Callie's body began to tremble almost imperceptibly. What started as a slight twitch quickly turned into violent shaking. Her cries, first faint, grew into a heartbreaking crescendo.

"Nicole..." Callie's voice, filled with pain and interrupted by sobs, cut through the quiet. “I can't close my eyes. Whenever I do, I see my dad. The pain he had endured... Sixty stab wounds, yet he made no sound..."

Upon learning the details from the recent autopsy report, Nicole felt her world collapse. Brett had endured over sixty stab wounds while still alive. The official cause of death was organ failure, yet Brett remained silent from the moment he was stabbed until his final breath.

Brett's silence stemmed not from weakness but from a profound love for his daughter, Callie. He knew crying out would bring Callie to his side, endangering her with her fragile condition. In his last moments, Brett sacrificed his body to shield his daughter one final time.

Tears flowed down Nicole's cheeks as she grappled with the news. It was clear that Brett was an exceptional father to Callie.

As Callie wept, her broken words filled the room, reflecting her deep anguish. “It's all my fault... It's all my fault..."

"If it weren't for my greed, my dad..." Callie said between sobs, prompting Nicole to attentively listen to her words.

Callie's voice was hoarse as she uttered, "Had I not expressed my desire to continue playing the violin, my father wouldn't have revisited the pursuit of that money, and he wouldn't have met his tragic end."

When Brett recounted the incident to Nicole, he failed to mention whether Jamie had indeed given him the money.

Brett simply stated Jamie offered money and treatment. While the treatment was true and Callie was getting better, it seemingly suggested there wasn't any money involved.

But the truth was Brett did receive money at that time. He wasn't naive enough to risk everything without any gains. Even though Jamie promised to assist his daughter with treatment abroad, he wouldn't have blindly placed his trust in Jamie. It was the money he had received that convinced him to approach Nicole's father as Jamie requested.

However, Brett chose not to disclose this information to Nicole. If he had, Nicole would have vehemently opposed his pursuit of the money, likely resulting in the police confiscating the money.

Ultimately, greed played a role in Brett's downfall.

Nicole reassured Callie, saying, “It's not your fault. The responsibility lies with those bad people. You never wished any harm upon your dad, did you? Callie, it's crucial that you tell the police everything that occurred that day. Be thorough and ensure you don't leave out any details. This will aid them in swiftly apprehending the suspect and securing justice for your father. Do you understand?"

Callie nodded. It wasn't that she didn't want to speak up. It was just that fear gripped her. But with Nicole by her side, she felt much safer. Previously, it was Nicole who had rescued her. During her childhood, Nicole had been the one in whom she placed the greatest trust.

Callie requested Nicole's presence as she felt too frightened to give her statement alone.

Ethel granted Callie's wish, allowing Nicole to accompany her during the interview.

That day, Brett casually inquired about Callie's aspirations after their relocation abroad.

Callie expressed her aspirations but noted the financial challenge associated with playing the violin. Achieving proficiency at her skill level necessitated the guidance of a master teacher, a resource-intensive endeavor. To ease any concern for her father, she simply brushed it off by saying she was joking.

Yet, Brett was steadfast in his assurance that he would assist Callie in achieving her dream.