Chapter 42
Clayton squatted in front of her, looking at the red and swollen slap mark on Audrey’s lace, regretting that he had hit too hard. “Audrey, I’m sorry I hit you so hard, but that’s the only way to appease Mom and Dad. I did it for your own good.”
Audrey didn’t cry or make a fuss. She seemed to have been drained of her soul, beautiful like a doll. But if one looked closely, one could see her tightly pressed lips. She would make the Patel family pay for that slap.
“We didn’t call the police,” a servant said.
“Number 22, Starise House, right? We received a call,” one of the officers said.
Clayton’s face turned pale, not expecting the police to arrive so quickly. Lillian also panicked and turned to John. “What do we do?”
John watched Audrey coldly. “When they ask, just say you had a little argument with Clayton. Don’t mention anything about the money, or you’ll never have peace in Ironhaven.”
The servant led the police into the courtyard, with Valerie and her daughter trailing behind, looking bewildered and anxious. “Clayton, what happened?”
Valene asked.
Clayton ignored her and tried to help Audrey up, but she dodged his hand and looked at the police officer holding the body camera. “They framed me for stealing money and assaulted me.”
“Audrey, shut up.” Clayton wished he could cover her mouth.
“Audrey, I know you lost your job because of me, but you can’t steal their money” Valerie said, pulling her daughter forward, her face showing disapproval. “Even though you’re Clayton’s wife, Mr. and Mrs. Patel’s money don’t belong to you. If you need money, you can tell Clayton.”
Audrey caught a flash of provocation in Valerie’s eyes. She called the police. No wonder they arrived so fast. Since she interrupted my act, I’ll just push her into the spotlight in front of the Patel family, she wondered.
have nothing to say to you. The police will uncover the truth.” Audrey showed ! twollen face to the police “demand a medical examination. My husband has been abusive.”
dinto
“No, it’s nothing serious. They just had a little quarrel.” Lillian quickly stepped in to mediate.
She forced a smile and tried to take Audrey’s hand. “You always suspect something between Clayton and Vally, making a big deal out of nothing.”
The responding officers weren’t there for gossip. Once they confirmed that their intervention wasn’t needed, they were ready to leave, but they had to go through the motions
“Who called the police?” one of the
Lillian glanced at Audrey, warning her not to cause trouble, or she’d pay for it once the police left. Audrey pulled her hand away
y and remained silent.
John Clayton a look, signaling him to handle the situation.
“My wife’s phone was damaged, and it might have accidentally dialed 911. We’re fine now” Clayton gestured for Audrey to explain
Audrey ignored their signals, looking hopefully at the police, waiting for them to investigate
Seeing that no one was admitting it, the officer took out the dispatch form. “Who has a phone with the last four digits 32317”
Valerie suddenly squeezed Luna’s hand tightly. “Oh no, I should have used a different phone to call the police; she thought.
ok at Valerie and followed his gen
Laban, seeing Audray’s can expression, had a bad jeeling. She noticed her son slowly turning to look at
“Clayton, i—* Valena’s face turned pale, and she couldn’t get the words out
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Chapter 47
Lillian clenched her fist tightly. She was aware of Valerie’s feelings for Clayton. Lillian didn’t think much of Audrey, an orphan, and she also didn’t approve of Valerie, who was already mairied and had a child.
The only reason Lillian tolerated Valerie was out of gratitude for past favors. But allowing her to marry Clayton was out of the question.
Out of respect for their hidry, she had treated Valerie politely, which had led the servants to follow her example. And now, one of them had actually hers, resulting in stinfing up trouble.
Lillian glared fiercely at the servant who had let Valerie in, and the servant was now sweating profusely.
“Who has a phone with the last four digits 32111” the officer asked again.
No one answered. Audrey spoke up for Valerie “‘s her,” she pointed at Valerie, whose face turned red at once.
The office turned to look at her “You called the police? What’s your relationship to this family?”
What relationship? Benefactor Can’t say that? Obviously not. How about saying I’m Clayton’s childhood friend? With that title, I don”t seem to have the right to meddle in their family affairs, she thought.
Valene looked to Clayton for help. “Clayton?”
Clayton, seeing her awkward situation, was annoyed that she had involved the police in the first place, but since they were already here, he had to resolve the matter smoothly. “She used to be our neighbor”
“Neighbor? In Clayton’s eyes, I’m not even a good friend? is that how he introduces me? Valerie thought bitterly, her face twisting into a self mocking
smile.
im
“Maybe misheard. I’m sorry, Can cancel the call?” Valerie said weakly, looking as if she might faint if the police refused.
“Since you’re already here, I want to file a report,” Audrey interjected suddenly. “I did call the police. They assaulted me and prevented me from making
the call..
“What nonsense are you talking about? Who hit you? You just bumped into Clayton’s hand,” Lillian said inntably.
The officer holding the body camera had to suppress a smirk. People who lived in Starise House were usually of high status, and her words were quite awkward. “How could she bump into someone’s hand and get a slap mark on her lace?” he thought.
The captain glanced at the officer with the body camera, trying to hide his disdain.
Wyatt stepped aside to make a call, asking his friend to recall the responding officers. Before they could figure out what was going on, another group of police arrived. After a brief exchange, they got the general idea of the situation.
Clayton felt like he was caught between a rock and a hard place, constantly giving Audrey meaningful looks to get her to deal with all this.
Audrey, however, ignored him completely and stepped in front of the police. “This is my husband’s house. They lost some money and are forcing me to admit that I stole it. When I refused, they hit me.”
“Audrey, stop talking nonsense.” Clayton tried to take her hand, but Audrey covered her head and hid behind the police officer, acting as if she was scared of being hit again. “The police are here, and you’re still trying to intimidate me.”
Since there were two groups of police, they decided to separate
rate the p parties for questioning
“Clayton, now that the police are here, don’t cover for her,” Lillian said, squeezing Clayton’s arm.
“It’s a fact that Audrey stole the money. She won’t admit it and is even trying to turn the tables. The neighbors already know about this. Even if you want to hide it, it’s impossible. If it gets out, people will think something happened to your father.”
Clayton knew he had to choose between his father’s career and Audrey’s reputation.
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Chapter 42
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The money was indeed taken by Audrey. Even if he wanted to protect her, he couldn’t. So, he was clear in his mind that he had to make a choice
it’s like this. My wife has been under the impression that I have a mistress in retaliation, the book the money from the house,” said Clayton
Clayton concluded the convertation and walked out of the living room, looking at Auchey, who was talking to the police in the courtyard
so tall and straight in front of the tall police officess, neither humble nor arrogant, with a firm and bright look in her eyes.
No matter what, she didn’t seem guilty or panicked. For a moment, Clayton actually felt a sense of guilt himself
