Chapter 9
879words
Claire felt uneasy when she heard the righteous voice coming from the other end.
“Yes, that's me. Who is this speaking?”
“We are with the State Bureau of Investigation. You are currently suspected of multiple crimes, including financial fraud, intentional injury, and embezzlement of company property. We have now closed off the building where you are located. Please turn yourself in.”
Claire felt surprisingly relieved upon hearing all this.
The police weren’t going to arrest her right away, and she knew why better than anyone else.
"Okay, I'll be right there."
Hearing this, Claire seemed to have found a purpose in life, and quickly got up from the ground.
"Um... ma'am, I'm sorry, but the police are coming to arrest me now. I might have to go with them."
Seeing Claire getting nervous, my mother knew exactly what she had in mind.
“Don’t be so anxious. Just because things aren’t great out here doesn’t mean they’ll be any better behind bars.”
Claire stiffened, forcing a smile.
"Thank you. I understand."
My mom turned to Evan next.
“Brat, I'm not going to say anything more to you. You're utterly worthless. You only knew how to use women to climb the social ladder. You'll never amount to anything.
“But don't worry, if you could charm my daughter-in-law, you must be quite good at entertaining others.
"I've found you a good place."
Just then, the phone rang. Having learned from Claire’s experience, Evan answered the phone steadily.
"Excuse me..." Before the police officer could finish speaking, Evan hurriedly said,
"I'm coming, I'm coming right away."
Evan replied promptly while Mom watched quietly from the side.
He frantically ran out upon receiving the notification.
Once Evan reached the ground floor, two policemen came over and handcuffed him.
“Officers, when will the trial begin? I can afford to hire a lawyer.”
“Lawyer? What do you mean by lawyer?” The police looked at him oddly. This man had embezzled other people's assets and profited at others’ expense. With all the evidence, there was no room for denial. What’s more, a public prosecution had already been filed and approved by the court.
“What? No lawyer? You're going to put me in jail right away without going through the legal proceedings? This is illegal!” Evan defended.
A court member, standing on the side, looked at Evan and laughed. “Oh? You understand the law well. We knew this would happen. We specially arranged a mobile court this time. Let’s begin the trial.
“Hello, I'm a legal-aid lawyer. I suggest you do not refuse me because no lawyers dare to take up your case. Only legal aid can step in to help you.
Evan had not wrapped his head around what just happened so he nodded.
The trial began, the proceedings unfolded, evidence was presented...the entire process took less than ten minutes, and Evan was found guilty of the charges.
“Enough, hurry up and move. You will meet your new cellmate tonight.”
Evan frantically responded, “What…what do you mean?!"
He screamed at night, looking at the menacing men around him.
“Help! Save me!” But no one cared.
“My dear son. Are you satisfied with how I deal with these people?” Mom asked.
Looking at my worried mother by the bedside, I smiled softly. “Thank you, Mom.”
“Silly kid…” Mom gently patted my shoulder, looking as if she had something else to say.
“Mom, just say it.”
“My son, do you still plan to find someone else?”
I lost my voice, seeing her worried.
It seemed like she was worried I would give up on finding love.
I patted her hand and said softly, “Mom, please don’t worry. I won’t lose hope because of them.”
“That’s good to know. I’m just afraid you’d lose faith in love. If you were to become a Christian monk like my best friend’s kid, I don’t know what I’d do.”
“Uh…” I recalled Aunt Sally’s son. On his wedding day, his wife had slept with another man who had been drugged with an aphrodisiac. That man was her lover. To save him, she had given him her virginity.
No one could stop her. Even though they didn’t get married in the end, Aunt Sally’s son no longer believed in love anymore.
Aunt Sally was so angry that up till this day, that family was still picking up trash on the street.
“My feelings for Claire aren't that deep. So don’t worry, Mom.” I comforted my mom.
Mom thought I was still heartbroken, looking at how lethargic I was. After thinking for some time, she said, “I’ll have all the monasteries in the city relocated tomorrow. I don't care how much it costs.”
“Mom…” Here we go again. My mom finally gave up on the idea after much protest.
Those century-old monasteries were finally rid of one troublesome matter.
After seeing my mom off, I lay in bed quietly contemplating my future.
I temporarily didn’t want to do investment banking. It was about time I gave myself a break after many years of working.
Looking at the vibrant grasslands on my phone, I had an idea.
“I want to do a photoshoot on the grasslands.”
“Now?”
“Yes, right away.”
“But you still haven't recovered from your injuries.”
“I’m ready in spirit.”
