You know why I came there. I hope you'll testify against Zeke. He was the kidnapper. Don't you want justice for what they did?"

Galilea chuckled. "Set aside our grievances? Why? I recall you slapping me just a few days ago."

Sabrina closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. "I apologize."

“What's the point of apologizing?" Galilea raised her eyebrows. “You must let me slap you back!"

Sabrina remained silent. Galilea smiled and continued, “You stand up for Tyrone's grandfather, who has no blood relationship with you. But you can't take a hit for your father?"

“Fine, slap me back."

Sabrina's breath caught in her throat as she slowly rose to her feet and limped towards Galilea.

With a triumphant smile, Galilea stood and delivered a forceful slap to Sabrina's face.

Her hand connected with Sabrina's cheek in a sharp, stinging slap, the force of it sending Sabrina stumbling backward on her injured right foot.

Sabrina's left cheek throbbed with a burning pain, the skin swollen and tender. The entire left side of her face, from her cheekbone to the root of her ear, felt like it was on fire.

Her back was wet with sweat, and her hair tangled and bloodied.

Dazed, Sabrina slowly pushed herself up from the floor and sat back on the sofa. In a hoarse voice, she said, "Can we get down to business now?"

As she glanced at Sabrina, who looked miserable and in pain, Galilea felt a surge of satisfaction. "The kidnappers have been on the loose for so many years. It doesn't matter to me anymore. I buried the hatchet many years ago. Why should I ask for trouble now?"

Sabrina pursed her lips, then said, “Is it because you're afraid of stirring up trouble? Or that you don't want to help me? Those kidnappers have committed heinous crimes. Don't you want them to face justice? I believe you should understand why I've come to you."

“Oh, I understand everything. The chief briefed me. You want the kidnappers apprehended and are also tracing the driver who killed your father. But what of it? That was your father, not mine. I have no desire to assist you. What did you expect?" A disdainful smile played on Galilea's face.

The depth of the father-daughter relationship was evident.

Galilea's eyes gleamed with cruel anticipation as she thought of when Sabrina would discover that Conner wasn't her biological father.

It would be a sight to behold.

Galilea's disdainful attitude fueled Sabrina's growing annoyance.

Holding back her anger, Sabrina said in a controlled voice, "My father became a target because he wanted to rescue the hostage quickly and took photos of the kidnappers. He died because of you. If he wasn't killed in the accident, the kidnappers might already be in jail. I don't expect you to thank him, but don't you have any sympathy for him? Can't you fathom the loss of a man dedicated to justice and caring for others, his death shrouded in mystery?"