Chpater 17
Shalley gave Warren an incredulous look. She opened her mouth to speak, but the police. officer did not give her the chance.
Warren just stood there silently as Shalley was wrangled into the police car, to be taken back to the police station for further questioning. When he was sure that she wouldn’t be able to harass him again, he called Thandie. “Can you come pick me up now?”
“Where are you? I’ll be right there,” Thandie said immediately. She did not ask any further questions and quickly headed out to get him.
Warren stood by the road alone. Thin and frail, He looked as if a gust of wind could blow him
away.
When Thandie arrived, he asked softly, “Is Mr. Keaton okay?”
“He’s fine, just a little confused,” Thandie reassured him, “Don’t worry, I’ve explained things
to him.”
Warren nodded. “Good.”
Thandie hesitated for a moment, but in the end, she chose not to ask why he seemed even sadder than before. She accompanied him back home and poured him a cup of tea before asking in concern, “Did your sister–in–law regret things?”
She was quiet, not stupid or naïve. Regular family wouldn’t argue over each other’s love lives
like this.
Warren nodded. “But I don’t.”
He looked up at Thandie with a determined look in his eyes. “From now on, we’re either just family or just strangers. Which one it is will depend on her choice.”
The past was in the past now. He wanted to start anew.
Shailey spent the rest of the day in the police station, answering relentless questions from the police. It was only after she got her assistant to provide proper identification to prove her innocence that she was released. Finally, she was able to get fresh air from outside the police
station.
Noticing her foul mood, her assistant, Freya Bryn, wisely kept a low profile after settling things with the police.
Unfortunately, Jacob chose this time to appear. When he saw Shailey, he rushed over with tears in his eyes. “Shay, you have to help me! I’m at my wit’s end. I tried to come abroad to hide from them, but they still managed to track me down…”
His pitiful tone made it sound like he would die unless she helped him.
Shalley was fully aware of his true nature by now. Tiredly, she asked, “How much money do you need?”
Jacob was delighted. Just as he was about to name an exorbitant amount, Shailey took out her phone and answered a call. Swiftly, her expression changed. She gave him a venomous glare.
“What’s wrong, Shay?” Jacob shuddered Involuntarily and cautiously drew closer to her.
Shailey let out a cold laugh. “Did you look like that when you messaged Warren?”
Jacob froze. Forcing out a smile, he said, “What message? Isn’t Warren missing? How am I supposed to contact him…”
This was impossible. Warren should have given up on Shailey by now!
Shailey did not bother explaining. She just raised her phone and showed him the screen.
Just moments ago, the private investigator she had hired back home had sent her the recovered data from the destroyed phone.
Jacob stared at the messages that he had sent to Warren in the past. He panicked for a moment before gritting his teeth and insisting, “I didn’t send these messages, Shailey. Someone’s trying to frame me. It must be Warren–he’s never liked me in the first place…‘
“Shut up!” Shailey snarled.
For a moment, all was silent. Not even the sound of breathing could be heard.
Η
Shailey’s hand was shaking as she held up her phone. She looked down at Jacob from above. Were you the one who forced Warren to move abroad?”
The pieces that she’d overlooked all along were starting to connect. The truth was undeniable
now.
Jacob was terrified in the face of Shailey’s anger, but he still wasn’t willing to give up his golden goose just yet. Softening his voice, he tried to elicit her sympathy. “Shay, I’ve always thought of him as my little brother. Why would I…”
He trailed off, unable to continue at the sight of Shailey’s icy expression.
He wasn’t going to get out of this easily this time, it seemed.
Shailey’s mind was buzzing with rage and hatred. However, short of turning back time, there was nothing she could do.
All she could do was turn the hate toward herself. Turning away from Jacob, she said coldly, I’ve told you before. Warren is the most important thing in my life. You’re allowed to put on a show with me to provoke him to speak his true feelings and realize how important I am to him, but you are not allowed to hurt him! Now, leave.”
Jacob trembled as he tried to grab her sleeve in vain. Reaching out his hand, he cried, “I didn’t
Disgusted, Shailey turned away.
Just then, she received another call from the housekeeper back home. With her back to Jacob, she answered the call. “What is it?”
The housekeeper had called to report on the investigation. “Ms. Ralston; the professionals you hired to recover the surveillance footage have completed the work. They’ve sent us the video. You were right. Someone made Mr. Gardner angry on purpose.”
Shailey’s hand clenched so tightly that her veins popped. “Who?” She already had her suspicions. As she spoke, she turned to Jacob slowly.
