Chapter 279: Currying Favor
Ruby had never let go of her hatred since leaving Falconer. Her mother had been crushed to death, and after years of suffering, her father died with resentment in his heart. As their only daughter, how could she possibly forgive the murderer?
Staring at the photos in her phone gallery, Ruby silently vowed, “Mom, Dad, I will make sure Joy Chaucer ends up in prison for what she did to you.” She put away her phone, changed out of her work clothes as her shift had ended, and it was time for a changeover.
After changing, Ruby left through the back door of the bar and drove to the factory where Fiona worked. To track Joy Chaucer and Fiona, she had specifically bought a second-hand van. Ruby had already figured out Fiona’s work schedule. The factory operated a three-shift system, and today Fiona would finish the morning shift, which meant she would be off by six in the evening.
Parking the van across from the factory, Ruby waited and soon saw Fiona leave. She quickly snapped a few photos. Watching Fiona hail a cab and leave, Ruby promptly followed.
About an hour later, Fiona arrived at the hotel where Justin was staying. Ruby didn’t follow her inside to avoid raising suspicion and waited at the hotel entrance instead.
Fiona reached Justin’s room and rang the doorbell; the door opened quickly. “Justin,” Fiona entered, “How are you? I called you right after I got off work. I also saw the news online; Meredith cleared your name. That’s really great.”
“I’m okay,” Justin replied. “Fiona, thank you. Meredith told me everything. You were really worried about my situation and even confronted Mr. Thatcher.”
Justin no longer referred to Mr. Thatcher as his father; he had disowned him from his heart. “I remember the times you helped me when I needed it. I’m not ungrateful. How could I not care when you’re in trouble?” Fiona said, “I don’t have Meredith’s ability to gather evidence. At most, I could only confront Mr. Thatcher to vent my anger.”
“You were brave this time, Fiona. Thank you, really,” Justin sincerely expressed his gratitude, assuming Fiona’s bravery was to defend him, without giving it a second thought.
“I didn’t really help much; it was all Meredith’s doing,” Fiona modestly said.
“This time Meredith really did help a lot,” Justin spoke with gratitude. “If it wasn’t for Meredith, I wouldn’t know how to handle the slander or uncover the truth about Mr. Thatcher selling his children, let alone expose their true faces.”
“Meredith is really good to you, Justin. Honestly, Meredith and I have some differences, but I have to admit, she’s really impeccable,” Fiona continued, pretending to praise Meredith: “Meredith is smart. She knew to get the evidence slandering you from Gemma first. If I were half as smart as her, I wouldn’t just be working in a factory.”
“Fiona, a gold nugget shines no matter where it is,” Justin encouraged her. “You’ll do better and better.”
“I definitely will get better in this lifetime,” Fiona asserted confidently, her eyes shimmering with assurance, as Joy Chaucer would be her long-term source of money.
“That’s good to hear,” Justin, oblivious to Fiona’s underlying motives, said.
“Justin, Meredith has done you a huge favor this time, and since she’s expecting a child, maybe you could buy something for the baby.”
“Of course,” Justin agreed. “I need to thank Meredith properly.”C0ntent © 2024 (N/ô)velDrama.Org.
After making a good impression, Fiona left and returned to the factory dormitory. Ruby, having followed the entire way, gained nothing new and decided to call it a day.
During this time, Justin stayed hidden in the hotel, not visiting his office. He had changed the locks of his old apartment and informed the apartment security not to let Mr. Thatcher and his family enter.
Mr. Thatcher was left helpless.
Furious, Mr. Thatcher could only go to the police to accuse Justin of abandonment, only to find out that Justin had preempted him by accusing Mr. Thatcher of selling and abandoning his children. Mr. Thatcher nearly passed out on the spot.
That night, the Thatcher family had no choice but to sleep under a bridge. They had no money and nowhere else to go. Mrs. Thatcher picked up Gemma from school and returned to their makeshift shelter under the bridge. Confused, Gemma asked, “Grandma, why aren’t we going home? Where’s Uncle Ainsley?”
“Don’t mention that beast,” Mr. Thatcher exploded in rage. “He kicked us out, or why would we end up living under a bridge?”