Chapter 72
Five years ago, to protect Vanessa, Vincent didn’t hesitate to frame Claire and send her to prison.
And now, five years later, he’s heard rumors that Claire pushed Vanessa down the stairs. Is he starting to feel guilty and planning to go against her again?:
“Yes, I did it,” Claire admitted without hesitation &
Vincent had expected Claire to deny or explain, but to his shock, she owned up to it immediately.
He looked at her, disbelief written all over his face.X
Claire merely returned his gaze coolly, her eyes full of sarcasm. “So, Attorney Lewis, what’s your plan this time? Send me back to prison? How long will it be–five years? Ten?“%
Each word was like a sharp blade cutting into Vincent’s heart.
He felt as though something was lodged in his throat, rendering him speechless 8
“Claire, we’ve known each other since childhood. You know I would never do that to you.”
Claire remained silent. If she hadn’t endured five years behind bars, she might have believed him. Unfortunately, no amount of sweet talk could regain her trust now.
She didn’t want to see Vincent, much less listen to his equivocations.
“If you’re not here to arrest me, then you can leave. If you intend to press charges, I’ll be ready.”
“Claire, I’m just here because I care about you,” Vincent said, his voice full of pain.
“I don’t need it,” Claire replied coldly.
Her repeated rejections were pushing Vincent to the brink of losing his composure.
He stepped closer, his eyes filled with desperation and sorrow, “Claire, what do I have to do for you to forgive me? Can’t you see how much I care? Ever since you got out, I’ve been trying to see you whenever I can. Yet, you always push me away. What do you want? Just tell me. I
Finally, Claire looked him in the eye, her gaze icy and cutting. I served five years for a crime I didn’t commit without complaint. But you, the lawyer who used fake evidence to convict me, are the one who feels wronged? As an attorney, shouldn’t you understand how important innocence is to a person?
Vincent’s face turned pale, his heart heavy with regret &
He hadn’t wanted any of this, but he felt trapped.
Variessa had been a benefactor, funding his college education when he couldn’t afford it. Despite being a wealthy heiress, she was kind–hearted and down–to–earth.
He couldn’t believe Vanessa would push Irene down the stairs. And with the Linwood family’s testimony against Claire, even if he doubted her guilt, she was the only plausible suspect in his mind.
He looked at Claire with deep sadness, hoping she would understand his predicament.
His eyes were filled with helplessness and inner conflict. “Claire, no matter what happened, we have to move forward. Why can’t you let the past go?“H
To Claire, his words were a cruel joke.
If the whip doesn’t lash your own back, you’ll never know the pain.
Only now did she see Vincent for who he truly was–a fool who had wronged her without a second thought
She was falsely accused, yet if she held on to her grievances, she was labeled petly and unable to let go of the past.)
She was furious.
Funous that it took her so long to see Vincent’s true colors.
Hąd she known earlier, she wouldn’t have worked herself to the bone, taking on extra jobs and entering competitions just to earn enough money so Vincent could focus on his studies.
She had been so afraid he’d worry that she’d only ever helped him anonymously
She never imagined that the law student she had supported would use his knowledge to send her to prison.
And now, he had the gall to tell her to move on.
