CHAPTER 427: CHAPTER 427: TAKING IT OUT ON OTHERS

Today is the freshman registration day, and since there might be too many cars on campus which is unsafe, all vehicles from outsiders are not allowed in.

But Mrs. Hayes’ status means she doesn’t need to worry about this, as the dean had already been informed about her coming.

Therefore, it took less than two minutes to drive from the dean’s comprehensive building No. 3 to the dormitory building.

By the time Mrs. Hayes arrived, Jocelyn Hayes had already gotten a general understanding of the situation from Ariana Grant.

"Isn’t it just that she failed the interview, didn’t dare to vent at the SQ Corporation, and took it out on Ashley Shaw instead!"

Ariana Grant gave a thumbs up: "Spot on! But now, what should we do?"

Jocelyn Hayes patted Ariana Grant’s shoulder.

"Don’t worry, with my mom here, nothing will happen."

Ariana Grant had a quick introduction to the Hayes Family from Ashley Shaw earlier today.

Knowing their significant influence, she felt a bit relieved but didn’t forget Ashley Shaw’s instructions before leaving to inform Owen Sinclair about the situation.

She didn’t have Owen Sinclair’s contact information, but she had Shane Coleman’s.

After briefly explaining the situation to Shane Coleman, he said over the phone, "Don’t worry, I’ll tell Owen immediately. Tell Ashley not to be afraid. Even if they falsely accuse her, I’m here. Don’t forget I’m a lawyer, I deal with these things for a living."

Ariana Grant felt reassured, as if she had taken a calming pill.

"Thank you..."

"What are you thanking me for? We’re all on the same side! Alright, I’ll call Uncle Owen first. If you need to do anything, I’ll let you know."

"Okay."

Ariana Grant didn’t dare waste time and immediately hung up the phone.

Just then, Mrs. Hayes arrived.

She left two guards in plain clothes downstairs and came up by herself.

However, when she got there, she didn’t see the companions Jocelyn Hayes talked about. After asking, she realized it wasn’t Jocelyn Hayes in trouble, but her beloved new friend.

After understanding the basic situation, Mrs. Hayes comforted the two of them, "The truth will prevail, as long as she’s innocent, she won’t be falsely accused."

Jocelyn Hayes understood her mother’s implication.

If Ashley Shaw was truly someone who liked to slander others, she wouldn’t intervene.

She was confident in her judgment of character, and even more in her brother’s, so she was certain Ashley Shaw was being framed.

However, her mother’s words made her somewhat uncomfortable.

Her attitude turned firm all of a sudden.

"Mom, Ashley is the first good friend I made in Aethelgard, I don’t want anything to happen to her. If anything happens to her, I’m not attending this school anymore."

Mrs. Hayes immediately frowned and said, "What kind of talk is that?"

"The truth!"

"You—"

"Anyway, you must resolve this issue for me, or I’ll follow through with what I said."

Mrs. Hayes was extremely frustrated.

But she couldn’t lose her temper with her only daughter.

Because Jocelyn Hayes was a premature baby with an anemic heart condition, unable to withstand any stress.

After thinking it over, she could only agree.

"No matter what the situation is, I’ll make sure she’s fine."

If it’s really slander, it’s not that big of a deal.

In short, her daughter’s happiness is most important.

Just as she was planning to go to the station to inquire about the case, Jocelyn Hayes suddenly said, "Mom, when they were taking Ashley away, I didn’t hear any sirens. You came quickly, maybe they haven’t reached the campus gate yet. You drove here, hurry up and block them, it might still be in time."

Realizing how important Ashley Shaw was to Jocelyn Hayes, Mrs. Hayes started taking it seriously too.

Mrs. Hayes nodded.

"Alright, I’ll go chase them down now and see if I’m on time."

Not having to be taken in would be the best result.

Girls at this age are afraid of situations like this; even a single trip might scare them out of their wits.

"I’m going with you!" Jocelyn Hayes said.

Mrs. Hayes didn’t refuse and turned to leave.

Ariana Grant immediately wanted to follow.

Jocelyn Hayes glanced at the "thief girl" still in the dormitory and said, "You stay here, don’t forget, we’ve informed the police."

"But Ashley’s situation is more urgent now."

"I promise you, Ashley will be back soon. If you come with us, there won’t be enough room in the car."

Ariana Grant had to nod in agreement.

Mrs. Hayes turned her head and said, "If you want to catch up, stop talking and let’s go."

Jocelyn Hayes promptly responded and quickly followed Mrs. Hayes downstairs.

Meanwhile, Ashley Shaw walked along with several police officers towards the campus gate.

Although she was trailing behind everyone, she still attracted a lot of quiet chatter from many new students.

Some even recognized her.

"Isn’t she the one... who came with Actor Sinclair?"

"Yeah, that’s her. Why is she with the police now? Did something happen?"

"I’m not sure... but with five police officers coming to take someone away, something significant must have happened."

Ashley Shaw thought she was someone who couldn’t be easily affected by external factors, but being escorted like this in front of many eyes made her feel uncomfortable.

Even her palms were slightly sweaty with cold sweat.

No matter how thick-skinned a person believes themselves to be, they’ll still feel embarrassed.

At this moment, she even wished they could take her to the station sooner.

Ashley Shaw took a deep breath and forced herself to appear calm.

She reminded herself that she was just cooperating with the police investigation, not committing any crime.

The walk to the gate, though ordinarily long, seemed endless now.

By the time she finally reached the gate, cold sweat had already formed on her forehead.

Seeing the police car, she even felt a sense of relief.

"Get in!"

The leading officer opened the car door for her.

Feeling embarrassed, Ashley Shaw quickly bent down and got in.

Only after getting in did she realize there was someone else in the back seat.

It wasn’t someone in a police uniform, but someone in black plain clothes.

The person turned their gaze towards her, and Ashley Shaw looked back.

He was a middle-aged man, dark-eyed, with a noticeable scar at the corner of his eye.

"You’re Ashley Shaw?" he asked expressionlessly, but a hint of disdain showed in his eyes.

Ashley Shaw noticed it.

She frowned slightly and nodded, "That’s me, and you are?"

"Hugh York."

Last name York.

Ashley Shaw understood instantly.

For Hugh York to be sitting in a police car waiting for her implied he was in the law enforcement circle.

At that moment, her empathy towards Jensen Hayes deepened.

It’s people like Hugh York, who abuse their power, that spoil everything.

Yet, many people genuinely serve the public.

It’s people like Hugh York who ruin the public’s correct perception of the field.

Because Hugh York disliked her, Ashley Shaw also showed her dislike.

"Mr. York, I wonder what Miss York told you? Mixing personal with official matters like this, is it really okay? Aren’t you afraid of being accused of abusing authority and bullying ordinary folks without power or influence?"