“Then tell me, what reason would Abigail Bernstein have to hurt your father?” James asked in return. “Was there a grudge between them? If there was, would he have appointed Abigail to be his successor?”
Neil said nothing, because he could not argue against that.
James then added, “The police have already performed an autopsy on your father. There was poisoning.”
The private autopsy performed under Diarmuid’s orders was highly irregular, so James told Neil that it was the police. In fact, the police themselves told James that it was not difficult to smooth things over.
Naturally, Neil was left dumbstruck.
“W-What did you do to my father?!” he snapped, pointing an accusing finger at James. “Don’t you touch him!”
“The police have to do their investigations, or would you rather your father died with justice denied?”
Neil was silent—he certainly would not want that.
If there really was someone who did murder his father, he would punish them!
“Was what he said true? You’re not bribed, are you?” Neil asked as he walked towards Officer Jenkins, confused as to what was really the truth just then.
“It’s all true,” Officer Jenkins told him dutifully. “It’s not the first time New Suns Pharma is culpable in murder or conspiracy to murder. They actually distributed problematic medication before that led to several deaths, but the families decided to settle instead of pressing charges since they were paid a lot of money. We’ve also received a tip recently and launched an investigation on their company, which revealed more than a few suspicious operations—all I want to say is that they can and will murder your father for money.”
Neil stumbled a couple stacks backward, while asking himself inwardly if it was true.
“Feel free to ask me if you have any questions. I’ll answer everything to my knowledge,” Officer Jenkins said.
“Just… Let me have a moment,” Neil said.
He was certainly confused.
“Of course,” Officer Jenkins replied. “You can come to me anytime.”
And with a nod at Diarmuid, he left.
James brought Neil a glass of water, saying, “Now think carefully about what you’re going to do.”
Neil gulped, and looked at James anxiously. “You’re not lying, are you? I can’t let my father’s death go unanswered…”
“No, I’m not,” James told him confidently.
Neil suddenly hid his face behind his palms and started to bawl.
A man—a full-fledged adult at that—was bawling like a child!
As Neil cried a river, James was pursing his lips in disdain.
Still, he became more understanding when he considered Neil’s misery from losing a loved one, even passing him a tissue.
Be that as it may, it still took Neil a long while to calm down.
Wiping his face and looking up at James, he asked, “This isn’t a ploy, right?”
James shook his head. “We won’t lie to you. Your father was a good man.”
Neil nodded. “Okay.”
He was about to leave when Diarmuid called out to him. “I heard that you’re working at Hartner Corp. Once you’re done with your father’s funeral arrangements, you’ll be promoted when you return to work.”
Neil’s eyes widened in shock—he had been working at Hartner for years, but he never had a chance to be promoted.
And now…
“Thank you,” he exclaimed happily—a promotion naturally meant a bigger paycheck, but…
Getting skeptical again, he asked, “You’re not helping me with the promotion out of guilt, are you?”
James was speechless, whereas Diarmuid said, “You can turn down the offer if you doubt me.”
He was already getting impatient and he rose to his feet, striding away.
Getting through to Neil was just so… difficult.
Even James felt enfeebled, and he could not find the right words to describe Niel.
Still, he clapped the man on the shoulder and said, “The promotion was for your father’s sake. Abigail Bernstein wouldn’t be the new director of Hotmesh Research if not for him, and shouldn’t we respond in kind? If your father’s death really was Abigail’s fault, and we’re actually the villains, we’d just kill you after you harassed Abigail so much. Why would we even waste our breath?”
Neil flinched and asked in disbelief, “You mean… You’d kill me?”
James’ gaze turned cool and sharp. “Would you like to put that to the test?”
Neil quickly shook his head. “N-No…”
“Then go home. Just wait for updates on your father’s case,” James told him.
Neil nodded, finally willing to trust James ever so slightly… though he would stop as soon as he noticed anything fishy.
Still, he stopped at the door, and asked, “About my promotion…”
“Don’t worry,” James assured him. “Mr. Althoff isn’t really upset.”
Neil nodded repeatedly. “Okay.”
With that, James walked him out of the building.
…
At their hotel, Martin asked Lulu, “When are we going back?”
“Once Abigail’s case is over,” she replied—she could not rest easy until the case was over.
“You’re eager to go home, aren’t you?” Lulu asked as she sat beside him. “Why don’t you head home first?”
Martin seemed to pause for a moment and he stared fixedly at her. “Trying to send me away?”
Lulu frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” Martin replied, standing up and shaking his head, but also keeping his back to her. “I’d be worried if you’re alone while pregnant. I’ll stay.”
However, it was obvious to Lulu that he threw a loaded question her way.
Her mood taking a downswing, she rose to her feet and headed to the bedroom.
He lay down on his side behind Lulu, putting a palm on her belly and gently stroking it. “Sorry.”
Lulu’s eyes were open but she did not reply.
“I was just worried you’d meet the man who got you pregnant, and…”
Lulu suddenly turned around, still lying on her side—a little too quickly.
Martin cried, “What are you doing? Don’t you know that you’re pregnant?!”
Lulu took no notice, and instead kept her eyes fixed on him. “You knew?”
“Know what?” Martin asked.
Lulu pursed her lips. “You know what I’m talking about.”
Martin blinked. “No, I really don’t.”
“Anyway, I’m getting sleepy.” He yawned and wrapped his arms firmly around her. “Let’s sleep!”
However, Lulu felt uneasy and her heart was pounding.
Still, she said determinedly, “I wouldn’t have married you if I was convinced I can reconcile with my ex. I hope you can trust me when I say that you’re my refuge, alright?”
“Yeah, I know,” Martin said, kissing her hair. “I misspoke and made you uncomfortable. I’ll be more careful next time.”
“That’s not it,” Lulu said, shaking her head.
Still, she took a while to prepare herself before saying, “The man we met at the lobby the other day? That’s my ex.”
“I know,” Martin said.
Lulu was not surprised, and she lowered her gaze. “I should’ve known you’d pick up on it. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to feel upset…”
“Cut that out,” Martin said, holding her hand. “I knew you had a past even when I chose you. But I don’t mind—that’s why I asked you to marry me.”
Lulu closed her eyes.
“If only I didn’t have this child… I’d be happy with you.”
Martin frowned. “Where did that silly talk come from? I asked you to keep the child because he’s alive. We could be happy with him too.”
Sighing, he said, “I know you’d feel guilty toward me. But I really don’t mind.”
“Thank you,” Lulu rasped.
“Come on, we’re married,” Martin said, giving her a hug. “Don’t be so formal ever again. You know that I’m a loner without a family, but I have a family again now with you. I should thank you instead.”
“What’s that thing about being formal again?” Lulu pointed out.
“Whatever, let’s sleep.” Martin snorted.
“Yeah,” Lulu replied, nestling in his arms.
Even so, they were caught in their thoughts despite closing their eyes, and pretended to fall asleep even if they could not.
…
Lulu woke up first in the morning, and stared at the face of the man who lay inches away.
He was not that handsome, but he understood her, cared for her, and cherished her.
As she reached out to touch his face, he suddenly opened his jet-black eyes that appeared relaxed after sleep, rasping, “You’re awake?”
“Yeah,” Lulu whispered, withdrawing her hand.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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