I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father-Chapter 187: Free!!

The heavy steel door of the detention center swung open with a resounding clang, a sound that echoed not only through the sterile hallways but also through Lyse’s heart. She stood there, frozen for a moment, her breath catching in her throat. Then, she saw him. Levi. He walked out, his face pale but his eyes filled with a quiet intensity. He was free.

A wave of relief washed over Lyse, so powerful that she almost stumbled. She rushed forward, her steps quickening, and threw her arms around him. "Levi!" she cried, her voice choked with emotion. "You’re free! You’re really free!"

Levi hugged her back tightly, his embrace warm and comforting. "It’s over, Lyse," he whispered. "It’s finally over."

Behind Lyse, Chris stepped forward, a wide smile spreading across his face. "Levi, it’s good to have you back," he said, extending his hand with a smirk. "I know that you thought you could avoid your responsibilities by going to jail but everything is still waiting for you."

"You got me!" Levi said as he shook Chris’s hand, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Chris, For everything."

"It was nothing brother." Chris said and pulled Levi in for a hug. He was feeling very emotional seeing Levi out.

Mr. Black, the lawyer who had facilitated Levi’s immediate release, stepped forward, a satisfied look on his face. "Mr. Van Doren," he said, "it is a pleasure to see you a free man. We have a lot to discuss."

"Thank you for your help Mr. Black." Levi said to him.

The group quickly made their way out of the detention center, bypassing the throng of paparazzi waiting outside with the help of bodyguard. Ethan had already arranged for a private car to whisk all of them away, avoiding the media frenzy that had surrounded Levi’s arrest.

They arrived at Levi’s penthouse apartment, a luxurious space that had felt strangely empty without his presence. Lyse could not help but feel a sense of relief as she stepped inside, the weight of the past few days finally beginning to lift.

"How is Laurie doing?" Levi asked in concern.

"Nothing is out, she is back with your mom." Lyse assured him.

"Can we go over everything," Mr. Black said, as they all headed to the living room. "There have been some significant developments in your case, Mr. [Levi’s last name]."

They sat down, their faces filled with anticipation.

"As you know," Mr. Black began, "the police were focusing on you as a suspect in both the deaths of Sutton Marlowe and Brett. The photograph of you near Sutton’s apartment building was a major piece of evidence against you."

Levi nodded, his expression grim. "I know that," he said. "I still can’t understand how that came about."

"Well," Mr. Black said, "it turns out that the photograph was...misleading. The police received an anonymous tip. Someone claimed they remembered seeing a man resembling Brett near Sutton’s apartment around the time of her death."

Lyse’s eyes widened. "Brett? But why would he be there?"

"That is what the police investigated," Mr. Black said. "They reviewed the security footage from Sutton’s building. And they discovered something...disturbing. The footage had been tampered with. Someone had edited it, removing Brett from the scene."

Chris frowned. "So, Brett was there?"

"Yes," Mr. Black confirmed. "He went in and spent some time there. The police assumed that was when he killed her."

Lyse gasped. "Why would he do that?"

"That would make a lot of sense," Chris said. "All his plans to take over Van Doren Group was twarted by Sutton’s lies, he must have been upset with her and killed her out of anger..."

"And that is why he tried to cover his tracks by making me look like the murderer with that picture of me." Levi mused aloud.

"That explains Sutton’s death, how did Brett die then?" Lyse asked.

"We don’t know for sure," Mr. Black said. "But the police have uncovered some information about Brett’s business dealings. It appears that he was involved with some...shady characters. Organized crime. The mafia."

Levi’s expression turned grim. "The mafia?"

"Yes," Mr. Black said. "And that’s not all. The police also discovered the body of Damien Short, Brett’s right-hand man. He was killed...execution style. The police believe it was a mafia hit."

Lyse felt a chill run down her spine. This was getting more complicated, and more dangerous, than she could have ever imagined.

"So," she said, her voice trembling slightly, "Brett was involved with the mafia, he was at Sutton’s apartment around the time of her death, and his right-hand man was killed by the mafia? That is...that’s a lot to take in."

"It is," Mr. Black agreed. "But it is also what exonerated Levi. All the evidence now points to Brett as being responsible for Sutton’s death. And given his connection to organized crime, it is likely that his own death was a result of his dealings with the mafia."

"Are we sure of this?" Lyse asked.

"Well, there is no solid evidence of that." Mr Black said, "but we have been able to establish that Mr Van Doren was too far away from Brett’s murder scene to be the murderer. It is left for the police to do their jobs."

Levi nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "It seems that Brett was living a double life," he said. "Posing as a businessman while fraternizing with the mafia."

"It would appear so," Mr. Black said. "And it’s a life that ultimately cost him his own."

Lyse looked at Levi, her heart filled with relief and gratitude. He was innocent. He had been wrongly accused, but the truth had finally come to light.

"Levi," she said, her voice soft, "I am so glad that this is over. I’m so glad you are free."

It had just been a couple of days but they had been the longest, most agonizing days. She was beyond happy that it was over and she could have Levi back with her.

Levi smiled at her, his eyes filled with warmth. "Thank you, Lyse," he said. "For believing in me. Even when I...when I could not explain myself."

It had been agony for him too, being away from Lyse and unable to hold her when he was at his lowest.

Lyse reached out and took his hand, her fingers intertwining with his. "I never doubted you, Levi," she said. "Not even for a moment."

Chris cleared his throat. "So, what happens now?" he asked. "Will the police release a statement? Will they clear Levi’s name publicly?"

"Yes, they have to," Mr. Black said. "They are already preparing a statement. They will also issue an apology to Mr. Van Doren for the wrongful arrest."

"And my sister," Levi asked, "will anything about her situation come out?"

As happy as he was to be freed from jail, he did not want the cost to be Laurie’s reputation. She had already had it bad enough, she did not need any more negative drama.

"I have explained how delicate the matter is to the DA." Mr. Black explained, "her reputation is safe."

"And what about the media?" Lyse asked. "They have been relentless. They have painted Levi as a manipulative monster who has used his money and influence to escape justice."

"We will deal with the media," Mr. Black said. "We will hold a press conference, there we will tell the truth. We’ll clear Mr. Van Doren’s name."

Levi nodded. "I appreciate that a lot, Mr. Black," he said. "But I also want to focus on moving forward. I want to put all of this behind me and move on with my life."

He was sure that he had a lot of work to deal with, the company’s shares must have plummeted. Lyse had been dealing with everything and was sure to have abandoned her own work. He just wanted everything to go back to normal.

"I understand," Mr. Black said. "And I will do everything I can to help you do that."

As they sat there, discussing the aftermath of the ordeal, Lyse could not help but feel a sense of peace. The nightmare was finally over. Levi was free, the truth had prevailed, and they could finally begin to rebuild their lives.

She had spent so much time away from work and would have to put in a crazy amount of effort just to catch up. She wished everything could go back to the way they had been, but she knew that the scars of the past few days would remain, a reminder of the fragility of truth and the power of doubt. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

And as she looked at Levi, she knew that their relationship had been tested, forged in the fires of adversity, and that it would never be quite the same. But she also knew that it was stronger, deeper, and more meaningful than ever before. They had faced the darkness together, and they had emerged, hand in hand, into the light.