Chapter 77: Are You Serious?
Clint saw her cold expression. “Do you hate me for this?”
Selene shook her head. “I just believe that birds of a feather flock together.”
Clint felt helpless. “I’ve known both Dan and Jennifer for a very long time, but I’ve actually spent very little time with them over the years. So we are into different things, and we’re also very different from each other.”
“Really?” Selene sneered.
The conclusion of the case angered Selene to no end. She knew that she shouldn’t vent her anger on Clint, but his seemingly misplaced trust in Jennifer and Dan made her believe that Clint was as evil as them.
Clint noticed her apparent anger and squinted his eyes. “Trust me, I’m not like them. I’ve worked for everything I have, and I don’t depend on my parents. And even though Dan and Jennifer get help from their families, they also work hard to achieve their goals.”
The last sentence made Selene’s left eye twitch.
”Hate them all you want,” Clint continued. ”But please don’t accuse them baselessly of attempted murder.”
“If I had evidence, would you beg me not to get them in trouble?” Selene laughed slightly.
“Of course not. If they go against the law, they should be punished. But, if they really tried to kill you, they’d be no different than the murderers in jail.”
“You sound righteous, but you don’t actually believe that.”
“Yes, I don’t believe that at all.”
Selene didn’t want to continue the conversation, so she walked forward into the street to wave down a taxi.
Clint went after her. “Let me take you home.”
“No. As we’ve established before, we shouldn’t meet until I’ve decided for us.”
“All right. I’ll wait.” Clint stood there and didn’t make any attempts to stop her or say anything else.
When Selene got into a taxi, she called Austin. “One of the robbers admitted to starting the fire.”
“What?!” Austin was shocked. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“But they’ve both been denying it for a long time.”
“Yes, but the police showed me security footage of the robber entering my store at around the time the fire started.”
“So, is the video valid evidence?”
“The police say it is. And they want to close the case.”
“Do you still think it was Jennifer?”
Selene kept silent for a while. “Maybe. I don’t know why he would suddenly admit to it. But, of course, since he knew I was in the warehouse, he would be charged with murder. But if it turned out that Jennifer sent someone to start the fire, the robber might be charged with manslaughter or something less severe.”
“So, the robber wouldn’t admit to starting the fire if he really didn’t?”All rights © NôvelDrama.Org.
“What do you think? Was it the robber who did it?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but I trust your instinct,” Austin said after thinking for a while.
Selene’s bad mood was soothed by Austin. Austin trusted her, but Clint chose to place his trust in Jennifer.
“I trust you unconditionally!” Austin added.
“I feel honored.” Selene laughed.
“Now, what should we do? If we make a request, will the police continue the investigation?”
“Probably not unless new evidence is found.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll find some proof sooner or later. First, let’s look into the background of the robber. If he was paid off by Jennifer, maybe we could find something that connects them.”
After three days of hard investigative work, they finally found information about the robber’s family. His wife had divorced him two years ago. After that, he lived by himself, often getting involved in petty crime.
Maybe Jennifer had not paid him off.
Hitting a deadlock, Selene planned to put it down for a while. Instead, she started to wonder if she had wronged Jennifer by accusing her of the fire.
Selene wondered if she should just drop her theory that Jennifer was involved with the situation at all.
Now, Selene was busier and busier with her design work. She had started to work with JU Brand, and the first fashion show would be held soon.
Selene no longer had spare time to deal with such things now.
Four designers took part in the fashion show; two of them were veterans in the field, and Selene was one of the newcomers. She felt nervous about the whole thing.
After the models showed off the designs, the designers came on to be acknowledged. Selene followed the other three designers onto the stage.
She felt that her life was wonderful. Several days ago, she was just a simple owner of a small clothing store, and now she was stepping on such a splendid stage.
She looked at the spectators, who all applauded happily, especially Austin. She smiled at him and saw Clint Denovan there, too.
Clint was sitting in the corner, most of him obscured by darkness. But Selene could tell it was him by his unique face and the way he was sitting.
Clint was clapping and looked very calm. He smiled slightly, and Selene could feel his happiness.
****
After the post-show celebrations, it was nearly midnight. Selene exited the hotel and said goodbye to her colleagues. She then met up with Austin, who was waiting for her. The two walked to the parking lot shoulder to shoulder.
“You looked amazing on the stage!”
Selene was in a good mood. “Really?” She asked, tilting her head.
“Of course! You look even more beautiful than the models.”
“Yeah, right! Those were top models!”
“In my mind, you are the most beautiful one.”
Austin was so devoted to her, even after so many years had passed. Selene suddenly thought it might be a good choice to live the rest of her life with Austin.
The light was dim in the underground parking lot, and they could barely see anything in the distance.
“Selene Morris.” A voice interrupted their conversation.
Austin and Selene turned around to see Jennifer Keller stepping out from a parked car. Due to the dimness of the light, Selene could not figure out her facial expression. But, when Jennifer walked closer, Selene saw a face of pure hatred.