Chapter 96
The red sports car pulled over to the curb. This area was more secluded, enveloped in silence except for the whisper of wind through the treetops.
Adeline sat in the passenger seat.
"What do you want to say?"
Vivian gripped the steering wheel. "Your testimony sent Edward to prison for three years, wasting the prime of his life. After his release, that criminal record prevented him from returning to the career he loved. Edward's life was forced onto a completely different path."
Adeline's throat tightened. She remained silent.
"And all of this happened because of you." With no one else around, Vivian finally stopped hiding her contempt and disgust for Adeline.
"Don't you feel even a shred of guilt? Haven't you ever thought about doing something worthwhile with your life to make it up to Edward?"
Adeline's hands clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms, breaking the skin and causing sharp pain.
"What do you want me to do?"
Seeing how receptive Adeline was, Vivian smiled. "You probably know my father is the city's top judge. The case can be reopened. My father said if the original witness—that's you—is willing to recant your testimony, he can guarantee a different outcome when the case is retried."
She paused, deliberately concealing one crucial fact.
Giving false testimony wasn't a severe enough offense to result in prison time or the death penalty, but her father, Wesley, could manipulate the outcome with his influence.
"Though you might have to serve some jail time. Consider it your punishment. I believe that since you falsely accused Edward and caused him to go to prison, you should experience the suffering he went through."
"What do you think?"
Vivian left the decision in Adeline's hands.
But Adeline knew there was only one possible answer.
"I agree."
Adeline stood on the sidewalk, watching Vivian's fiery red sports car speed away. She opened her palm to reveal nail marks crisscrossing her skin.
Tiny indentations, seeping blood.
She'd nearly torn her palm to shreds.
Lowering her hand, she turned and walked toward home.
Halfway there, she suddenly remembered the house would be sold tomorrow. She wouldn't be able to return. Perhaps she needed to find a better place.
Prison didn't seem so bad.
"Edward, I have fantastic news!"
Vivian excitedly approached Edward, who sat on the sofa working on his laptop. He showed zero interest in her "fantastic news."
"If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, leave."
Vivian was well accustomed to his demeanor and didn't mind at all. "Trust me, once you hear this news, you'll definitely be happy!"
"Go on."
"I've convinced my father to help reopen your case from back then. This time, we can clear your name!"
Vivian waited expectantly for Edward's reaction, but he remained remarkably calm.
No excitement. No happiness.
This made no sense!
"Aren't you happy? That wrongful conviction six years ago is what cost you your qualification to be a pilot."
Anyone who knew Edward understood that his dream was to fly planes—to be a captain soaring through the skies, not sitting in an office handling paperwork.
Not schmoozing with people over business dinners. In fact, he despised the scheming and power plays of the business world.
When he first got out of prison, Edward had strongly resisted taking over Rupert's company.
It was only after being rejected by his beloved profession that he chose to step into the corporate role.
"If I wanted to clear my name, would I have waited until today?" Edward asked.
With his resources, he could have done it two years ago.
There was no need to wait until now.
Vivian didn't understand. "So why haven't you tried to clear your name?"
A disturbing thought crossed her mind, making her angry.
"It's not because of Adeline, is it?"
"You're overthinking. I have my reasons for not pursuing it."
"Well, just wait and see. I'm going to clear your name so you can pursue your dream of flying again."
Vivian wasn't about to give up on something she'd worked so hard to arrange.
With that, she turned and left.
Anson had been silently listening the whole time. Now he finally spoke up, "What exactly is Ms. Clark planning to do?"
"Let her do whatever she wants."
Edward hadn't taken it seriously at all. He didn't believe Vivian could pull anything off.
Her father, Wesley, wouldn't indulge her whims.
To reopen the case, they would need evidence that could overturn the original verdict—compelling physical evidence.
Or, a witness changing their testimony.
But both scenarios seemed impossible.
He didn't believe Adeline would recant. She had always prioritized family.
First Jeremy, now Lily.
Lily came running down from upstairs, clutching a box of puzzle pieces. "Daddy, play with me!"
Edward immediately set aside his work. Spending time with Lily was his top priority.
Father and daughter spent the afternoon putting puzzles together. As evening approached and they were about to have dinner, the doorbell rang.
The housekeeper went to answer it.
Adeline walked in with an enormous backpack that nearly swallowed her small frame.
When Edward took it from her, even his wrist dipped under the weight. "Did you pack rocks in here?"
Adeline shook her head and turned to Lily. The mother-daughter connection needed no words—one crouched with open arms, the other flew into her mother's embrace like a baby bird.
"Mom!"
"Baby, I've missed you so much."
Adeline gently squeezed Lily's soft cheeks and kissed the tip of her nose.
Lily planted a kiss on her mother's face in return.
As mother and daughter exchanged kisses, leaving each other's faces damp, Lily peeked at the huge backpack.
"Mom, what's in there? Did you bring me presents?"
Adeline unzipped the backpack to reveal Lily's old toys.
They weren't fancy or brand-name items—just ordinary dolls and the kind of crafts little girls love.
All things mother and daughter had made together.
Seeing these treasures, Lily couldn't contain her excitement.
"Mom, I love these things so much! I think about them every night before I fall asleep!"
When she'd lived with her mother, her bedroom wasn't as large as her current one, but Adeline had kept it clean and cozy, with dolls covering her bed.
Every time she rolled over, she could hug a different doll.
Since coming here, all her old dolls had disappeared.
It had taken Lily a long time to adjust.
"I'm glad you like them, sweetheart. These dolls can keep you company at night from now on."
But there were so many items in the bag that once removed, they'd be difficult to pack away again.
Especially since the dolls fluffed up once freed from compression.
Edward looked puzzled. "How did you manage to fit so many things into one bag?"
Adeline hugged Lily close. "Never underestimate a woman's packing skills."