Chapter 349

Chapter 349

"How can someone be so disrespectful?" I clenched my fist indignantly. "He tramples on people's genuine feelings without any fear of karma!"

I couldn't contain my anger toward Bobby. A man who enjoyed such twisted pleasure would only repeat his behavior, likely breaking countless young women's hearts, perhaps even ruining their lives.

They thought they'd found real love when they were young and hopeful, but in the end, all they got was heartbreak and deception.

"Isn't Jason supposed to be brilliant with criminal cases and have exceptional intuition? How did he miss Bobby's malicious intentions?" I found myself defending those girls, perhaps displacing some of my anger.

When I realized Christopher was right beside me, I worried he might think I was being unreasonable. But instead of walking away, he patiently explained the situation.

"What Bobby does may be despicable, but it doesn't constitute a crime. Even if Jason wanted to put him behind bars, it would be nearly impossible," Christopher said thoughtfully.

He studied my expression, and seeing I understood, continued, "Wealthy men like Bobby might act recklessly, but their upbringing teaches them exactly where the line is. He enjoys manipulating people—the thrill of making girls fall desperately in love with him before callously discarding them. He deliberately targets those without power or connections. Orphans like Marlowe are his perfect prey."

"Even if his victims can't bear the consequences and want justice, without money or support, the most they can usually manage is spreading a few ambiguous rumors."

I considered this from another angle. "Have any girls been pushed to extremes after being deceived by him? Done something irreversible?"

"Certainly, and quite recently," Christopher replied, clearly well-informed about Bobby's activities. "Not long ago, a fragile young woman was devastated after Bobby dumped her. When her desperate attempts to reconcile failed, she attempted suicide. It caused quite a stir, but the Owens family quickly smoothed everything over."

"Bobby's actions didn't directly harm her, so they don't even qualify as criminal—just morally bankrupt. Whenever his reputation is threatened, they immediately throw money at the problem until it disappears."

Money was such a powerful tool; it made things happen that once seemed out of reach. No wonder some people would go to any lengths for it.

"Is a man like him—always chasing thrills—really only interested in winning the hearts of beautiful women?" I wondered aloud. 

It seemed unlikely that someone with such tendencies would be so restrained.

"Pursuing different women with varying degrees of difficulty satisfies his appetite," Christopher answered with a frown. "And with Lyric around, he's unlikely to do anything too outrageous."

I frowned, unsatisfied with the answer. Maybe it was empathy for the other girls that made me feel so troubled.

"Normally, upper-class families prefer sons to daughters when it comes to inheritance. Why isn't Bobby the Owens heir?"

"The Owens business needs modernizing. Bobby's father is getting old, set in his ways. When Lyric joined the company, she fixed problems and impressed her father. He saw her potential and basically handed her control."

Lyric must be formidable. I could imagine Jason's frustration—watching her climb higher, beyond his reach, making all his efforts seem futile.

"Lyric's clever," Christopher added. "She's meticulous. Even Jason, careful as he is, couldn't find a weakness or plant someone inside."

I felt a pang of sympathy for Jason, though I kept it to myself. Something told me Christopher wouldn't appreciate that sentiment.

"If we found proof that Marlowe stayed because of Bobby, not Jason... could that mean her fate had nothing to do with Jason? Would that free him from his guilt?"

Christopher gave me a long look, as if thinking I was being naive.

"It might free him from one burden, only to create another. Imagine discovering that something you've believed for years was meaningless. How would you feel?"

I considered this. "My whole worldview would collapse."

Christopher nodded. "But rebuilding is better than being trapped in guilt forever."

I agreed. Despite everything with Marlowe, Jason hadn't hurt me personally. I couldn't hold it against him.

Lost in conversation, I suddenly realized how late it was.

"I'm sorry—" I began.

Christopher raised his hand, stopping my apology.

I was about to suggest leaving when Christopher suddenly moved closer.

The faint sandalwood scent of his cologne was comforting, familiar. As he leaned in, my heart raced. I could feel his breath, and I panicked.

"Mr. Collins, you—"

But he reached past me, bending down to pick up a colorful pendant from the floor.

It was a little cat charm—something Chloe had made for me herself. She'd studied with a master craftsman just to learn the technique. The detail was exquisite.

The pendant always brought back memories. It meant everything to me.

"Thank you, Mr. Collins. My mother made that for me," I said, reaching for it.

To my surprise, Christopher turned slightly away, keeping it from me.

"Mrs. Turner had remarkable skill," he said, examining it. "I'd like to study this further."