Chapter 63 Heartbroken
"I'll do it myself."
Zachary pressed down on Alicia's hand. His sharp features were clouded with fury, his face ashen as if he intended to severely punish Quinley, the prime suspect.
Alicia startled but quickly recovered. "Zach, are you sure about this? Ms. Elikin might be innocent."
She feigned concern for Quinley while actually testing Zachary's resolve.
His eyes were cold as winter steel, refusing to look at Quinley as he spoke in a voice like ice from the depths of winter. "Contact Chief Smith. Explain the situation. All suspicious persons should be interrogated thoroughly—no mercy."
He was addressing Lucas, but Quinley felt like the words were meant for her. Suspicious persons—wasn't that just her? The message came from her phone, and Sylvia was hurt because she went to meet "her." Didn't that make Quinley the perpetrator?
So in the end, Zachary hadn't listened to her explanations at all. He was convinced she'd hurt Sylvia. Interrogate thoroughly? Show no mercy?
Ha. A cold laugh echoed in Quinley's mind. Zachary was truly ruthless when he turned against someone.
Lucas followed orders immediately. Soon, Chief Smith arrived personally.
"Mr. Jennings, with such a serious incident in your family, you must stay strong. Leave the investigation to me—I guarantee we'll uncover the truth within a week and give you answers."
Chief Smith beat his chest in assurance.
"Much obliged," Zachary replied in his usual flat tone.
Chief Smith's sharp gaze swept to Quinley, his shrewd face instantly turning fierce. "You're Quinley, right? Come with me."
Just like that, in front of everyone, Quinley was taken away.
As the elevator doors closed, she looked back at Zachary. He'd already turned around, showing her nothing but his cold, indifferent back.
Ha. An even colder smile tugged at Quinley's lips.
Outside the elevator, two plainclothes officers approached her. "Ms. Elikin, come with us."
They flanked her on either side. Chief Smith exited the elevator and strode away quickly, acting as if he'd never met Quinley before.
At the police station, Quinley was placed in a small holding cell and then... forgotten. Surprisingly, no one came to take her statement. She sat in that cramped space like the world had abandoned her.
On the second day of her detention, David arrived.
"What the hell happened?" His voice was agitated before he'd even sat down.
Quinley avoided the topic. "How did you know I was here?"
David rolled his eyes. "Why wouldn't I know? Give me some credit, will you? I'm worried sick about you."
Quinley grinned. "Worried about what? That your debtor might default? Dr. Brown, I never knew you were so petty!"
She joked lightly with David, still refusing to reveal anything.
"Just finding that out now?" David snorted.
Since Quinley wouldn't volunteer the truth, he'd have to ask directly. "Did you really hurt Zachary's mother?" He stared at her incredulously.
No one believed her—explaining would be pointless.
"Yeah," Quinley answered dismissively.
If everyone said it was her, including Zachary, then so be it.
David slapped his thigh hard. "Cut the crap, Quinley. You've told enough lies. I'd believe you stepped on an ant, but hurting Zachary's mother? Ask yourself—do you have the guts?"
He was the only person who believed in her innocence.
"Don't I look like someone who would?"
"Hell no. Anyone who believes that is an idiot," David drawled.
So Mary was an idiot? Alicia? Zachary too? Quinley couldn't help but find that amusing. She really was dancing with fools.
David leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, but his eyes never left Quinley. "Stop being stubborn. Aren't you tired of always putting on an act? Tell me the truth and I'll clear your name."
"Thank you, but you can't help with this."
If someone had set her up, they were waiting to watch her destruction. Anything she did would be futile.
"Damn it, don't you trust me?" David cursed, pointing at her. "Don't underestimate me—I'm just as capable as Zachary. If I say I'll help you, I'll see it through to the end. If you're polite with me, you're treating me like a stranger."
Quinley smiled slightly. "Fine, I trust you. I want to get out of here. Can you help me?"
"Piece of cake. Leave it to me."
But after David left, he never returned.
Day after day passed. By the third day, Quinley's heart began to grow restless. How was Sylvia? Was her family okay? Anxiety and chaos churned within her.
On the fifth day, Lucas finally appeared.
He brought many items, laying them out before her one by one. "It's gotten colder these past few days, Ms. Elikin. Please remember to dress warmly. These new clothes are sized to fit you, and I bought completely new down bedding. The sheets and covers have all been washed—please use them without worry."
"Also, these prepared foods are all things you used to enjoy. There's soup in the thermos—make sure you drink it all. And these books are ones you used to read frequently. I brought them in case you get bored."
The items were numerous and comprehensive, almost making Quinley feel like Zachary wanted her to make this place her home.
"How is Sylvia?"
"The situation isn't optimistic. She remains unconscious," Lucas answered honestly.
Quinley fell silent. After a long moment, she spoke. "Mr. Murphy, thank you, but I don't lack anything here. I won't use these things—please take them all back."
She rejected his kindness. Despite her innocence, Zachary didn't believe her. He'd personally ordered her brought here. Now he sent Lucas with all this care and attention—did he think she'd forget his heartlessness? That she'd be moved to tears by these small gestures?
Quinley laughed coldly to herself. She couldn't do it.
"Ms. Elikin, you worked for Mr. Jennings for three years. Don't you understand what kind of person he is? He sent you here for reasons he can't explain." Lucas defended Zachary but stopped mid-sentence, seeming to want to say more.
Quinley smiled bitterly. How could she not understand what kind of person Zachary was? Cold, ruthless, decisive—he never trusted anyone. Now his mother's life hung in the balance. What was Quinley to him? Just a former bedmate. Was it really so surprising that he didn't believe her?
Quinley didn't blame Zachary—she just felt heartbroken. She remembered his words clearly: no mercy.
Standing up, she didn't spare the items another glance. "Thanks, but I really don't need them."