William was only five years old. He was still so youngâ¦
Looking at the remorse on her best friendâs face, Lina naturally knew what was on her mind. âAlright, itâs a good thing if we can clear Williamâs name. Donât blame yourself. Youâve been trying to help William find evidence to prove his innocence, havenât you? You should be glad that you have evidence now. He didnât betray your trust.â
âYeah, I should. William probably is innocent. He didnât push Nelson,â Grace murmured.
The police soon came out with the results of their investigation, and Nelson cooperated with the police.
The conclusion was that Nelson did not hear the air gun when it was fired, but children with sensitive hearing could.
Besides, judging from where the bullet was found and the angle when it was shot, Nelson would have been the target due to the spot where he was standing. One could say that William had pushed Nelson Corbyn toward safety, but Nelson Corbyn had subconsciously dodged, which caused him to fall down the stairs in the end.
The investigation vindicated William, so to speak.
Nelson Corbyn seemed guilty. âIâm sorry, aunt Cummins. Itâs all my fault. I didnât hear the sound, so everyone misunderstood William. Iâll apologize to William. Without him, I might still be lying in the hospital.â
âItâs not your fault. Itâs just a strange combination of circumstances,â said Grace. Not only was it because of the sound and Jasper and Mickâs testimonies but also the fact that it took so many days for them to find the bullet.
The series of coincidences caused everyone to get the wrong idea.
âWilliam is no longer with the Reed family. Heâs gone back to Deer City with his father. Iâm afraid we wonât be seeing him for a while, âsaid Grace.
Nelson Corbyn froze. Then, he showed a look of disappointment. âThen⦠Iâll apologize to William in person when I see him next time. Iâll⦠thank him too!â Nelson Corbyn said sternly.
Kyla seemed apologetic. âIâm sorry. I misunderstood William too. Heâs a good kid. Nelson and I owe him big time.â
âAlright, Kyla. Donât overthink it. Iâll make time to visit William later. Iâll tell him then! As you said, Williamâs a good kid. Heâll understand.â
In the evening, Grace looked at her son and daughter standing in front of her. She said with a stern face, âIâve looked into Williamâs case. He didnât push Nelson down the stairs. Someone shot an air gun.
William heard the noise and tried to push Nelson away. You happened to see this scene and misunderstood.â
Grace shared the results of the policeâs investigation with her two children.
When Jasper heard the result, her eyes instantly widened and she seemed happy. âWilliam was trying to save Nelson, not push him down the stairs?â
âYes, weâve misunderstood him,â said Grace.
âThatâs great. William did nothing wrong. He didnât!â said Jasper Reed. However, her expression instantly sank as she remembered how she had called him a liar and that she would never be friends with him again.
âWilliam kept saying he didnât push Nelson down the stairs. I⦠I even called him a liar and said that I hated him and didnât want to be friends with him anymore. He must hate me and not want to be friends with me now. It must be why he left with his daddy!â Jasper said with a nasal voice.
She regretted it so much. Why did she not trust William at that time? They were best friends!
Thinking of the times she did not defend him when the servantsâ children criticized him and caused him to be beaten until he was covered with bruises⦠Jasper instantly burst into tears.