Chapter 216
Chapter 216
“What if I say no?” Timmy’s eyes turned sharp.
Clayton looked at Timmy’s clenched knife and fork as he said calmly, “Jacob’s case is only being retried, not yet finally decided.”
If Timmy agreed to his condition, he would do his best to reduce Jacob’s sentence; if not, Clayton would stop helping Timmy. After all, he wasn’t Timmy’s official lawyer.
Timmy struggled for a long time, then put down the knife and fork. “I can let you take charge of this route, but on one condition–don’t piss Paul off.”
Clayton picked up his coffee and drained it, signifying his agreement.
After the meal, he drove to the port and met with Allen Palmer, the truck fleet captain in charge of the route, to hand over the work.
Clayton dialed Timmy’s phone, asking him to explain the matter to Allen, while he stood by with his hands in his pockets, silently counting the number of trucks and calculating the cargo volume of Stride Commerce.
Paige regularly visited the port warehouse to sample product quality. As she was about to take a taxi away, she spotted Clayton at a glance.
Just as she prepared to go up and scold him, she saw Allen hand Clayton a phone and point to a distant truck, gesturing something.
Paige immediately hid and called Audrey. “Ms. Henderson, I saw Clayton at the port warehouse. No, he’s talking to the fleet captain.”
She stuck her head out and watched Allen take Clayton to the fleet to introduce the drivers, then said, “Could it be that after I reported him, he couldn’t be a taxi driver any more, so he switched to driving trucks?”
Audrey’s typing paused. “Trucks?” Clayton couldn’t have obtained a truck driver’s license in such a short time, and besides, most truck drivers helped unload goods–Clayton’s current physical condition couldn’t handle that.
“Don’t provoke him. Come back early.” Audrey hung up and messaged Emilia, asking about Clayton’s whereabouts.
Soon, Emilia called back. “I suspect Clayton is involved in a recently high–profile case.”
It was Emilia who had informed Clayton about Jacob’s case. At the time, Clayton had planned to take it, but subsequent changes left him too preoccupied to proceed.
During the trial, Jacob’s lawyer remained the same, but the arguments were noticeably more refined. It was as if he had rehearsed many times, anticipating the judge’s questions and delivering precise defenses every time. Emilia immediately recognized this as Clayton’s litigation style.
Although Clayton was a sucker, he always prepared thoroughly for trials.
Audrey thought for a moment and said, “The police officer died while on duty. The defense lawyer claimed he had pre–existing coronary heart disease and couldn’t confirm a direct link between his death and Jacob’s resistance to arrest, right?”
“Yes,” Emilia said.
The case had a court recording online, and netizens were criticizing Jacob’s lawyer for helping a criminal evade responsibility, calling it outrageous. When leaving the court, Jacob’s lawyer didn’t dare to look at the victim’s family, keeping his face covered and hurrying away.
Audrey recounted what Paige had seen and added, “Clayton must have helped Jacob, so Timmy arranged this job for him.”
“He’s got his own mess to deal with but still has time to help others.” Emilia was so angry she nearly swore. “I’ll call Mr. William and get him into prison as soon as possible.”
After hanging up, Emilia contacted Malcolm, while Audrey told Paige to urge Jade to act quickly.
Meanwhile, Allen didn’t take Clayton seriously at all, but Timmy had ordered him to coddle Clayton until Jacob’s case was decided. So Allen and the
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Chapter 216
truck drivers flattered Clayton and ganged up to demand he treat them to a meal.
Clayton generously took them to a nearby restaurant. As soon as the food arrived, he received a call. “You guys eat first, I need to take this call.” Clayton left the private room and said into the phone, “Mom, what’s wrong?”
“Clayton, didn’t you say you had money? Why are you selling the house?” Lillian asked.
Afraid his mother would find out he’d mortgaged the house, Clayton denied it. “I’m not selling the house. Did you hear rumors again? I’m in charge of a transport route now and will get back on my feet soon. Why would I sell the house?”
“I have come home. Stop lying! ” Lillian’s voice was thick with tears.
Clayton was confused. He hurried home to find the house in chaos–all valuable appliances were gone, and the bedrooms and living room had been ransacked as if by thieves.
“What’s going on?” Clayton asked his mother in shock. Lillian cried and accused him of not being honest with her.
He took Lillian’s hand, seated her on the only remaining chair, and said, “Don’t cry yet. Let me make some calls.”
However, he found Valerie and Cheryl’s phones turned off. A call to Luna’s kindergarten revealed she hadn’t attended school that day. All three were missing.
“You know Cheryl, right?” Two middle–aged men with tattoos all over their arms stepped out of the elevator and approached Clayton.
“Who are you?” Clayton instinctively tried to close the door.
“Cheryl lost over ten thousand dollars at our casino and sent us here to collect from you.” One man said, producing a promissory note signed by Cheryl.
Clayton felt a severe headache and barely stayed upright against the doorframe. “Why should I pay her debt? Go find her.” Clayton’s face paled, sweat pouring down his forehead, as he turned to close the door.
The two men grabbed the door handle. “If you don’t pay, we’ll take your stuff as collateral.”
They forced their way in and, seeing the ransacked house, gave Clayton a pitying look. “Man, I know you’re in trouble, but the debt still needs to be paid. Your wife signed this IOU too.”
On the back of the note was indeed Valerie’s signature, with Clayton’s phone number listed.
Just then, two more men knocked on the door. “Who’s the homeowner?” they asked.
“I am.” Clayton felt his stomach hurting again.
“We’re from a pawnshop. Your wife mortgaged this house for 300,000 dollars, and we’re here to inspect it.” They said, presenting their business cards.
Clayton didn’t hear the rest, as he fainted completely. When he woke up, he was in a hospital bed. Lillian was whispering tearfully to Carson by his side, while Carson merely sighed.
“Valerie not only ruined Clayton’s health but also mortgaged the house. She doesn’t even have a job–how will she pay back the d
Lillian cried.
“If Clayton had known Valerie was such a bitch, he’d never have married her,” Carson said.
“Carson, you’re his friend. Please persuade him to divorce her as soon as possible. If this continues, I’m afraid Clayton will really die,” Lillian said.
“Aunt Lillian, you must take care of yourself too.” Carson couldn’t persuade Clayton, so he could only comfort Lillian first.
Lillian wiped her tears and shook her head wearily. “I can’t stay here with him all the time. Please keep an eye on him.” Then she trembled to her feet and
left.
After seeing Lillian off, Carson returned to the ward. “Your mom just left. You can wake up now.”
