Chapter 281 Hunter Is the Culprit
Charles gently pulled away from Patricia and looked into her eyes with a serious demeanor,seriously. "Mommy, I need to tell you something about Fannie..."Fan—"
Before he could finish, aA firm hand landed on his shoulder, and Martin's voice broke in,. "Charles, your mothermommy has been looking for you for a long time. She's and is exhausted,. lLet her rest. She's been suffering from insomnia, and she doesn't need any more emotional strain."
The implication was clear: don't tell her the truth.
Confused, Charles looked up at Martin,. "Why?"
His question was bizarre to everyone else except Martin.
"Come with me!"." Martin took his hand and led him to the bedroom.
As soon as the bedroom door closed behind them with a definitive click, Charles could no longer contain his anger, his voice tinged with indignation, "Why can't I tell her? I need to expose what Hunter really is. Didn't you see him? He was still pretending..."
"Why can't I tell her?" Charles said, his voice tinged with indignation. "I need to expose Hunter for what he really is. Didn't you see him? He was still pretending."
Martin crouched down to Charles's level, gently ruffling his hair. "Buddy, you're just too young, still a little impulsive. Remember, you've got to have solid proof concrete evidence to catch a thief red-handed. If you don't have enough to nail them in one fell swoop, you've got to be patient. Otherwise, you're just gonnagoing to spook them."
Charles protested, "But Frank is the evidence, right? I've asked him to come over forward and confront Hunter face to face."
Martin shook his head in resignation.. "And what if he turns the tables on us, claimsing we coerced him into framing Hunter? What then?"
Charles instinctively shook his head, denying it outright.. "No way, godfather Uncle Frank wouldn't do that."
After all, the man had raised him for years.
Despite hisCharles' grievances against Frank, deep down, he still believed his godfather he wasn't thea villain he seemed to be.
He. Charles had faith that the godfather wouldn't betray in him like that.
Martin prodded further, "And what. "What if Hunter flat-out denies everything, and accuses us of conspiring with Frank to set him up?"
Charles replied without hesitation,. "My mommy will believe me, not him."
Martin saw the innocence of youth in him and shook his head with a gentle sigh.
"Frank's grandma is still in Hunter's grip. If Hunter threatens him with her life, who's to say Frank won't lie for him again? If they band together, we'll not only fail to avenge Fannie, but we'll also end up tipping our hand."
Tears began to fall again from Charles's eyes again. "Then what? Are we supposed to let them keep fooling my mommy?"
Martin sat on the edge of the bed, lifting Charles onto his lap with a tenderness and patience in his voice. "Didn't Daddy tell you? You've got to catch them red-handed, and when you do, it's got to be decisive, with no room for them to wriggle free."
Charles blinked hopefully. "Daddy, do you have a plan?"
Martin nodded, his promise as solemn as an oath.. "I swear to you, we'll get justice for Fannie. Just give me a few more days,. I'll make sure Hunter has nowhere to run."
After a series of events, Charles's view of his father had evolved from initial hate, contempt, disdain, and indifference to now one of admiration and respect.
The image of his father stood tall in his eyes.
"Daddy, I believe in you. You'll definitely get justice for Fannie!" Exclaiming this, Charles hesitated before cautiously adding,Charles said. "But..."
Martin saw right through his son's apprehensions. "Are you worried about giving yourself away, scared that Hunter might detect something off about you?"
Charles nodded, and laid his concerns laid bare.
"Ever since the hurricane, when he braved death to save me, I'd accepted him as a father figure. I held him in high regard and grew fond of him. But now, knowing he's the one behind Fannie's demisedeath, I detest him so vehemently I couldwant to kill him myself to avenge her. How could I possibly feel. Pretending to hold affection for him again? Even pretending to do so is beyond my capacity.."
Sigh.
Martin understood it was asking a lot to expect him to warm up to someone he despised.
"Look, why don't you stay at my place for a few days? I'm tied up gathering evidence against Hunter and haven't had the time to visit Randy in the hospital. He's, so he's harboring some resentment. Why don't you cover for me and look after him?"
Charles expressed his worry: "I'm afraid he might harm Mom!"
Martin reassured him gently, "What if he hurts Mommy?" Charles said.
"Don't worry, he won't hurt your mother. mommy," Martin said gently. "His issue with you is actually about getting closer to her. With you out of the picture, it'll be playingplay right into his hands."
Upon reflection, Charles realized Martin's point made sense.
For all of Hunter's loathsome and despicable traits, he had always treated Mommy well.
If he had gone to such lengths to be with her, it washe would unlikely he'd harm her.
Reassured, Charles nodded in agreement to Martin's suggestion.
. "I've beenfelt so heartbrokendown these past days that I haven't had a chance to visit Randy since I got backreturned. I'd much rather spend time at the hospital with Randy than have to face Hunter's hypocritical acts."
Martin spokesaid softly, "Then pack your bags. I'll go and inform your mother."
"Okay!"."
After the father and son settled on the plan, Charles began to pack while Martin went to speak with Patricia.
Both When Martin emerged, Patricia and Jade breathed a sigh of relief to see Charles back safe. When he emerged, they eagerly approached to inquire, .
"How is Charles doing? Did he want to talk to me earlier?" Patricia asked.
Martin cast a subtle glance at Hunter.
Hunter, who returned the look with an unruffled smile.
Martin coolly averted his eyes and spoke firmly,. "He wanted to let you know that he's thinking of staying at the hospital with Randy for a few days, to get a change ofin scenery and regroup."
"Stay at the hospital with Randy?" Patricia recovered from a brief pausesaid, slightly surprised, and promptly nodded. "That's a good idea. It'll help take his mind off things so he isn't constantly dwelling on Fannie's memory. I'm resuming my hospital duties tomorrow, andso I'll drop in on Randy thenby."
Before the words were fully out of her mouth, Charles appeared, luggage in tow.
"Well, if you're okay with it, I'll take Charles now."," Martin said.
Patricia held back the tears as she gazed at Charles, her vision blurring with the moment's emotion of the moment.
. She walked up to Charles and hugged him, her voice laced with concern. .
"Charles, please take good care of yourself. ," she said, her voice laced with concern. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out to your daddy or me."
"Got it!"," Charles replied with a reassuring nod. As he prepared to leave, he took Jade's hand and gently reminded hersaid, "Jade, I need you to look after mMommy while I'm gone. She's been out of sorts ever since Fannie passed. Try to lift her spirits, will youplease?"
Jade tapped him playfully on the forehead to lighten the mood. "Enough with the drama—it's like we're in a soppy movie. Don't worry; I'll take good care of her. Now Head off,go on; it's getting late!"."
With a solemn "Hmm," Charles handed his suitcase to Martin. He and walked away, looking back after every few steps, but never exchanging a single word with Hunter.
Hunter squinted, sensing that something was off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Then, in a flash of insight, it hit him—Charles' behavior had changed subtly.
It was Charles's behavior—it had changed subtly.
What's'What's going on? Did he find outHas the boy discovered something? Or wasis he just in a bad mood?'
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