Chapter 124
"So in Joseph Hernandez's eyes, she had become a woman who cried herself to sleep over him every night? She was so in love that she'd devoted herself to being his wife for the rest of her life?
Cassie's mind was reeling, trying to make sense of it all. She seriously wondered if she had done something terrible to Laura Miller in a past life to deserve this.
Why else would Laura have set her up with Joseph in the first place, and now that Cassie was finally ready to climb out of that pit, she was portrayed as the lovestruck damsel?
After he had just rescued her, Cassie couldn't just turn around and coldly assert that Laura had lied to him.
So she was embarking on another grueling odyssey of deception?
""Don't be mad at me, I did it all to save you,"" Laura Miller whispered pitifully into her ear. ""Any later and you might have been tortured to death in there. Please don't spill the beans in front of Joseph Hernandez or we're dead meat. The guy is a top-notch lawyer, untouchable. Plus, you're out on bail now, but the Anderson family is still pressing charges. If you want to walk away scot-free, Joseph Hernandez is your only ticket out.""
Cassie nearly choked on her own anger.
So after all this time, she had to suck up to Joseph Hernandez again?
Deep down, she loathed the idea of pursuing anyone with ulterior motives.
Laura Miller continued: ""Trust me, no one in Madison can help you but Joseph Hernandez. Without his intervention, you're looking at serious time – not just a few years. The embezzlement charges are steep; you could get a decade or more. If they throw the book at you, it could even be twenty or thirty years. Plus, you don't want to live your life branded as a fraud, do you?""
Cassie's heart sank, and she clenched her fist in refusal to accept this fate.
Yeah, she couldn't let this stain mar her reputation; she had to prove her innocence.
---
Upon arrival at the hospital, Cassie was immediately taken to the examination room for a medical evaluation, as is standard procedure for anyone brought into custody.
The physician quickly assessed her condition and provided a report, which was then given to Joseph Hernandez.
The report indicated that Cassie had sustained injuries that were more severe than initially thought. Such findings could suggest that she had been mistreated during her detainment, which would be a serious violation of her rights.
""Besides these injuries, Miss Brooks has some serious underlying damage. If she doesn't start recuperating now, she might have difficulty conceiving in the future,"" the doctor informed Joseph Hernandez.
He was momentarily taken aback but then realized the full picture.
Cassie had been exposed to harsh conditions not just once but twice. It would have knocked the wind out of anybody, let alone a young woman.
""We must ensure her full recovery,"" Joseph Hernandez said, frowning deeply. How could his woman face the possibility of not bearing children? He envisioned a future, but...
No, that was wrong. What was he thinking? Even though this woman might love him dearly, he hadn't even decided if he wanted her to have his children.
After the doctor left, Walter promptly handed over the gathered information to him.
Leo's eyes widened with the gravity of the revelation. ""The hotel fire was no accident. It was all because Robert's wife's nephew swapped out the wiring for some cheap knockoffs behind the company's back. Some of the folks over at Height Company knew about it, but Alexander... he lined their pockets, and they all turned a blind eye. After the fire broke out, to save Alexander's hide, the Brooks family set up Miss Brooks as the fall guy.""
Joseph Hernandez was incredulous. ""You're telling me that they valued a nephew over their own daughter?""
""Could be they just really didn't like their daughter. Plus, Alexander has a way with people. Over the years, he's skimmed a lot and showered Robert and his wife with plenty of lavish gifts.""
Walter paused, adding, ""Now that Miss Brooks has been left to take the fall, the Andersons have lawyered up and are gearing up for an appeal.""
""Right, got it,"" Joseph said.
With his mind racing and the files clutched in his hand, Joseph Hernandez headed to the VIP hospital ward."
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