Chapter 3

Shaun was stunned. "What exactly do you want?"

"Like I said, compensation," I said, taking out the receipts I'd prepared in advance. "I bought this vase last month from an art exhibition. Here's the official receipt. Also, I am seeking reparation for the damage to my reputation caused by your assault and defamation. That will amount to 350,000 dollars."

"What? 350,000 dollars?"

Before Shaun could say anything, Elizabeth jumped up. "Are you out of your mind? That piece of junk is worth 350,000? It's not even worth 35 dollars!"

I smiled. "This is a piece of art; I wouldn't expect you to understand. Besides, I didn't forge the receipt. I even have a certificate of authenticity here. I'm not extorting you.

"Also, you spread rumors that I was fooling around with other men, damaging my reputation. That's also proven. I have the surveillance footage and the witnesses to back me up. I think my lawyer's here. If you've got an issue, talk to him."

"You stabbed me with a knife!" Elizabeth insisted.

I looked at Rory, who said gravely, "If we consider the circumstances, it was self-defense. They will be remanded."

Shaun and Elizabeth immediately panicked at that. I looked around at the rest of their accomplices. "They are just as responsible."

The accomplices were Shaun's relatives. When they heard that, they panicked as well. "No! I've got nothing to do with him. He's the one who brought us here!"

"We were just there to see what was going on! We didn't do anything!"

"Yeah, we don't have any problem with you."

They quickly backed away, trying to distance themselves from Shaun. I scoffed and looked at him. "Why don't you call Cindy and see what she has to say? After all, it would be detrimental to your child's future if their father ends up with a criminal record."

Shaun gritted his teeth. "You're doing this on purpose!"

"How can you say that? I'm the one getting defamed. How am I supposed to hold my head up in public after all you've said about me? I'm just asking you to call your wife. This is perfectly reasonable," I said.

My lawyer, Carmen Caldwell, filled everyone in on the legal implications. With the police on my side, Shaun could only clench his fists and say darkly, "I don't have that much money right now."

"You don't, but your wife does."

"That's nonsense! You owe my wife 300,000 dollars that you haven't paid back, and now you want me to compensate you 350,000? Why don't you return that money first!"

I was waiting for him to bring that up. Crossing my arms, I said, "You say that I borrowed money from your wife. Do you have any proof? Bank transfer records? Chat history? If not, that's just another false accusation!"

"Just you wait!"

Shaun pulled out his phone and called Cindy. Unfortunately for him, she did not answer.

I laughed as he tried repeatedly with no success. Of course she wouldn't pick up—Cindy was probably already in custody.

She had taken money from Shaun under the pretense of lending it to me, saying that I was materialistic and wanted to buy myself some luxury items. In reality, she was funneling it to her brother.

The only luxury bag I owned was a reward I bought for myself after four years of work.

Even that had been used against me.

I raised my eyebrow and glanced outside. It was almost time.

"I'm curious, Shaun," I said. "Why did your wife lie to you? Where did she go, and why did she lie to you and me? Could she be seeing someone else?"

Upon hearing that, Shaun's anger boiled over. "Stop trying to stir things up! She's pregnant. Where can she go?"

I scoffed but said nothing more. After a while, a scuffle sounded outside, with familiar voices weaved amongst the commotion.

Then, Cindy was brought inside the police station. When she saw me, she froze.

Shaun was equally dumbfounded. "Honey, what are you doing here?"