Chapter 123
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Audrey followed his gaze. Blackthorn Legal was in the office building opposite, and police cars and ambulances were parked downstairs.
She glanced at Ivan, who lowered his head guiltily and tore the burger wrapper before taking a big bite.
“If you really want to protect me, protect yourself first! Don’t wait until I need your backup and you’re already behind bars!”
“I’m still a minor,” Ivan mumbled softly.
“Being a minor isn’t a shield from crime. Even if you’re not criminally responsible now, it gets recorded and affects your future schooling and jobs,” Yann, who had been silent, finally said slowly. “Using fists to protect someone is just reckless.”
Ivan suddenly looked at Yann. Under that overwhelming gaze, he slowly lowered his head.
“Did they beat you badly?” Audrey suddenly asked.
Ivan took a big bite of his burger. “Probably not.”
“Turn yourself in.”
Ivan almost dropped his burger and stared wide–eyed. “Why?”
“Don’t waste state resources. Didn’t you say minors aren’t criminally responsible? Besides, the building has cameras. You really think you can get away?”
Clayton did call the police. He’d been beaten again and again and finally couldn’t take it anymore.
When they were doing the injury assessment, Carson came by to watch the drama. “Who pissed off someone again?”
Clayton’s injuries weren’t serious. He had bruises on his buttocks and thighs, barely minor injuries, but he wasn’t willing to let it go.
“Come help me up,” he reached out to Carson.
Carson walked over, but just as Clayton’s hand was about to touch his shoulder, Carson suddenly bent down.
Clayton missed grabbing him and slammed into the corner of the table, nearly fainting from the pain in his crotch.
“Sorry, I dropped my pen.” Carson picked it up, then saw Clayton looking like he was in pain and grabbed his arm. “Are you okay?”
Clayton thought, ‘Do I look okay to you?‘ He was in so much pain he couldn’t speak, just glared fiercely at Carson.
Carson shrugged, “Looks like you don’t want me to help, so I’m heading back. I have a night shift tonight.”
Seeing him about to leave, Clayton grit his teeth and asked, “You’re going against me for Audrey?”
“That’s not true,” Carson said, hands in pockets, serious and precise. “First, I’m not against you. Second, you have nothing to do with Audrey anymore, so you have no right to interfere in our business.”
He seemed to think of something and added. “Since you married Valerie, you should repay the Patterson family’s kindness properly. Handing her over to the cops without defending her–at’s betrayal.”
Cheryl and Lillian, who had just arrived together overheard that. Before Lillian could react, Cheryl rushed in and kicked Clayton. “Clayton! This is how you treat my daughter? I’m going to fight you!”
If the cops hadn’t arrived quickly, Clayton might have ended up with some real injuries.
Cheryl’s eyes were red with rage. “You Patels bully us orphans and widows, you deserve a terrible fate!”
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Chapter 123
Lillian, still unaware of Riley’s situation, was thrilled to hear Valerie got arrested and couldn’t stop shouting. “Serves her fight Karma
When she found out her granddaughter got bullied by two thugs because of Valerie, she fainted right away. Cheryl was over the moon
Clayton, both mentally and physically exhausted, had just settled Lillian down and lay on the hospital bed when the police brought han in
“Sorry, it was me who hit you,” Ivan admitted honestly,
On the way, Ivan had told Miguel that Clayton was Audrey’s ex–husband and had betrayed and bullied her.
The student who had tried to bully Jessica today was Clayton’s niece, Clayton was furious that Jessica was trying to push the blame onto her, and he
couldn’t swallow that.
Miguel was annoyed about his son fighting, but because of Audrey’s status and Jessica’s father’s background, he supported his son and was cold toward Clayton. He said he’d cover the medical bills but only the part caused by his son.
But Clayton’s injuries were from multiple fights, making it hard to split responsibility, plus Ivan was still under fourteen, so holding him accountable w tough.
In the ward, Ivan explained his ‘motive‘ for the fight. Other patients and their families gave Clayton disdainful looks
“What a joke! His niece tries to frame someone, fails, then blames others for not stopping her!”
“That’s what you get for evil deeds. The law can’t handle it, but heaven will!”
“If you ask me, bad parents raise bad kids! A thirteen–year–old ruining someone’s reputation? That’s a demon, an animal! She got hurt by her own actions -serves her right!”
“Is there any real justice left? Lawyers can twist anything.”
Clayton was so ashamed he wished he could disappear.
The police just told the other patients‘ families not to argue and asked Clayton if he forgave Ivan.
The kid was a student, Jessica and Riley’s classmate. Clayton couldn’t forgive him–at else could he do? Clayton gave Ivan a verbal warning, telling him not to be impulsive and that fighting doesn’t solve problems.
When Miguel left, he left an envelope on the bedside with $1,000 for medical expenses.
As soon as Ivan was out of the room, he smirked. He thought, ‘Ms. Henderson was right: admitting fault early can make a big problem small
Miguel sent the police off, then looked seriously at his son. “Your mom has a bad temper, but she sacrifices a lot for this family. Don’t go head–to–head
with her.”
Ivan’s good mood vanished instantly, and his eyes darkened. “She’s got a bad temper, but what about y
The next afternoon, Audrey went to inspect Luther’s factory with Tiffany. Flora greeted them, followed by a sharply dressed man who looked pale.
“Audrey, this is our legal advisor,” Flora said with a mocking smile. “I’m sure you two know each other, so I won’t bother introducing him.”
“Audrey.” Clayton reached out his hand, eyes full of tenderness.
Audrey gave him a cold look and sneered, “Looks like Luther doesn’t want to work with Mr. Gibson anymore. I’ll pass your message along.” She gave Tiffany a glance and turned to leave.
Flora crossed her arms. “Audrey, don’t think Miss Bai values you just because of a glance. Luther signed a contract with Mr. Gibson. The breacher pays double compensation.”
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Chapter 123
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She’d called Clayton over just to annoy Audrey! If Audrey dared embarrass her or show off at a drinking party, she wanted her to face her betraying ev every day.
Seeing Audrey keep walking away, Flora gave Clayton a look. Clayton immediately followed.
“Audrey! I’m here for work! You asked for the divorce, so don’t treat me like an enemy!”
“You’re just a secretary; you can’t decide who Paul works with. You wouldn’t want others to profit from the projects you worked hard on, right?”
- wift
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
