Chapter 85
Two days later, based on the confession from the man who assaulted Ella and Scarlett's statement, the police reached their conclusion.
Ella had indeed committed intentional murder.
As for the man who broke into her room, he was just drunk and entered by mistake—it had nothing to do with Scarlett.
Joshua had also asked Ella directly, and at the time, she told him she wanted Scarlett dead.
So Joshua had no objection to the police's conclusion.
He went to the police station again.
In the luxury private room, he found Ella looking as if she was there to enjoy herself.
He hadn't expected Zachary to be so capable—bribing even the police and having them take such good care of Ella.
If anyone said this woman had nothing to do with Zachary, he wouldn't believe it.
Ella saw that Joshua had come again.
Knowing he wouldn't bring any good news and wouldn't treat her kindly, she simply pretended not to see him and sat there quietly reading her book.
Joshua walked up to her. "Do you know that with your confession, the police have determined you committed intentional murder and you'll be sentenced to prison?"
"Or do you think that with Zachary backing you up, he'll save you no matter what?"
The day Ella hurt Scarlett, she was still trembling all over, terrified.
But after Zachary came to see her, she wasn't afraid of anything anymore. When she saw him, it was as if she didn't see him at all.
So who did she really like—Michael or Zachary?
Thinking about how Ella couldn't possibly love him anymore, no matter who she liked, Joshua felt a desolate sadness in his heart, suffocating with pain.
Ella looked at him fearlessly, turning her head and answering a different question, "Is Scarlett dead?"
Joshua's expression changed instantly. "If she were dead, you wouldn't survive either."
Ella remained stubborn.
He had been hoping she would deny it, so he could go ask Scarlett to drop the charges—maybe then he could get her released.
But instead, Ella was set on Scarlett's death.
She was beyond help.
Ella stared at Joshua, her eyes wide with fury, utterly vicious.
"Even if I die, I have to avenge Grandpa. She's the one who killed your grandfather, Joshua. If you stay with her, Grandpa's spirit won't rest in peace."
"If she doesn't die, I'll kill her with my own hands when I get out."
Even if it cost her life, Ella would make Scarlett pay.
That heartless woman deserved to go to hell.
Joshua was furious and stepped forward to grab her shoulders, "Ella, I'm telling you one more time—Grandpa was angered to death by you. No matter how much you hate Scarlett, why have you become so vicious?"
"I think you just want to use this as an excuse to stay here and carry on with Zachary!"
That must be it.
Otherwise Joshua couldn't figure out how Ella, who used to be so cautious about everything, suddenly became so ruthless.
She didn't even care that she still had two children to take care of.
Ella sat frozen.
Watching Joshua still defending Scarlett, never believing what she said.
She felt utterly disheartened.
And angry on Aiden's behalf, she raised her hand and slapped Joshua hard across his handsome face.
The slap stunned Joshua. He released her, suppressing his anger, "You hit me again? Ella, do you really think I won't hit you back?"
Joshua raised his palm, really wanting to strike back.
But looking at Ella's pale, delicate face, he just couldn't bring himself to do it.
In the end, he could only forcibly swallow his anger and lower his hand.
"Don't hit me again. Do you hear me?"
That was all Joshua could do—yell at her.
But Ella didn't listen. She stood up and slapped him again with her other hand.
"This slap is for Grandpa—hitting you, this unfilial grandson, for being with the murderer who killed him."
"Joshua, if you have any sense of filial duty, stay away from Scarlett, or when I get out, I'll tear her to pieces."
"You..."
Joshua touched his struck face, looking at Ella who had become so aggressive.
He didn't know what to do with her.
He was afraid that if he was too harsh on her, she wouldn't return to Emerald City with him.
Joshua suppressed the anger in his chest, turning his back to her and taking deep breaths.
He started brainwashing himself again—she's young, immature, and being reckless and willful is understandable.
Don't argue with her.
So many people liked her. Without him, anyone could take her away and give her a better life.
After convincing himself, Joshua turned to face Ella again.
"Stay put. If you don't try to get out, who's going to take care of those two kids of yours?"
Not knowing what else to do with her, Joshua could only leave.
Thinking of her two children, Ella felt a pang of pain in her heart and sat back down in the chair in despair.
Zachary had told her not to worry—he'd already sent people to Emerald City.
If they found which hospital Aurora was in, they'd find a way to bring her back.
She hoped Zachary really could bring her two children back.
That way she wouldn't have to return to Emerald City.
As for the divorce, even if Joshua wouldn't agree, after a long separation, what meaning would that marriage certificate have anyway?
At the hospital.
Joshua came and sat by Scarlett's bed, his expression grave.
"Tell the police you want to handle this privately and let Ella go."
After all, she was his wife.
He couldn't not take her back home.
To help Ella escape prison, no matter the cost, Joshua had to do it.
"Joshua, you're going too far. Scarlett was hurt so badly by her, and you're asking Scarlett to let her go?"
Before Scarlett could speak, Mason spoke up angrily.
Scarlett was also somewhat surprised that Joshua would come to order her around for Ella's sake.
She lowered her head and began crying.
"Joshua, this is so unfair to me. Don't you know I almost died at her hands?"
Joshua hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Haven't you always wanted to marry me? If you don't hold Ella responsible and let her go this time, I'll divorce her and marry you when we get back."
Perhaps that would be fair to Scarlett.
As for Ella.
She didn't love him anymore.
Keeping her by his side would only make her hate him more.
As long as she could be safe and sound, what did divorce matter?
Scarlett was stunned. Before she could agree, Mason said angrily, "Joshua, what do you take Scarlett for? Is your wife's position some precious treasure that..."
"Okay."
Scarlett interrupted Mason and looked up at Joshua, agreeing without hesitation, "I'll listen to you and let Ella go, but you can't lie to me again. When we get back, you have to divorce her immediately and marry me."
All she ever wanted was Joshua.
Even if she let Ella go this time, she'd still have chances to get rid of Ella later.
As long as she became Joshua's wife, she wouldn't have to worry about anything.
"Scarlett, you've really disappointed me."
Hearing his beloved Scarlett agree to Joshua's terms, Mason felt a sharp pain in his heart and stormed out angrily.