Chapter 26

< Chapter 26 Menu Chapter 26 I anxiously replayed my conversation with Evan. He’d said, “Go home and sleep,” and I’d replied, “Me too,” so... so what?! How am I supposed to respond to that?!

The glamorous woman who’d dominated the ballroom moments ago now had wide, innocent fox eyes, bewildered and hesitant like a child stumped by a question; her gentle demeanor was both pure and seductive, capable of arousing a man from head to toe...

Evan looked away. Seeing he wasn’t pursuing the matter, I lowered my head. The conversation ended abruptly. The elevator reached my floor; I politely said goodbye. “Good night, Mr. Jones. Sleep well.”

He gave a noncommittal hum. I stepped out, watching the elevator doors close. Just as I breathed a sigh of relief, a long finger slipped through the crack; the doors reopened.

...? My relaxed nerves tensed again.

“I’ve tried on the suit,” he said calmly.

Ah, that... I smiled.“Did it fit?”

“Not quite. The shoulders are too narrow; the trousers are too short.”

... I froze, sighing inwardly.“Perhaps... I should just give you the money.”

He didn’t respond to my suggestion, merely gazing at me with his deep eyes, his expression unreadable. The elevator doors slowly closed.

Standing by the elevator, my mind was still reeling. What did that mean? Good or bad? Couldn’t he give a clear answer? This guessing game was exhausting; that’s why I’d left so quickly; talking to him was stressful... my brain cells were dying.

Realizing I was complaining about him, I remembered he’d saved my life and had even humbled himself to testify for me, even showing up at the park out of concern. Thinking this, I felt a pang of guilt.

Entering my apartment, I threw my bag down, collapsing onto the sofa, closing my eyes, and falling asleep.

Police station. Julian looked at the nine photos the police placed before him–eight men and me; the men were leering, like sewer rats. He couldn’t bear to think about his wife being defiled by these creatures; he couldn’t imagine her despair.

“Your wife said she was injected with a sedative, taken to a hotel room, and called you three times; you didn’t answer the first two, only answering the third call, but it was your lover, Caffrey, who answered. Your wife recorded it; we’ll play it for you.” The police pressed play. Julian listened again, reliving the ordeal. The police’s statement, “she called you three times,” connected the events, painting a gruesome picture... His head rested on his arm; his eyes were filled with mist.

“Explain why you didn’t answer your wife’s calls. Why was your phone in your lover’s possession?” The police’s tone was cold.

Julian calmed down.“I was working late at the office. Rita... she’d been to my office; she took my phone, saying she wanted to play games; I was busy and didn’t notice.”

“You let your lover use your phone?” The explanation didn’t satisfy the police.

“You can check the security footage; my office has cameras.”

“We’ll be sure to investigate thoroughly.”

In other rooms, Rita and Seraphine were also being interrogated. Rita cried, blaming Seraphine for everything. When 17.6%

< Chapter 26 Menu asked about Julian’s involvement, she vehemently denied it, excitedly claiming he knew nothing; her phone call was intended to anger me. She acted like everyone else could die, but her beloved could not. The two female officers interviewing her wanted to spit on her.

Seraphine sat in the interrogation room, her expression shifting. She answered everything the police asked; she’d never experienced such humiliation. She deeply regretted it; she’d thought Rita would be a good daughter–in–law; she never imagined she was more terrifying than a ghost. Committing such a vicious act and then shifting the blame... she would never let her into the Shaw family!

While they were being interrogated, the Shaw and Crowe legal teams arrived, attempting to secure bail. Sherry was fighting them, providing further evidence and representing the victim. Caffrey wouldn’t escape punishment. As for Julian... he wouldn’t be released until 8 AM tomorrow.

2 AM, Sherry drove to my apartment. I’d woken up after a few hours; I’d changed out of my red dress, removed my makeup, and was packing my bags.

“I brought snacks. Let’s eat.” We sat on the balcony, eating barbecue and drinking beer. I rubbed my glass, looking up at the stars.“Some say you should be happy after revenge; I suppose I should be.” I raised my beer and drank it down in one gulp.“Cheers!”

Sherry looked at me.“Olivia, will you... ever believe in love again?” She was also asking herself; she didn’t believe anymore. Had every beautiful, capable, wonderful woman been destined for betrayal and hurt?

Holding my beer, gazing at the silent surroundings, I said, “I can’t reject all dogs in the world just because one bit me.”

“But I’ll be afraid, and I’ll stay far away when they try to approach me.” She nodded. Ultimately, she wouldn’t believe again....

We finished our drinks, cuddling in bed, laughing and crying, eventually falling asleep.

Morning, dressed in a trench coat, I pushed my suitcase into the living room. Sherry hugged me.“Go on your trip; leave the rest to me. When you return, once you have the divorce papers, we’ll say goodbye to him for good.”

“Mm.” I nodded. I decided to go on my trip; leaving everything to Sherry was selfish, but I needed to escape, no matter where in the world.

My flight was at 8 AM. Sherry was going to take me to the airport but received a call from the police station; Julian’s charges were dropped; he’d be released in half an hour!“Olivia, I have an emergency. Take a taxi; be safe.” She didn’t tell me what happened, ruffled my hair, and rushed off. Julian! Even if I had to beg him, he wouldn’t be released before 8 AM!

I pushed my suitcase out of the apartment. Waiting for a taxi at the entrance, an unknown number called. My gut told me not to answer...

A silver Maybach pulled out of the complex, stopping in front of me. The driver’s window rolled down; Gary smiled amiably.“Ms.

Frost, where are you going?”

Looking up, surprised, I answered truthfully.“To the airport.”

“Perfect. We’re going to the airport too; we can share a ride.”

< Chapter 27