Lucian regarded the woman beside him in concern. “What are you thinking? Are you still unwilling to believe that Colby would do such a thing?”
Lifting her eyes, Roxanne met his gaze. She said nothing, but the look in her eyes spoke volumes. Indeed, overturning one’s long-time perception toward someone wasn’t something that could be accomplished overnight, at least not for her.
Casting a gaze in the direction where the police car had left, she asked, “What will happen to him?” Immediately, a frown marred Lucian’s countenance. “Even now, you still care about him?”
Roxanne’s expression turned rueful. “You don’t understand. Ultimately, he worked with me for many years. Besides, I can’t shake off the feeling that I was part of the reason for everything he did.”
If it weren’t because I was dense in matters of the heart, and if I had realized his feelings for me earlier, perhaps all this wouldn’t have happened. My thinking was too simple. He’s an outstanding doctor, but he’s been my deputy all these years. Yet, I took it as a matter of course.
As she was wallowing in guilt, a pair of arms gathered her into a cool embrace without warning. A massive hand stroked her head. On the heels of that, Lucian’s baritone voice drifted into her ears.
“This isn’t your fault. He was the one who strayed from the path. No one expresses their love in such a manner.” Roxanne’s heart skipped a bit. She stared at his profile blankly, hoping to hear more from him.
“If he really loves you, he wouldn’t be able to bring himself to hurt you. He did many things to sabotage you, so he only has himself to blame for the consequences he’s bearing today. Pushing all the blame on you was merely his way of justifying himself.”
Well, I reckon Colby realized his mistakes when he was caught. Unfortunately, there was already no turning back for him. Hence, he could only use such a method to console himself that he hadn’t done anything wrong.
At Lucian’s analysis, the heavy boulder weighing on Roxanne’s heart slowly lifted. “But why exactly did he do all that?” Still, she couldn’t understand Colby’s motivations.
She didn’t think he was lying about anything he said before he was taken away. In fact, she believed that he really had feelings for her. However, she couldn’t figure out his reason for hurting her.
As Lucian said, if he really likes me, he wouldn’t be able to stand hurting me. The scene Lucian saw in the surveillance footage popped into his mind, and his gaze darkened a shade.
When the gas was produced, Colby was actually calling out to Jack. In other words, Jack was his real target, but Roxanne ruined his plan by accident.
However, if he had stopped the latter at that time, Jack would have definitely noticed something amiss. As such, he could only watch as Roxanne placed herself in the path of danger.
Nonetheless, Lucian didn’t plan on telling Roxanne about it. After all, she seemed to have been greatly moved by Colby’s words, and he didn’t want another man to take up space in her heart.
In any case, Roxanne hadn’t expected to obtain an answer either. When the man remained silent, she muttered, “Also, he said this wasn’t the only thing he did. What else did he do?”
Lucian stroked her hair in comfort. “I’ll investigate. Don’t dwell upon it anymore. You’ve just recovered, so rest more.”
Since Colby had been arrested, the research institute would end up without a leader at the helm if Roxanne were to leave. Thus, she could only stay for the time being and seek out another trustworthy researcher.
She told him about the subsequent project arrangements and had him take Colby’s place temporarily. Worried, Lucian kept watch beside her.
By the time Roxanne was done giving her instructions, it was already evening, time for everyone to get off work. Getting to her feet, she left with Lucian.
No sooner had they reached the entrance of the research institute than a Rolls-Royce suddenly screeched to a stop before them with great fanfare.
Roxanne found the car in front of her a tad familiar, but she couldn’t remember whose vehicle it was at that very moment.
Before she could figure out the answer, the driver’s door had already swung open. Jack alighted from the car with a concerned expression on his face. “Mr. Damaris?”
At the sight of him, a myriad of emotions brewed within Roxanne. Prior to Colby’s detention, she had little trust in Jack. Therefore, she hadn’t contacted him recently.
Seeing him right then, she felt both apologetic and surprised. Beside her, Lucian expressionlessly inclined his head at Jack in greeting. On the contrary, Jack grinned at the man amicably.
