[83]
Tired of crying, but her eyes couldn’t close. Since Leonel left the living room where Ester kept everything tightly closed but eventually discovered by Leonel, she had yet to move from her spot. She had shouted Leonel’s name countless times, argued, gave reasons, and slightly criticized the man she loved so much.
But none of it made Leonel look at her with the same love as before. All she saw was disappointment and anger in his eyes.
“The more you talk about all this, Ester, the more I realize why my parents never approved. I was foolish to always go against what they said.”
He walked away, accompanied by a firmly closed door, indicating that Leonel would no longer look at her the same way.
“How did Leonel find out?” Ester whispered. She quickly wiped away all the tears streaming down her cheeks. One by one, her eyes focused on all the photos Ester had taken on specific days. She couldn’t deny any of them. Her encounters with Josh were also done consciously. She still remembered what they talked about.
But when it came to Chloe. No, Ester wasn’t that heartless. Even though she was involved in the conspiracy to bring down Leonel in public, then, like a hero, she came to support him but ended up involved in Chloe’s accident.
She still vividly remembered how Leonel completely ignored her defense. Instead, he kept pushing for Ester to confess. How could she admit when she hadn’t done anything? And why did Leonel conclude that she was the mastermind behind Chloe’s accident, nearly taking the woman’s life she despised?
Ester hated Chloe. That was true. But to cause her harm and further jeopardize her position, what was the point? It was useless.
“I didn’t do it!” Ester exclaimed loudly. “Don’t accuse me as if I’m so sinful that I would stoop to such petty acts!”
“All the evidence points to you, Ester,” Leonel grumbled in frustration. “Just admit it, Ester. Don’t add to the disappointment in my heart!”
“What should I admit, Leonel?! What?” Ester approached, her eyes fiercely staring at her opponent. Like someone overwhelmed by intense emotions, Leonel gripped Ester’s face. Though it hurt, Ester refused to let out a sound. Her heart cried. She had never been mistreated by Leonel before.
Every touch she received from him had always been gentle and tender, especially from Leonel. She trembled in fear, not expecting Leonel to act this way.
“Explain that, then. All this evidence points to you!” Leonel let go with a sudden jerk. His pale face appeared red from the remnants of Leonel’s grip. He didn’t want to do it, but he didn’t expect Ester to be capable of such actions.
Was it causing Chloe to lose her life nearly? God! Was there anything more despicable than what Ester had done? And to make matters worse, everything seemed planned!
“I returned to New York City a day before Chloe’s accident. Yet you claim these photos were taken two days before the accident. How is that possible?”
Leonel chuckled. “Is it true that you went to Paris? I tracked it, Ester. You returned a week before the accident happened. Your agent confirmed it.”
Ester’s eyes widened in shock. “No. I truly didn’t lie about this. Even though I strongly desired to do so, I didn’t harm Chloe.”
Leonel didn’t believe her. “I never expected that you would still argue even with this kind of evidence. Including your collaboration with Josh? I won’t let you two touch Mountain for too long.”
“I don’t care about Mountain, Leonel. That’s Josh’s business. I don’t care. All I want is for us to get married.”
“Mountain is my life, Ester!” Leonel shouted. “Papa raised Mountain with all his love and care. I won’t let it crumble just like that.”
Ester chuckled softly. “Since the beginning, you’ve only cared about Mountain and your parents. What about me?”
“I’ve been trying to be patient until the right time, Ester. But as time passes, God keeps revealing to me what kind of woman I often carried and loved with all my heart.”
Ester tried to grab Leonel’s hand. “I didn’t do anything wrong to Chloe, Leonel. Even if I were asked to swear in God’s name, I would. Because truly, I didn’t do it.”
Leonel looked at Ester with doubt. After so many lies, he was deceived in many ways to make everything Ester and Josh wanted to happen. And now Ester claimed she didn’t do it? It was hard for Leonel to believe.
“If you’re innocent, then say everything in court. I will tell Chloe about this. And even if my ex-wife doesn’t want to press charges, I will be the one to sue you.”
