Chapter 84
Marcus cleared his throat, and Fredric immediately fell silent, focusing on the road ahead. Cordelia’s voice broke the stillness as she called out softly, “Honey, I didn’t tell them anything other than denying the claim. They got upset and told me that I should think about you and confess to the crime.”
Marcus’s brows furrowed in concern. “What did you say?”
“I just kept silent…” Cordelia replied, her face pale, but her eyes filled with a quiet determination.
Marcus’s heart skipped a beat. He gently stroked her hair, vowing silently that he would protect her at all costs. If it had been any other woman, they might have confessed under pressure, fearful of the consequences. But Cordelia, despite her fragile appearance, had the heart of a fighter. She would never admit to something she hadn’t done, even if threatened.
A smile tugged at the corner of Marcus’s lips as he realized just how alike they were. The saying “birds of a feather flock together” felt true in that moment.
“Well, you did a good job,” Fredric said, offering praise. “Keep quiet and let the lawyers handle it. It’ll save you a lot of trouble.”
Cordelia leaned her head on Marcus’s shoulder, the bumpiness of the road rocking the car from side to side. After the tense hours of interrogation, she finally felt safe in his presence. Her body relaxed, and she drifted off to sleep almost immediately.
Marcus gently patted Fredric’s shoulder, signaling him to slow down. After ensuring that Cordelia was settled comfortably, he held her securely in his arms, refusing to let go.
Even when they arrived at home, Cordelia didn’t stir. Marcus carefully carried her inside and placed her on the bed. He took his time removing her clothes, tucking her in gently. After confirming everything in the room was in order, he quietly stepped out.
Fredric let out a long sigh, collapsing onto the couch in the living room.
“Boss,” Fredric said, half-amused, half-exasperated, “It’s been a while since I’ve been to your place. But since your wife’s sleeping, I guess we can’t talk too loudly.”
Marcus’s face darkened. He sat down on the couch, fixing Fredric with a serious gaze. “How are we going to solve this?”
Fredric leaned back, trying to remain calm. “The best solution is for Cordelia to pay for her company’s losses to minimize the damage.”
Marcus’s cold glare made Fredric flinch. “This is your solution? And you call yourself a lawyer?”
Fredric raised his hands in defense. “Z, it won’t help Cordelia to go up against her company. Bowfest may not be a giant, but they have power in Jangasas. If the story spreads, no company will want to hire her. Even if she wins the lawsuit, she’ll lose valuable time and energy, and her future employment prospects will be tainted.”
Fredric paused, giving Marcus a moment to process his words. “You need to think about the bigger picture. After all this, she won’t trust people so easily anymore.”
Marcus snorted in frustration. “She wouldn’t have gotten into this mess if people hadn’t framed her.”
Fredric sighed. “So what do you want to do?”
Marcus lit a cigarette, taking a slow drag. The memory of his time in the Hamertons came rushing back—the lengths he’d gone to protect himself from Matthew, only to be nearly killed by him. He would not let Cordelia face the same fate.
“In any case, I won’t let Cordelia be anyone’s scapegoat,” Marcus said, his voice resolute. “Not only will I clear her name, but I want everyone who set her up to be banned from Jangasas for the rest of their lives.”