Mr. Blanchetâs influence was something they canât just brush off, while Ms. Howardâs brother, Balfour, has repeatedly stressed that they canât just let suspects off the hook.
On one hand, theyâre feeling the heat from Mr. Blanchet on the other hand, itâs Mr. Howard putting the squeeze on them. Theyâre basically caught between a rock and a hard place right now âWho says thereâs not enough evidence?â
A cool voice suddenly came from the elevator, thatâs Balfour Haillieâs eyes lit up at the sound of the manâs voice Balfour!â
With a stride as smooth as butter, Balfour walked over, exuding an aristocratic air to rival Theoâs Seeing her brother, Patriciaâs face lit up, but she stayeds quietly by Theoâs side, not wanting to leave.
Bryan, on the other hand, became tense at the sight of Balfour, wanting to leave but afraid of getting chewed out.
Haillie, all smiles, went over to greet him, saying, âBalfour, you showed up just in time! The police said they needed a witness who saw Elinor and the thug who attacked Patricia together before Elinor could be convicted! But they donât have a witness.â
Balfour said, âWho says thereâs no witness?â
Haillieâs taken aback, her eyes full of confusion. âThere is? Balfour, do you know where the witness is?
âI am the witness!â Balfourâs tone was gentle but firm: âThe other night, I happened to see Ms.
Mendoza and that thug together.â
Balfour walked into the center of the crowd, nodded politely to the police, and said hello.
Then he turned to Theo with a friendly gaze, although heâs humble, thereâs a resolute look in his eyes.
âTheo, unfortunately, this involves my sister Patriciaâs safety, I have to step inâ
Theo squinted at Balfour, a dangerous glint in his eyes, smirking, âSo, Balfour, youâre just going to perjure yourself like this?â
Balfour frowned then smiled. âTheo, youâre underestimating me! Everything I said is true; I wonât perjure myself, nor will I tolerate anyone harming my sister, no matter who she is or whose wife she is!â
These words, though polite, were loaded with tension.
The atmosphere between the two men gradually became tense The two families had a deepâseated feud. Patricia didnât want her brother and Theoâs conflict to escalate; that would only push her and Theo further apart.
So, Patricia threw herself into Balfourâs arms, cooing, âBalfour, let it go; Elinor is Theoâs wife, I thinkâ¦â
Balfour naturally held his sister, stroking her hair, and slowly said.
âPatricia, if a person is too kind, theyâll be taken advantage of, once bitten, twice shy I canât expose you to any risk, so we canât just let this go!â
Patricia was his halfâsister. Even though he and his stepmother werenât close because he was separated from his full sister when they were young, he transferred his regrets onto Patricia, treating her like his own sister.
He canât let this sister get hurt.
Theo calmly looked at Balfour and said, âBalfour, are you determined to sacrifice my innocent wife no matter what?â
Balfour explained, âTheo, if it were anyone else, I wouldnât bother looking for evidence, but because Elinor is your wife, Iâm willing to take the time to give you an explanation. Whether I misunderstood her or you misjudged someone, weâll know after we confront her.â
Balfour was very confident, after he finished speaking, he turned his head and respectfully asked the police, âOfficer, as a witness, can I confront the suspect?â
The police were a bit taken aback, then hurriedly nodded, âUh, yes, you can!â