Chapter 2378
Chapter 2378
Grant asked, "Who?"
"Yvonne! It must be Yvonne!" Clarice gritted her teeth in fury. "She's been with Christopher for years. She must have heard things about me. She's even met you a few times in Meridan. Now that I'm back, she must have suspected something and has been shadowing me! That incident at the orphanage was the first sign!"
Grant smiled faintly, offering no comment.
Clarice's eyes gleamed with malice. "Sir, we cannot let Yvonne live! If she suspects me, it doesn't matter. But if she starts suspecting you and goes to Bella with nonsense, that will be a problem!"
Grant appeared slightly weary. "Your concern is not unfounded. However, I don't have the time or energy to waste on such irrelevant people right now."
"Sir, please leave it to me!" Clarice kneeled before him, gripping his hand tightly in hers." That vile woman is mine to deal with. Whatever it takes, no matter the cost, I will protect you and ensure you claim everything that rightfully belongs to you!"
**
The next evening, in the wine cellar at Yara Park.
"What did you just say? A switcheroo?!" Ralph was so shocked that his brows knit into a frown. He nearly crushed the glass in his hand. "Are you telling me the prison system in Savrow is useless? Are we acting in "The Shawshank Redemption'?!"
Bella swirled her glass of red wine in one hand, propping her chin with the other. "More like "The Shawshank Swap'."
She smirked and was about to take a sip when Asher suddenly appeared.
His large hand covered the rim of her glass. "Bella, the doctor told you-no alcohol for a month. Did you forget?"
"Oh, come on! We're in a wine cellar!" Bella pouted in dismay.
"A prisoner gets switched out under everyone's noses, and someone else takes their place? This is worse than an escape! If word gets out, the police will be humiliated!" Ralph
slammed the table in anger. "No way! First thing tomorrow, I'm reporting this to the department!"
Bella's gaze turned sharp. “Absolutely not. If Lucas could orchestrate this from within the prison, it means there's a mole in the Savrow Police. If you report it and make it public, we'll lose our lead. Worse, we may never uncover Grant's hidden conspiracy. A lack of patience will only lead to chaos."Text © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.
Asher nodded solemnly as he swapped his sister's wine with a glass of warm water. "I agree
with Bella. Acting now will ruin everything."
Ralph groaned in frustration, burying his face in his hands. He was a police officer driven by an unwavering sense of justice. To know a criminal was roaming free and be forced to wait was worse than torture!
Asher sat beside his sister. "Ralph, has anyone at the precinct been acting suspiciously lately?"
"A colleague?" Bella's almond-shaped eyes narrowed. She took a sip of water. "For someone to have this level of power, their rank must be fairly high-possibly as high as the commissioner."
Ralph's eyes widened in disbelief. "Bella, are you saying you suspect Superintendent Donald?"
"For now, keep this under wraps, act as though nothing happened, and quietly investigate Lucas' prison records. We need more evidence before drawing conclusions."
Ralph ran his tongue over his teeth, his jaw tightening. Finally, he made up his mind. "Fine! Bella's instincts have never been wrong. This time, I'll follow you all the way and make sure I don't mess things up!"
Bella chuckled, her smile lighting up the room.
Ever since Justin's troubles began, it had been a long time since her brothers had seen her smile. It warmed their hearts so much that their eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"Next, I need to investigate the patients held in that abandoned hospital building." Her expression grew serious. "Something about their situation is deeply troubling."
"I don't understand one thing." Asher frowned, his handsome features darkened by confusion. "The Fowler family has completely collapsed. They have nothing left to offer Grant. Why go out of his way to help Lucas escape prison?"
Bella tapped her delicate chin with a finger, lost in thought.
Asher's question struck the heart of the matter.
Grant's polished, courteous exterior masked a cold and ruthless personality. He never did anything that didn't benefit him, nor did he help people who were of no use to him. His treatment of Christopher was proof enough of his cruel and calculating nature.
After a moment of silence, Bella took a deep breath.
"They must be working together. But to what end, we'll need to dig deeper to uncover."
In the kitchen, Yvonne helped Celeste and Sasha prepare snacks for the family to enjoy the next day.
Drew had bought Yvonne a villa in Hatchbay and registered it in her name. It was close to Yara Park, making it convenient for her to visit.
Yvonne had no family of her own. To her, the Thompson family was her family. She often visited to lend a hand, though she was careful not to overstay her welcome, mindful of causing any inconvenience.
Her cautious, gentle nature endeared her to the Thompson family, though it also made them pity her all the more.
"Yvonne, when Drew returns next time, you two should get your marriage sorted," Sasha said while kneading dough. She exchanged a knowing look with Celeste. "No need for all this back and forth. Just move in and save the trouble. Besides, we need a fourth player for our
card games!"
Yvonne's cheeks flushed crimson as her heart raced. She fumbled with the dough in her
hands. "I-I don't really know how to play."
Celeste beamed, chiming in, "Sasha is right. You'll be part of the family sooner or later. With Drew away so often, we'd feel better if you weren't living alone.
"It's fine. I can come and go. I don't mind the trouble, and I can take care of myself." Yvonne's voice was soft and sweet. Her humility was tinged with an undercurrent of
uncertainty.
Deep down, she remained haunted by feelings of unworthiness and a fear of losing the happiness she had found. Even though she knew Drew loved her, her insecurities lingered.
Sasha was about to speak again when she suddenly froze.
Drew was standing in the doorway of the kitchen. His hands casually tucked into his pockets, his gaze locked onto Yvonne's slender back. His eyes burned with an intense, undeniable affection that seemed to fill the room with warmth.