Chapter 8 The Warden Durand Is Getting Married Today
Rachel’s face twisted. She looked both delighted and resentful, crying and laughing at Chris. “Chris, did you hear that? I’m the only one who’s been with you since we were five. Ours is the strongest bond. I’m the only one who’ll never betray you in this life.”
She pointed at me. “That bitch treats you like a dog she can summon and dismiss at will. There’s no love under power. She doesn’t love you–she’s just throwing you scraps. Her kindness was always a game. You got moved by the crumbs slipping through her fingers?”
Lucas cleared his throat. “Rachel. Fraud. Marriage scam. You swindled over ten million in dowry. Sentenced to ten years in prison.
“And now you’re falsely accusing others. I can call the cops again.”
He shook his phone. Chris turned to him, then to Rachel. “Marriage scam?”
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The crowd that had gathered, pretending to be busy with forms, perked up. Bystanders started whispering as they slowly recognized Rachel.
“My cousin got swindled out of 7.5 million. I think it was her.”
“She does look familiar. I didn’t dare say anything. She’s changed her look.”
Rachel instinctively covered her face. “Don’t talk nonsense! I’ve been in the church this whole time–I didn’t do any- thing!”
Chris narrowed his eyes. “Rachel, you wrote me a lot of letters over those ten years. You told me not to trust rich peo- ple. Tell me the truth so I can still protect you. But if you lied to me-”
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“I didn’t lie!” Rachel shouted. “They gave me the money! Those filthy men were all willing!”
Chris let out a furious, mocking laugh. He said “Alright” three times, then pointed at Lucas in scorn. “And you? Did- n’t you also do ten years?”
He was losing it. “And look at who you’re marrying! You missed out on me–that’s your biggest mistake!
“Even if Rachel was wrong, even if she tricked me, Lucas isn’t any better!”
Chris irritated, yanked open his collar and reached for my hand. “It was all Rachel’s fault. That’s enough–come home with me.”
Lucas neatly smacked his hand away.
From outside, a shout rang out–someone yelling about catching a fugitive. Lucas vanished in a blur. By the time we chased after him, he already had the guy pinned to the ground.
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Chapter 8 The Warden Durand Is Getting Married Today
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A group of tall, sharp–looking officers came and took the criminal away. Chris stormed out, his face twisted in rage. “I’m suing him for assault! He broke my hand.”
The cops paused. But the crowd had already seen everything, and the surveillance footage was clear–Chris made the first move.
Powerless and fuming, he shouted about ex–cons committing crimes again and getting away with it. The officers shot him a look of contempt before saluting Lucas. “Thanks for the help, Warden!”
And when they said the word “Warden,” the whole crowd froze in disbelief.
“Lucas, you hired actors, didn’t you?”
Chris forced himself to stay calm, but the cops looked at him like he was nuts. One muttered, loud enough for all to hear, “If dealing with lunatics was our job, I’d lock him up myself. Let him see what real justice feels like.”
“Must’ve lost it after getting dumped. I heard the warden is getting married today. Let’s go!”
***
I tugged at his sleeve. “So this is what you meant by ten years? Why didn’t you just explain?”
Lucas gave a helpless nod. “Ten years is true. I rarely got to leave. Always stuck with inmates. My parents couldn’t stand it and kept spreading awful things about me.
“But don’t worry. I got reassigned because of the marriage–moving into a desk job.”
I glanced at the scar on his face. He caught it and smiled. “I took that for someone else. If I hadn’t stepped in, that kid would’ve died. Disfigurement’s better than death, right? You don’t mind, do you?”
I quickly shook my head.
With her head lowered, Rachel attempted to remain concealed in the shadows, fearing capture. The sight of her made Chris‘ face darken even more.
He tossed out a bitter line about catching up later, then stormed off.
Rachel chased after him, but his car didn’t slow. She got clipped and fell hard to the ground, crying out, “Chris! Let me explain!”
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