Chapter 179 Saving Him
"It is going to end, William," Luke started, his voice echoing with a newfound authority as we met in the prison.
"Peach’s lawyer, Mitch, has found the original medical examiner’s report. Liyah bribed the coroner to omit the physical evidence of the struggle, and of what that monster did to you." Luke explained the situation to him calmly.
"If that comes out... the world will know everything. Every detail. I can’t, Luke…” William hesitated, his eyes on the ground.
William’s hands clenched, “I’d rather rot here than have the world look at me with that kind of pity."
"It’s not a pity, William. It’s justice. You’ve spent 13 years carrying that trauma. I couldn’t help back then but I will this time." Luke leaned in, his eyes burning, determined to drag him out from this darkness.
William almost panicked, shaking his head in denial, “And Arabella? What will I tell her? How will I face–”
“I am sorry but I broke my promise, William. I told her everything.” Luke blurted out.
William’s eyes went wide, a glimpse of pure horror crossing his face, his lips quivering, afraid to perceive what would happen now.
“What!? Why did you do that!? She… she must be thinking how horrible I am.” William stammered, clutching his chest as Luke watched how agitated he got.
“She made a public statement that you might be interested in.”
“... A public statement? Show me. Is she going to leave me? No, no, no, I can’t let that happen.”
Leaning back, Luke took out his phone, arching an eyebrow teasingly, “Why don’t you check it out?”
William hastily checked it out, praying he wouldn't find the look of ‘murderer’ in her eyes, only to hear an unforeseen statement.
“My husband is innocent. And soon, it will be proven in court too.”
“Good Lord, she did that in public?!”
William gasped in disbelief by the way Arabella pushed Liyah– something he only wished to do in his imagination.
“Yes. She is fuming.” Luke chuckled, putting his phone back, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
“We better deal with it unless we have to wrap up another murder case. Peach has to hold back Arabella each time she looks at Liyah with her murderous eyes.”
“I… I…” Stunned, William didn’t know what to say or how to express his boosting pride. Her statement, her support enhancing his feelings.
“She loves you too much, William. She never held a flicker of doubt in her heart. She was certain you had a valid reason.” Luke enunciated seriously.
William smiled, shaking his head, “... That woman.”
Luke became serious, “That is why, it is time to step forward and surface the truth. It was self-defense.”
William’s two second glee vanished, glancing at his deadpanned Brother, “Liyah cannot use circumstances against us anymore. We have grown, we have become stronger. You are no longer her slave.”
William began to tremble, his lips quivering. The words he desperately wanted to believe, to embrace reaching his ears, inducing a painful solace he never imagined to experience.
"I will not let Liyah keep you in a cage of shame. It’s time to let the world know. Don't carry it anymore. Let’s end it, William."
For a long moment, there was only silence between them. Finally, William’s shoulders dropped, letting out a long, shuddering breath and nodded.
"....Do it."
While Luke secured William’s consent, the war was being waged in the boardroom of Grayson Enterprises.
Liyah sat at the head of the table, a smug smile playing on her lips. She had already prepared the press release to announce William’s permanent removal from the company by hosting a meeting of directors.
But the doors didn't open for the press. They opened for Peach, flanked by Mitch Thorne, Peach’s personal lawyer who was an expert in saving his clients.
To indicate her victory, Peach wore her most bright pink dress, causing the eyes around to twitch by the brilliance and dominance.
They knew, the brighter the pink, the worse outcome her prey would receive.
"Waiting for a press that won’t happen, Liyah," Peach’s tempting resonance arrived as the room was empty and only Liyah sat with Cooper.
"What do you mean? They have to come." Liyah sneered, though her hand trembled slightly. "My nephew is a murderer. The Grayson name belongs to me now."
Mitch Thorne stepped forward, placing a leather briefcase on the table. He didn't waste time with pleasantries, exchanging a victorious look with Peach who sat on the table gracefully.
"Actually, Mrs. Grayson, we are here to discuss a different crime. Perjury, witness tampering, concealment of a violent felony—specifically, the assault of a minor."
The room went cold, Cooper instantly looked at Liyah whose face turned pale.
“What is he saying, Liyah?”
"I-I don't know what you're talking about."
"Give up, Liyah, your connections are useless before mine. Do you think I, Peach Grayson, who carries the whole Galaxy Chains, is incapable of digging the truth?" Peach interrupted, tilting her head with a malicious glimpse in her eyes.
Liyah tremebleed, she had heard rumors of Peach’s domination where she crushed her rivals like ants. Nobody dared to be her enemy.
"I found the vault, you could have done a… better job. At least you should have told your lawyer your husband sexually assaulted William and got killed in self-defense.” Peach chuckled and earned a horrifying gasp from Cooper who jumped from his seat.
“WHAT!?”
“Yes. She didn’t tell you? Tch, tch, tch, maybe she doesn’t trust you, Mister.” She smirked, watching Liyah being stiff.
“I found photos of the bruises on seventeen-year-old William. And I found the DNA evidence you tried to burn."
Peach leaned in closer, her voice a lethal whisper.
"You didn't protect a boy. You enslaved William, got rid of your husband. You did this for your fucking luxury. Was it worth it?” Peach hissed, getting down from the table, holding her head high in pride.
“In one hour, the world won't see William as a murderer. They will see you as the woman who fed her own nephew to a monster for a seat at this table."
Liyah looked around the room, her eyes wild, searching for an ally. But Cooper was backing away, his face twisted in disgust.
"You… you can't do this," Liyah gasped, holding her hand out to him.
“How could you and I spend years defending you…” Cooper whispered, unable to look up without shame. “What have I done?”
“YOU CAN’T DO THIS!” Liyah screamed, trying to snatch the papers on the table, losing her mind and senses.
"I’ve already done it," Peach announced, checking her watch with a sharp, satisfied click.
“No… no, no, no,”
"The police are downstairs for you. For being an accessory to the very nightmare you created."
As the sounds of sirens grew louder outside the windows, Peach smirked darkly, satisfied to crush another target and this time, she was delighted too because she was saving her…. family.
"The Grayson name doesn't belong to you, Liyah. It belongs to the siblings who survived you."