Remembering Leonel’s accusations and conversations just now, Ester’s heart ached. Her eyes filled with tears once again. She pushed aside the photos and files related to Josh. She focused on the images and some things about her activities at the workshop and…
“This… It’s not true!” Ester slammed the table. “Who dares to do something like this!”
The only thing she would do was to call Josh. But several times, the calls connected, but she has yet to get a response from Josh. Maybe there was still time, or perhaps Josh was busy.
“Damn it!”
***
It didn’t take long for Chloe to arrive at Chris’s office. She couldn’t ask Chris to come to her house. She maintained a sense of politeness, especially since she was no longer connected to the Grisham family.
Accompanied by Adrianna and the evidence obtained from Josh, she explained everything to Chris. The middle-aged man was surprised by Chloe’s call and visit. He also didn’t expect the files Chloe provided to be the same as what he had found, with only a few differences.
“I want you to handle it for me, Mr. Chris.”
Chris fell silent after an hour of Chloe’s arrival and story. He listened carefully to all the reports from Chloe. “I need to investigate further, Miss. I can’t make hasty decisions.”
“I understand,” Chloe nodded. “But can you help me? I don’t doubt your credibility, Mr. Chris. But you know, you’re busy with the Grishams. I’m afraid my case will burden you even more.”
Chris chuckled. “You, how can you say that to me? What you just told me is very surprising. I won’t stay silent if all the evidence you brought is valid. Even though you’re no longer a Grisham daughter-in-law, I consider you like my daughter, Chloe. I remember your warnings during your time as a Grisham daughter-in-law and the friendship we built. I won’t just stay silent.”
Chloe smiled sincerely. “I’m very grateful for your help, Chris.”
Then the conversation continued, discussing many questions about the information Chloe knew, which Chris listened to carefully and started concluding.
The mastermind behind all of this is Josh, just as he suspected.
“You take care of yourself, Miss. And after this, you should be prepared if the media coverage becomes widespread. I can’t hold back if journalists come to your house. And Leonel surely won’t be able to protect you anymore.”
“What do you mean?” Chloe was quite surprised by Chris’s words. “What does it have to do with Leonel?”
One thing that Leonel had kept from Chloe all this time. If it weren’t for a specific request to protect Chloe from media attacks due to rumors and news about Ester, Chloe would have long been disturbed by the presence of reporters.
When Chris revealed this, Chloe fell silent. She didn’t expect that Leonel still cared about her. But a glimmer of Leonel’s kindness wouldn’t necessarily thaw Chloe’s cold heart towards him. There were far more disappointments that Leonel had given her than good things.
So all Chloe could say was, “Please convey my gratitude to him.”
Shortly after, they bid farewell. Throughout the meeting, Adrianna hadn’t said much. She observed how the professional family lawyer worked.
“I’m sure Mr. Chris will do his best for you, Miss,” Adrianna said, holding Chloe’s hand. They were already in the car, with Budi as the driver. Chloe had asked to go home right away. There was no other business to attend to because the conversation with Chris had shaken her mood, especially since the meeting was about discussing Ester-someone Chloe hated.
“Let’s hope so. I have high hopes for Chris. Why did I choose him to be by my side? Because he knows Ester better than anyone during my marriage to Leonel.”
Adrianna nodded in understanding. During this journey home, they chose to enjoy the relatively short trip.
Meanwhile, Chris had been paying close attention to everything Chloe had shared. Also…
“Why did you call me here immediately?” Leonel entered without permission. “Don’t tell me it’s something unimportant, Chris. You know, I have a meeting with Josh today. I had to postpone my anger!”
Chris looked up and grinned slightly. “That’s good.”
Leonel furrowed his brow. “Good? I want to curse that guy already!”NôvelDrama.Org content rights.
“Take a good look at this.”
Leonel glanced briefly at what Chris showed him. “You’re telling me about this? Is it true?” Leonel sat back with his back slightly leaning on his now-occupied chair. “If you’re not diligent enough to discuss this matter again, talk to your assistant. I’m busy.” He stood up immediately, grumbling in annoyance.
Didn’t Chris understand that he was busy?
“Don’t you want to know who just met with me?”
Leonel’s steps halted.
“Chloe. She brought the same thing we’ve been investigating, Leonel.”