Chapter 313
There was no way I was putting those things together. What would that make me? A gold–digger?
Soren nodded solemnly. “Of course, of course. That’s very you, Taylor. Sorry for questioning it.”
“Well, you could give me a discount on the interest,” I said mischievously.
“Definitely! And there’s no deadline for when you have to pay it off!”
“Thank you, Lord Soren.”
I thought he might be displeased that I rejected his offer to clear the debt, but I should have known better. Generous, understanding, and always accommodating–this was exactly who he was.
+26 BONUS
Edith’s case went to trial today.
I almost didn’t recognize her. She had grown haggard and thin since being held in the detention center.
No wonder Sally had begged me in public to help–and her brother had wanted me to settle out of court no matter the t
terms.
They must have regretted so many of their life choices now.
Soren insisted on coming with me and wouldn’t take no for an answer. I told him not to make a public appearance, though.
So instead, he spoke with the judge, the clerk, and others at the courthouse. Then, he waited in the lounge for the trial to end. My lawyer, Matt Cohen, and Cherry accompanied me inside.
The case itself wasn’t difficult to judge. What made it complicated was the Kennedys‘ influence as one of Metropolis‘ elite families. If not for Soren’s highly publicized drone performance, they might have actually let
Edith win.
Now? Even though Soren had no intention of intervening, his presence alone carried weight.
→ Everyone knew about our relationship. The mere fact that he was waiting outside put enough pressure on the
judge.
As the arguments progressed, it became clear that I had the upper hand. That was when Sally leaped from the audience and fell to her knees, sobbing.
“Please, don’t sentence my daughter to prison! She knows she was wrong! Please, this is killing me!”
The judge tried to restore order, but Sally was inconsolable. She had completely abandoned her dignity at this point.
In the end, the judge adjourned the session for the day.
I watched Edith’s frail figure being escorted from the courtroom and felt a flicker of compassion. I rose to my feet. “Edith, wait. If you apologize to me right now, I’ll agree to a settlement out of court. I mean it.”
She was pregnant with the child of her rapist. No punishment the law could impose would be more painful than that.
And when I really thought about it, why keep pursuing this if I didn’t have to? My career was skyrocketing, I had
+25 BOHUS
Chapter 213
found the love of my life. Everything was going right for m
There was no reason to make her life even more hellish than it already was. And hey, being a good person was what God would have wanted.
The courtroom fell silent.
Sally tried to rush forward again, but the police held her back.
“Listen to her, Edith! Apologize! Don’t be stubborn!” she stricked.
Edith shot me a look sharp as daggers. She gritted her teeth “You’re still trying to humiliate me!”
I chuckled dryly. “You tried to drug me, Edith. I’m just asking you to own up to that. That’s not humiliation”
“Taylor, please!” Sally cried. “I’ll apologize for her! I’m sorry Edith did that to you! I’m sorry we treated you badly! Please forgive us–please forgive her! If that’s not enough, I…”
Chapter 314
