Chapter 242 I Admit Defeat
Before Leopold left, Dash finally couldn't hold it together anymore. He also realized that when Mario said he could save him, it was all just to buy time—Mario had just wanted to find a scapegoat.
Dash begged Leopold with tears to get him out, but some mistakes couldn't be undone just because you regretted them, and the police also handled cases based on evidence.
The two got in the car. Leopold asked Jack, "What are the chances of getting him out?"
Jack didn't jump to conclusions. "We need evidence. Without evidence, nobody can save him."
Leopold said, "The police already copied all the hotel videos, and they took statements from the staff who saw Mario dragging a suitcase to Dash's place that day. Doesn't that prove Dash didn't know?"
Jack said, "That's what happened outside the room. What they said after Mario went inside, nobody can confirm. Plus, Dash arranged the room himself and knew young girls were coming and going. The police will assume Dash was involved in kidnapping the girls and making the videos. Even if he wasn't in the room, they'll see him as an accomplice."
Leopold pressed his aching temples. "Alright, let's head back."
Lily saw the car pull up at the hotel entrance and hurried out. She met them and asked, "How did it go?"
Leopold said, "Let's go upstairs first."
The three went to Leopold's office. Lily set down two cups of coffee and listened as Jack said, "Dash wasn't involved in drug trafficking. He was tricked. As for providing the room..." He paused, looking at Leopold, who said, "It's fine, go ahead."
Jack told Lily everything Dash had said, word for word. After hearing it, Lily rubbed her forehead in frustration. "Can't he stop being so greedy!"
Leopold said, "Since Dash is innocent, we need to do everything we can to save him. If he takes the fall, the entire Celestial Waters Hotel's reputation will collapse."
"I understand. I'll do my best," Jack nodded seriously. "Now that Dash is willing to cooperate, our chances of saving him are better."
Leopold said, "Whatever you need us to do, whatever help you need, just ask."
Jack said, "The police took videos from the week of the incident. Does the hotel still have the earlier footage?"
Leopold replied firmly, "Yes. The hotel keeps video footage for a year. After the incident, I had the manager secure the video evidence. Nobody's allowed in the video storage room."
Jack's eyes lit up. "That's great. I need to copy all the videos of Mario contacting Dash as evidence."
Leopold said, "Lily, assign someone to help Mr. Thorne."
"Will do."
Leopold continued searching for other leads and witnesses. Besides Dash and himself, the person who knew the hotel best was the lobby manager, Lawrence.
He called Lawrence into his office again. Lawrence seemed nervous, trying hard to hide it.
Leopold observed him and gestured for Lawrence to sit. He knew Leopold had visited Dash today, and rather than being concerned about questions regarding Dash and Mario, Lawrence seemed more focused on what Dash had said.
This made Leopold suspicious.
But Leopold kept his composure, asked a few unrelated questions, and let him leave.
Leopold reopened his browser and searched for news about the Justice League. One item caught his attention.
Seaside City Power Company.
Caroline finished tidying her desk and was about to leave work. As soon as she got in her car, Nash called.
They still had business dealings, so phone contact was unavoidable.
Caroline answered, her tone formal and distant.
"Ms. Tudor, just getting off work?"
"Just left. What is it, Mr. Hearst?"
Nash said, "I saw the Seaside City news. You guys really stirred things up. You should be more careful from now on."
"Thanks for your concern, Mr. Hearst. I'm about to drive. Anything important?"
The subtext was, let's drop the idle chat.
Nash said, "I'm calling you because it is important."
Could you not be so slick? It's getting greasy enough to cook with.
Caroline asked coolly, "What is it?"
Nash said, "We're delivering the second batch tomorrow. What time works for you to receive it?"
Caroline said, "Tomorrow works anytime. I'll have Dax contact you later."
"Wait," Nash stopped her.
Caroline held the phone without moving, waiting for what came next.
Nash said hesitantly, "There's something I haven't told you. I don't know if I should, but it might affect your marriage."
Caroline frowned. "Mr. Hearst, if you're not sure whether you should say something, then you shouldn't. My relationship with my husband won't be affected by other people. Our marriage is fine. Don't worry about it."
Seeing she was about to hang up, Nash said, "Last time I went to Gastronomy Royale, I saw your husband go in with Pearl from the Reynolds Group."
Before he could finish, Caroline had already hung up.
When Nash called again, she didn't answer.
Caroline parked her car and got out, only to see someone step out of a car nearby. It was Nash.
Her expression immediately turned cold, and she deliberately ignored him.
Nash followed behind her. Caroline suddenly stopped, turned around with a serious face and said, "Mr. Hearst, your behavior is harassment now."
Nash shrugged. "I live in this complex."
He even waved the elevator card in his hand.
Caroline awkwardly looked away, her annoyance with Nash reaching its peak. She deliberately slowed down to create distance between them. Only after Nash disappeared around the corner ahead did she continue walking.
She'd calculated everything except that when she pressed the elevator button, Nash was inside.
He was leaning against the elevator wall, clearly waiting for her.
Caroline said, "Mr. Hearst, what exactly do you want?"
Nash stepped out, dodging the question. "You don't know Pearl. When she talks business with men, it's not just business. Especially with someone as outstanding as Mr. Wipere, aren't you worried something might happen between them?"
Caroline said, "I don't need to worry. I know exactly what kind of person he is. The thing you're talking about won't happen to him. Moreover, Ms. Reynolds isn't the kind of person you described. It's shameful and also illegal to spread salacious rumors about women behind their backs."
Nash seemed to find this funny. "You still don't understand men, and you don't understand Pearl either."
Caroline said, "Mr. Hearst, you're offending me now. If you keep following me and making false statements about my husband, I won't hesitate to call the police right now."
She pulled out her phone. Nash shrugged and smiled. "Go ahead and call. When the police come, I haven't done anything to you. I live here, is that a problem?"
Caroline's eyes flashed with anger, her hand clenched into a fist at her side.
Nash said, "There's definitely something going on between your husband and her. Don't doubt it. I wouldn't say it without proof."
He even has proof, ridiculous.
Caroline said, "I'll say this one more time: there's nothing inappropriate between my husband and Ms. Reynolds. And you, as an outsider, stay out of my family business. Move."
Nash didn't believe any woman wouldn't bend for money. "In our circle, everyone plays their own thing. I've taken a fancy to you. If you come with me, name your terms and I'll definitely meet it. By the way, your father will step down to a secondary position in two years. Without him, who else will protect you? But my network of connections can ensure you get to the position you want."
Caroline said, "What do you mean?"
Nash, seeing her attitude soften, stepped closer. Caroline stepped back half a step. Nash smiled. "What are you afraid of? I'm not going to eat you. I like you, it's not too late."
Caroline switched her phone to her other hand, tucked her hair behind her ear, and asked, "Are you trying to bribe me? Do you know bribing me is illegal?"
Nash clicked his tongue, his tone flippant. "What do you mean by bribery? If you're with me, I'm not going to let you get nothing out of it, right? Of course, if we have opportunities to work together in the future, I won't shortchange you."
Caroline said, "What do you mean by 'opportunities to work together in the future' and 'won't shortchange me'?"
Nash thought Caroline wanted a promise and said, "If we work together, I'll give you a 20% kickback."
Caroline suddenly smiled and looked up at something behind him. "The security camera has already recorded evidence of you trying to bribe me. And your false rumors too."
Nash was shocked and slowly turned around.
Sure enough, there was a security camera with a red light blinking, it was running.
He looked back and nodded. "Alright, you got me. I'll take the loss."