Chapter 72 Let Her Clear Her Head in There.
Raymond grabbed his teacup and took a sip, only to choke and cough when he heard the news.
Daniel bent down, grabbed a tissue, and handed it over. "Mr. Howard, chill out."
Raymond ignored the tissue, grabbed one himself, wiped his lips, and smirked. "Officer, spreading rumors ain't free."
"I got a report and had to check it out. Mr. Howard, if you're clean, why'd someone snitch on you?" Daniel grinned, totally unfazed.
Raymond squinted. "Who ratted me out?"
Daniel pulled out his phone, showed a screenshot and message, and handed it over. "Your wife did, Mr. Howard. Ms. Martinez sent her the pic."
Raymond's face darkened, piecing it all together.
Daniel checked his watch and pushed. "Mr. Howard, can we get your statement now? I'm swamped and only got a few minutes."
Raymond sneered, "Sure, cooperating with the cops is my civic duty."
After getting Raymond's statement, Daniel called Alvin for his.
Alvin, curious but cautious, saw Raymond's furious face and kept his thoughts to himself.
If this leaked, Mr. Howard and The Hughes Group's rep would tank, and the stock would nosedive.
Daniel closed his notebook, capped his pen, and was about to leave when Raymond's mocking voice stopped him. "Officer, what's your name?"
"Taylor," Daniel said, turning back with a cool smile. "Mr. Howard, got something to say?"
Raymond's lips curled in a sneer. "Mr. Taylor, since you know Margaret's my wife, maybe you should focus on real cases. Chasing a married woman, is that your idea of professionalism?"
Daniel's eyes twinkled with amusement. "From what I hear, Mr. Howard, you and Ms. Hughes aren't exactly happy together."
Raymond leaned in, cold smile on his face. "Mr. Taylor, you trying to steal my wife?"
Daniel replied, "No, Mr. Howard. Just a heads-up to appreciate what you got before it's gone."
With that, Daniel turned and walked out of the CEO's office.
Raymond laughed angrily, thinking, 'Appreciate what I have? Who does Daniel think he is?'
Alvin asked, "Mr. Howard, Ms. Martinez is still at the station. Should we bail her out?"
Raymond snorted. "She's lost it. Let her cool off in there. Tell the cops to handle it. Don't worry about me or The Hughes Group."
Alvin grinned. "Mr. Howard, you're sharp."
He never liked Sarah and was team Margaret all the way. Sarah messing with Margaret deserved some jail time.
Raymond felt the office was stifling.
He got up, grabbed his jacket, and put it on.
Alvin looked puzzled. "Mr. Howard, heading out?"
He knew Raymond had no plans to leave that morning.
Raymond said coldly, "Going downstairs for coffee."
Alvin offered, "Mr. Howard, let me get it for you."
Raymond replied, "Do your job. I need some air and a smoke."
In the café, Margaret skipped the private room and snagged a window seat.
When Daniel showed up, he spotted her right away.
It was a workday, just past 10 AM, and the place was dead empty. She was the only customer.
Didn't matter where she sat; it was as good as a private room.
Margaret didn't order coffee—caffeine messed with her sleep.
In the display window, there were these fresh strawberry shortcakes, loaded with cream and topped with juicy, red strawberries.
She eyed them and couldn't resist.
The shortcake was plate-sized, so she ordered one.
She scooped up a bite with cream and half a strawberry and took a taste.
It was soft, fragrant, and downright delicious.
Looking up, Margaret saw a tall figure in a hat and police uniform—Daniel—striding into the café.
The waiter saw Daniel and froze. "We didn't call the cops."
Daniel flashed a warm smile. "Relax, I'm just here for coffee."
Seeing Margaret wave, he walked over and sat next to her.
The waiter handed him the menu, asking him to pick a coffee.
Daniel glanced at it. He wasn't a coffee fan; too much on duty had made him immune.
Margaret suggested, "Their strawberry shortcake is bomb. Wanna try it?"
Daniel nodded. "Sure, I'll take a strawberry shortcake too."
The waiter quickly took the menu and went to prepare.
Margaret pulled a printed photo from her handbag and slid it over. "This is his picture."
Daniel picked it up, looked at it, and frowned. "No front shot?"
Margaret shook her head. "Nope, I snapped it secretly. He was getting bullied by some kids, and I chased them off. He's mute. When he saw me, he freaked and ran, so I took this pic on the sly."
Margaret pursed her lips, lost in some old memory. "I asked my friend Sarah to find him. She said he was at Hope Haven Orphanage. I even donated a million bucks to support him. But a few days ago, I found out Hope Haven never took him in. All my money went into Sarah's pocket."
Daniel asked, "Is he a friend?"
Margaret thought for a moment and shook her head. "We only met once. He doesn't even know my name."
She just wanted to see him once before she died. Maybe people get nostalgic when they're dying.
Daniel frowned, thinking. "Ms. Hughes, your husband Raymond is also an orphan. Could it be..."
Margaret cut him off. "No way. There's no such coincidence. Plus, that boy was mute."
The waiter brought the strawberry shortcake, placing it beside Daniel, and teased, "Are you two a couple? You both love strawberry shortcake and look pretty compatible."
Both Margaret and Daniel felt awkward.
Before they could explain, a mocking voice came from the door. "You two even decided to date right under The Hughes Group?"
Margaret looked up.
Raymond, in a dark suit, one hand in his pocket, walked in with an expressionless face. His unique aura and cold demeanor were intimidating.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