“Thank you for intervening in this matter and clearing up my name, Mr. Farwell!” When Lucian heard that, his expression darkened a shade.
Meanwhile, puzzlement inundated Roxanne. “You already know about it?” How did he catch wind of it so fast? It’s only been half a day since Colby was taken into custody.
In response, Jack chortled. “Don’t forget that your research institute is pretty well-known in Horington. Furthermore, it has a collaboration with Damaris Group. After the arrest in the morning, news of it circulated in the afternoon.”
After saying that, he pinned a meaningful look on Lucian before adding, “Of course, someone in particular also played a pivotal role in that.”
Following his gaze, Roxanne looked at the man beside her. Surprise showed in her eyes. He has been with me all this time, yet I have no inkling when he spread the news!
“Anyway, I’m really curious about one thing. How did you manage to catch him, Mr.. Farwell?” Jack asked sincerely. Ever since the day Roxanne was poisoned, he had harbored suspicions against Colby.
Alas, there was no substantial evidence. He wanted to seek Roxanne out for help, but Lucian stood in his way. Lucian suspected him to a great extent, so there was no way the former would lend him a hand.
As such, he could only investigate by himself. Regretfully, he didn’t find any evidence even after delving into the incident for days. In the face of Jack’s question, Lucian acted as though he didn’t hear it, saying nary a word.
At the side, Roxanne sensed that the atmosphere between them was somewhat tense, so she interjected with the narration of events that morning.
Jack quirked a brow after hearing about Lucian’s tactic. “I didn’t expect you to be so ingenious, Mr. Farwell. On top of that, it sounds as though it didn’t require much effort. I’m truly impressed!”
Despite the compliment, there wasn’t a hint of admiration in Jack’s eyes. Discerning the implication behind his remark, Roxanne threw Lucian a look in exasperation.
Upon noticing that he had no intention of speaking, she had no choice but to apologize on his behalf. “Sorry for misunderstanding you previously. Please don’t take any offense, Mr. Damaris.”
Jack cast Lucian an unfathomable glance before turning his gaze back to her. “It’s only natural that you suspected me. After all, Dr. Galloway and I were the only ones around you back then. But I never expected you to stop contacting me for such a long time, Ms. Jarvis. I was exceedingly worried about your condition.”
Following Jack’s words, even greater guilt swamped Roxanne. “I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy investigating the incident that day that I forgot to contact you.” Biting the bullet, she apologized to the man.
Fortunately, Jack didn’t continue pursuing the matter. He merely looked her up and down with a smile, seemingly to ascertain that she had recovered. “I’ve recovered fully now. Sorry for worrying you these past few days, Mr. Damaris,” Roxanne murmured.
“I’m glad to hear that. I went to the hospital to visit you the night you passed out, but Mr. Farwell said I’d disrupt your rest and didn’t allow me in,” Jack commented in what appeared to be an offhanded manner.
Hearing that, Roxanne turned to the man beside her. Lucian met her gaze calmly. “I told you about it. It was indeed late at that time. Mr. Damaris must have had the same concerns as me, for he didn’t insist on going in.”
That was to say, he had already told Roxanne about the matter. Jack’s expression changed drastically. Considering his personality, I thought he wouldn’t tell her that I’d been over to visit her.
Unexpectedly, he’d informed her about it. Moreover… her reaction isn’t what I’d anticipated. He studied Roxanne’s expression, but there was nothing else other than contrition toward him..
There wasn’t a hint of censure toward Lucian. At that, he retracted his gaze in slight chagrin, only to collide with Lucian’s scrutinizing look. As their eyes held, the tension between them grew by leaps and bounds.
Perceptively sensing something off with the atmosphere between them, Roxanne furtively tugged at the hem of Lucian’s shirt, signaling for him to put his hostility away.
When all was said and done, Jack didn’t do anything wrong. They were the ones who misunderstood him in the first place..
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.