain why he was in the area."

Chris frowned. "That’s...that is strange," he said. "I remember that day. Levi stormed out of the office. He was furious about something, but he wouldn’t tell me what it was. He just left. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but now..." He trailed off, his voice filled with doubt.

Lyse looked at Chris, her eyes searching his face. "You think...you think that he did it?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Chris hesitated. "I...I don’t know what to think, Lyse," he admitted. "I know Levi. He’s not a violent man. But this...this photo, his refusal to explain...it’s making me question everything."

Lyse felt a wave of despair wash over her. Even Chris, who had always been so supportive of Levi, was starting to have doubts. What hope was there?

"Unfortunately, that is not all," Mr. Black said, his voice cutting through the silence. "There’s also the matter of Brett’s death."

Lyse’s breath hitched. "What about it?" she asked.

"The police have discovered that Levi had a confrontation with Brett at his house," Mr. Black explained. "Not long before Brett was killed."

Lyse’s mind was reeling. Levi, arguing with Brett, then being seen near Sutton’s apartment around the time of her death...it was all starting to look very bad for him.

"What did they argue about?" Chris asked.

"We don’t know," Mr. Black said. "Levi again refuses to say. He claims he did not kill Brett either, but he won’t explain what happened at the house."

Lyse felt a knot of fear tightening in her stomach. Levi’s silence was damning. Why wouldn’t he explain himself? Why was he making it so difficult for them to defend him?

"Mr. Black," she said, her voice trembling, "is there...is there any other evidence?"

Mr. Black hesitated, then nodded. "There’s some circumstantial evidence," he said. "Financial records, phone logs...things that the prosecution is trying to piece together to build a case against him."

Lyse felt a wave of nausea wash over her. It was all starting to look so bleak. The evidence, Levi’s silence, the media frenzy – it was all conspiring against him.

"What are we going to do?" she asked, her voice filled with despair.

"We are going to fight," Mr. Black said, his voice firm. "We’re going to fight for Levi. We’re going to challenge the evidence, we’re going to find witnesses, we’re going to do everything we can to prove his innocence."

"But how?" Lyse asked. "How can we fight when he won’t even help us?"

"I have spoken to him," Mr. Black said. "He’s...he’s scared. He’s afraid that anything he says will be used against him. He’s following my advice. He’s staying silent."

"But his silence is making him look guilty!" Lyse exclaimed.

"I know," Mr. Black said. "It’s a difficult situation. But we have to trust that he knows what he’s doing. We have to trust that he has a good reason for his silence."

Lyse was not at all convinced. She understood that Levi might be scared, but his silence was killing her. She needed answers, she needed reassurance, and she needed him to tell her the truth.

"What about the bail appeal?" Chris asked. "When will we know?"

"We filed the appeal yesterday," Mr. Black said. "We’re waiting for the higher court to schedule a hearing. It could be a few days, maybe even a week."

Lyse felt a wave of impatience. She couldn’t wait that long. She needed to do something, anything, to help Levi.

"Is there anything I can do?" she asked. "Anything at all?"

"Just be there for him," Mr. Black said. "Visit him in jail. Let him know that you believe in him. That’s the most important thing."

"So, when can i visit him?" Lyse asked.

"I will arrange for it, Mrs Van Doren." Mr Black assured her.

Lyse nodded, her resolve hardening. She would do that. She would visit Levi, she would tell him that she believed in him, even though, deep down, a seed of doubt had been planted in her heart. She would fight for him, she would fight for the truth, even if it meant facing her own fears and uncertainties. She owed him that much.

After the meeting, she headed home. With Joel’s help, she braved the crowd outside the apartment building and got in. Immediately she got into the penthouse, she had an ominous feeling. She was not alone in the apartment.