Theo sat there, a straw still hanging out of his mouth, looking like he was sipping on water but not uttering a word.
The man remained silent, and Patricia thought he might not have heard her. So she moved closer, tugging at the corner of his shirt. âMr. Blanchet, whatâs going on?â
Theo still didnât respond; he didnât even look her way and seemed to be lost in thought..
Seeing Patricia being ignored, Balfour stepped forward, shielding Patricia and shooting Theo a disapproving glance before turning to Elinor on the hospital bed and saying:
âMs. Mendoza, because you helped old Mr. Howard the other day, I can believe youâre not a bad egg and that you would lend a hand to a stranger in need. But when something threatens your interests, youâre not so kindâhearted. No matter who it is, youâll act decisively, am I right?â
Elinor looked puzzled. âThreatening my interests? What interests of mine?â
Balfour squinted. âYou think Patriciaâs returning will threaten your status as Mrs. Blanchel, so you took action, didnât you?â
Elinor was taken aback, then laughed, saying, âIf she wants that title, she can have it.â
Theo, sitting beside her, furrowed his brows.
Balfour was taken aback, then a sarcastic smile appeared on his handsome face: âMs. Mendoza, playing the generous one now wonât lessen your guilt.â
Elinor looked at him nonchalantly; even with handcuffs on, she appeared relaxed. âIâm not playing anything. I really donât care about the title. Whoever likes it, can have it!â
Hearing her say this, Theo bit down on his straw, his gaze growing darker.
Aside from him, Balfour and everyone else in the room thought Elinor was just putting on airs!
How many women in the world wouldnât want to be associated with Theo, wouldnât dream of marrying into the Blanchet family, and wouldnât enjoying the wealth and power a man could offer?
Especially for a country girl like Elinor, whoâs never seen the finer things in life, wouldnât she always fantasize about changing her fate?
Now that sheâs got the chance to claim that position, who would let go easily? Who would willingly give it up?
Her words just made her seem more fake!
Balfour scoffed, âMs. Mendoza, are you sure you want to keep this up? Iâll give you one last chance. If you admit to attacking Patricia, 1 can consider your help to old Mr. Howard and ask the court to be lenient.â
Elinor yawned, âThanks for the kind offer, Mr. Howard, but Iâll pass!â
Balfour elegantly adjusted his eyebrows. Looking at her fearless ignorance, he laughed again. âAlright then, Ms. Mendoza, brace yourself for the worst.â
At that moment, a police officer closed his notebook, stood up, and said, âMr. Howard, thank you for your cooperation in our investigation. Weâll need you to come with us to the station later to describe your process of evidence collection.â
Balfour nodded. âSure thing.â
Then, the officer turned around, took out a pair of handcuffs, walked over to Elinor, locked one end around her slender ankle, secured the other end to the bed rail to prevent her from escaping, and then sternly told her:
âElinor, weâve got eyewitnesses, physical evidence, and yourâmuch wanted secondary evidence.
Thereâs no use denying your crime anymore! Once your condition is stable enough for discharge, we will officially arrest you!â
Elinor scoffed lightly. âWhatever you say!â
Seeing the âsuspectâ still acting so indifferent, the officer was a bit peeved and about to say something more when he heard the scraping sound of a chair leg on the floor behind him. Someone was gelling up!
Instinctively, he turned around, and sure enough, Theo was on his feet, the tall figure walking towards himâ¦.
The man was expressionless, exuding a strong aura that was intimidating!