"We've been cautious and have made sure no details leaked out." Justin's eyes turned cold and dark. "I think the Iverson family has placed spies around the homes of the two main witnesses, watching them closely. They found out about our meeting with Rachel and were worried she might beca witness, so they wanted to eliminate her.” "Damn it!" Bella and lan exclaimed in unison.
"Charles is still detained. He couldn't have contacted anyone. So who are the ones acting on his behalf? Could it be that bastard, Christopher?!" lan asked with frustration.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBella disagreed with a slight shake of her head. "It can't be Christopher. Out of the whole Iverson family, he's the one who really wants to see those scoundrels in the family brought down one by one. There is no way he would help Charles. It's probably Lance and James instead." "It's James, no doubt about it," Justin said confidently, his gaze cold.
Bella quickly grabbed his hand, her stunning eyes darting around. “Justin, what makes you so certain it's him?" "Lance is not a gangster who goes around killing people he doesn't like. He's a relatively successful businessman, and successful businessmen understand the importance of playing it safe. So unless there's really no other choice, he wouldn't go to such extrlengths.
"Even if Charles does end up with stbehind bars, the Iversons will probably pull sstrings and get him out in twelve or thirteen years at the most. Plus, as the chairman of the group, Lance wouldn't take any chances by resorting to murder just to save someone insignificant like Charles, especially if that meant risking everything." Justin's rational assessment made sense. "Also, Charles isn't his sole heir. There is also James and the up-and-coming talent, Christopher. Lance wouldn't get involved in that mess. But the situation with James is different. Bella, you're the one who knows best about the complex dynamics within the Iverson family." Suddenly, Bella felt that Justin had pushed away the gloom in her heart. Her thoughts becclearer.
"That jerk, Christopher, currently has Lance's favor, while James must be fuming and getting bolder in his schemes to win back his father's approval. He's probably trying to earn points with Lance by clearing Charles' name. The Iverson siblings have always mistreated Christopher, and James and Astrid have benefited from him over the years. If James can help Charles, it's like gaining an ally for himself, especially since Charles still has shares in the Iverson group." Justin's throat felt dry as he swallowed, an unexplained feeling of agitation growing inside him. “Bella, do you sympathize with Christopher?" "Yes, I do." His breath hitched, and his hand on her waist tightened slowly.
"But what I sympathize with is the Christopher from fifteen years ago. Not the current Christopher, who's becdisturbingly obsessed with greed and ruthlessness." As Bella recalled ner Trienasnip with Christopher when they were 'ounger, a variety of intense feelings lstirred inside her, but she kept ooking at Justin steadily, without iny hesitation. "I believed that someone who had experienced pain vould comprehend the desire to protect others from hardship. But stead, he turned into someone vho continuously destroyed other >eople. I don't understand what led im to change like this when he vent to Sentania, but whatever it vas, it doesn't justify his behavior." If one were to compare the hardships Justin faced in the past, they were much greater than what Christopher experienced. However even with hew conflicts and old grudges, Justin never lost his good nature or tarnished his clear soul. That's why she admired him. Justin was a person of strong morals and righteousness. Who wouldn't love someone like that? After hearing what she said, Justin smiled with a mix of relief and sarcasm, giving the woman a tender kiss on the cheek.
"President Salvador, Young Madam, I'll send someone to look into it right away, starting with James!" lan glared at them with intense hatred in his eyes.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmet "lan, you don't need to worry about anything from now on. Just focus on healing your wounds." Justin refused with a serious expression, "Bella and I will find a way regarding James. Ralph will deal with the assassin who hurt Ms. Mead." Bella leaned on Justin's arms and raised her eyebrows.
"But... But I'm still worried!" lan was out of breath, feeling the pain in his heart. "When I think of Ms. Mead being strangled by that man, pleading for help, I just wish I could take him down myself!" "If you want peace of mind, then just stay by Rachel's side." Bella could tell what he was thinking and gently said, “Look out for her like a big brother. Make sure she's well taken care of, and focus on helping her gain weight. Ian, that's the most important thing right now." "Young Madam...” lan's eyes filled with tears as he struggled to speak, but before he could say anything, there was a knock at the door from outside the ward.
"Ms. Bella, are you inside?" It was Steven, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.
Bella and Justin hurried over to open the door. "Steve!" Outside, Steven was sweating profusely, clearly having rushed there. His voice was urgent. "Ms. Bella, when I arrived, I happened to run into Mrs. Mead and the parents of another girl who was victimized. They specifically asked to see you."