Chapter 164 Apologize to William
Isabella wasn't about to fall for Laura's trap.
Laura was making baseless accusations—why should Isabella have to prove her innocence?
"Isabella," Laura said, turning to her with a look of feigned concern mixed with anxiety, "this is just my speculation. If there's truly nothing between you two, just say so. No one will make things difficult for you."
Isabella leaned back in the police station chair, her posture relaxed. "The burden of proof lies with the accuser. Since you're claiming I'm having an affair with him, why don't you prove it?"
Seeing her carefully laid trap collapse, Laura's expression froze momentarily.
At that moment, William suddenly spoke.
His gaze was ice-cold as it fixed on Isabella, filled with profound distrust.
"First Richard, now him—exactly how many men are circling around you?"
With that single statement, he passed judgment on Isabella.
William believed Laura's words.
Joseph's hands clenched into tight fists at his sides as he glared furiously at William.
William and Laura had been the ones to cheat, yet somehow they were making it seem as if Isabella was the one who had destroyed the marriage.
What right did they have to confront Isabella like this? What right did they have to smear his name?
Hearing William so readily believe Laura's accusations, Isabella found it even more laughable.
Beyond calculation and exploitation, there truly was no affection left between this couple who'd been married for six years.
"So you're saying that after marriage, I shouldn't have any friends? That any man who appears near me must be having an affair with me?" Isabella's lips curved into a slight smile as she looked at Laura, but her eyes carried a chilling coldness that made one shiver.
Laura couldn't help but flinch, genuinely frightened by Isabella's demeanor.
William pulled Laura behind him protectively. "We're talking about us. Don't drag innocent people into this!"
"Was she innocent when you two abandoned me on that mountain?" Isabella's words were sharp as knives as she questioned William.
"And don't you dare take that righteous tone with me. You and her are cut from the same cloth."
With one sentence, she condemned them both, yet Isabella remained composed and elegant, not losing her composure in the slightest.
"Choosing to marry you was the biggest mistake I ever made." William, unable to contain his anger any longer, threw out a cruel remark.
Isabella couldn't care less what William said.
On this point, they had reached a rare consensus, because Isabella now deeply regretted it too.
Back then, she'd felt a moment of compassion. To protect the child in her womb, she'd chosen to marry William, leaving behind the laboratory where she was on the verge of a breakthrough, quitting the racing team, abandoning everything she had.
She'd spent six years contentedly as a housewife, and this was the reward she received.
Isabella's heart had long since gone numb.
Joseph, however, was furious after hearing William's words, his face flushing red with anger.
"You fool, you can't even see who gave the most in this marriage. You should get your brain checked." Joseph half-rose from his seat, pointing accusingly at William.
William wasn't backing down either, standing up as well.
Seeing both men's emotions running high and the situation about to spiral out of control, the officer sitting nearby shot them a stern look.
"Silence! Look where you are. Fighting in our station means additional charges!"
Laura quickly pulled William back down, while Isabella reached out to restrain Joseph.
She gently shook her head.
"Don't stoop to their level. They're unreasonable, but we still need to be the rational ones."
The police had already gotten a preliminary understanding of the situation and were just waiting for a colleague to return with the surveillance footage to determine responsibility.
Isabella's mind was still filled with worry, concerned that Joseph might actually be delayed because of this ridiculous incident.
"Isabella, even if you gave me another chance, I'd do it again without regret." Joseph glared angrily at William, lowering his voice to speak quietly to Isabella.
The officer shot another warning look in their direction.
"Calm down and stop causing trouble in the station. This is your last warning. You don't want to spend tonight in a holding cell, do you?"
After listening to them argue for half an hour, the officer had finally pieced together the relationships between everyone involved. He actually felt somewhat sympathetic toward Isabella, his words subtly trying to mediate.
"Quiet down, Joseph." Isabella glanced lightly at Joseph.
This race carried enormous weight for their team. Everyone was preparing with the utmost seriousness—they absolutely could not afford any problems with Joseph.
Hearing Isabella say this, Joseph's expression grew slightly more serious.
This Canvia Championship—if they could win the title, it wouldn't just bring glory to the team. For Joseph personally, it represented an absolutely irreplaceable opportunity.
It would mean they'd finally reached the pinnacle. It would mean they'd finally made up for eight years of lost honor.
Joseph clenched his jaw tightly, lowered his eyes, and finally fell silent.
After another ten minutes or so, the surveillance footage was finally retrieved. The officer who'd been taking their statements hurried out to consult with his colleague about the penalty determination.
Before long, they returned.
"The surveillance footage shows that Joseph threw the first punch in this altercation. In terms of liability assignment, he is the party at fault. As long as he's willing to apologize to the other party and obtain their forgiveness, and compensate for medical expenses, that will settle the matter. However, if he refuses to apologize, he may face detention."
Upon hearing the officer's explanation, Joseph slammed his hand heavily on the table, glaring furiously at William.
"I will never apologize to him. He can dream on!"
"My recommendation is also that you apologize first, since throwing the first punch was indeed wrong."
The officer mediated between both parties, patiently trying to persuade Joseph before turning to William.
"Yes, he was wrong to throw a punch, but you were also the one who wouldn't stop harassing Isabella. If both parties take a step back, today's matter can actually be resolved quite easily."
No one spoke. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
Isabella looked up at Joseph.
Detention—this was the worst outcome, the one they least wanted to see.