b55 /bvouchere

Fiona said, “Whether you give it or not is your business, but I advise you to make up your mind quickly. Otherwise, if I change my mind and release Olivia. Then who knows what will happen?”

Margaret’s mind raced. 150 thousand was no small sum for the Shermans. Yet Cheryl had insisted that only by eliminating Olivia could their family’s situation improve. Thus, Margaret gritted her teeth and agreed.

She said, “Fine, 150 thousand it is. You had better keep your word.” She then transferred the money to Fiona’s

ount.

Fiona grinned from ear to ear as she checked the iing funds in her ount. She said, “As long as the money is in ce, everything else can be arranged. Mrs. Sherman, just wait for the celebration–the rest is up

to me.”

No sooner had the words been spoken than Fiona’s phone began to ring.

“Who could be calling at this hour?” Fiona muttered as she answered the phone, her previously smiling face gradually growing tense.

It was Marcus’s driver on the line. He said, “Mrs. Hale, Mr. Hale’s been arrested. They’reing for you next. Run–now. They are already at the Sherman Group.”

Before he could finish, the office door was knocked open. A group of individuals dressed in police uniforms stood at the entrance and presented their identification.

One of them said, “Fiona, we have a case that requires your cooperation in the investigation. Pleasee with

us.”

Fiona’s hand shook; the phone ttered to the floor. She’d weathered crises before and refused to lose her head now. Forcing a smile, she asked, “I haven’t broken anyw. Why am I being arrested? Don’t you have to tell me what I’m charged with?”

As she spoke, she directed a gaze seeking help toward Margaret.

Margaret nodded and said, “That’s absolutely right. This is the Sherman family’s territory. You cannot simply take someone away just because you say so.”

The leader officer cast a cold nce at Margaret and said, “If you do not cooperate withw enforcement, I can take you in as well.”

Margaret’s eyes widened. She grumbled inwardly, ‘How dare he? I am thedy of the Sherman family!

Before Margaret couldsh out, Fiona shot her a warning look and handed the officer a cup of coffee. She said, “Please, have some coffee first. Let’s talk this through calmly.”

The lead officer snapped, “If you have anything to say, save it for the station. You have the right to remain silent; anything you say may be used against you.” With that, he handcuffed Fiona.

It was only then that Fiona realized the gravity of the situation. She asked, “Are you from the North District Police Station?”

bTU/bb:/b14 Sat, bOct /bb4 /b

b94 /b

55 vouchers

The officer snapped, “Why do you talk so much, olddy? If I tell you to follow, then follow. If you’re innocent, no one will wrong you.”

Fiona turned to look at Margaret.

At this moment, Margaret did not dare to speak up for her, worried about what she would do if the investigation implicated her.

After all, the Sherman family’s own dirty dealings were every bit as bad as Fiona’s–if not worse–and wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny either.

As the officers shoved her into the back seat, Fiona’s panic red into frenzy. She thrashed against the cuffs and yelled, “Let me out. Get Nn here–now. My husband is Marcus.”

Her shouts echoed off the metal doors and died unanswered. Even now, she couldn’t ept that Marcus had finally fallen.

The Sherman Group was located in the city center, where many people passed by. Just like that, Fiona was taken away in full view of the public. The news quickly spread throughout thepany and on the inte.

After watching Fiona being led away from the Sherman Group, countless partners phoned Margaret, anxious that thepany might be in jeopardy.

One caller snapped, “Margaret, that woman was dragged out of your office. You can’t tell me you didn’t know. It’s all over the news–what are you going to do about it?”

Margaret replied calmly, “She’s a friend. It’s nothing serious–she was just brought in for questioning. The real issue is the underprivileged student we sponsored; she’s the one they’re holding. My friend went to assist with the inquiry.

“Rest assured, there will be no issues; I can guarantee this. No, how could we possibly have any connection with that student? We’re strangers now–there’s absolutely nothing between us.

“Very well. When William’s birthdayes around, we would be honored if you coulde visit us.”

Margaret spent quite some time exining with a smile before she was able to reassure the business partners.

After hanging up, Margaret fumed inwardly, ‘William’s vanished since this mess began–God knows whose bed he’s warming now. I’m the one keeping the entire family afloat.‘

Margaret’s faith in Fiona didn’t rest on Fiona’s talent; it rested on Marcus, the district chief. Margaret figured anyone who’d reached that level had real clout. But she couldn’t shake off the feeling that something awful wasing, and it was driving her crazy.

Fiona’s anxiety spiked as soon as she reached the station. She didn’t recognize a single officer, and rm turned to dread when she spotted Nn inside the interrogation room. Her steps faltered. She thought, ‘Nn’s finished. I will be the next.

The police officer who brought Fiona did not waste any time and threw her into another interrogation room. He demanded, “Marcus has already confessed; you should hurry up, too.” fnd68a For original chapters go to f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?/fnd68a

10:14 bSat/bb, /bbOct /bb4 /b

8:0

20

Fiona said, “I want to see Marcus. Until I do, I won’t believe a word–and I won’t say a word.” So far, she’d only heard rumors; until she saw it with her own eyes, she wouldn’t believe it.

The officer said, “As you wish.”

The next second, all officers withdrew, leaving Fiona alone in the interrogation room.

The cold, gloomy interrogation room made Fiona shiver despite herself. She kept whispering, “It’s okay. I’ll be out soon.” But when the door opened again, her face drained of color.

Marcus stood there in handcuffs, shoulders sagging, eyes vacant.

Fiona said, “Marcus, what happened?”

Marcus’s anger red the moment he saw Fiona. He thought, ‘If she’d handled this cleanly and left no loose ends, I wouldn’t be in cuffs.‘ He snarled, “Fiona, this is all on you. You botched a simple job, and now we’re all finished.”

Over the past few hours, Marcus’s life had careened from peak to abyss, leaving him raw. Had anyone’s grip slipped for a second, he would have throttled Fiona with his bare hands.

Fiona trembled, finally realizing her schemes had copsed–her patron had fallen too.

Marcus snapped, “This is all because of you and that idiot Nn.”

AD

Comment