Chapter 355 She Still Couldn't Forget That Man
Winona snatched up the phone in a flash, which took the edge off Zachary's anger a bit. "Got us a dinner reservation tonight. Where you at? I'll swing by and get you."
If Dylan had caught wind of this, he would've rolled his eyes so hard. Who was it that just swore he wouldn't sweet-talk anyone? He thought his boss had finally grown a spine, but it turned out he was still the same as before.
"Sure thing," Winona's mood did a 180. "Just drop me the restaurant address. I'll grab a cab."
Zachary's tension melted away, and a grin crept onto his face.
He knew it. Between him and Frank, Winona still leaned his way. It was his rookie dating skills and low EQ that gave Frank a shot.
Winona had no clue about his inner drama. She was chilling on a bench outside the police station, sketching away.
With a few strokes, a woman's face took shape on the paper.
"I wanna see Carlos, but he hasn't been sentenced yet. Only his lawyer can see him. So, I'm asking for your help to get in."
Zachary was floored.
He really was just a pawn for Winona.
The joy from Winona agreeing to dinner lasted all of thirty seconds before it fizzled out. "So you said yes to dinner just to get my help?"
She hadn't expected Zachary to think that way. "No, if you don't help me, I'll find another way to see Carlos."
"I'll help you," Zachary sensed something off in her tone, fearing her next words would be "You're fired."
"Winona, I'll set it up for you to see Carlos, but can we chill on that no-kissing rule? How about a week? No, make that a month."
His cautious tone made Winona both laugh and sigh, with a hint of heartache she quickly buried.
Otherwise, she feared she'd cave and keep giving in.
Winona said, "Does a girlfriend need to add conditions when asking her boyfriend for help?"
"Nope," Zachary shot back. "I'll have someone take you inside."
Three minutes after hanging up, a uniformed officer strolled out of the police station and headed straight for Winona. "Mrs. Bailey, please follow me."
Compared to last time, Carlos looked like he'd been through the wringer. Seeing Winona, he lunged forward, almost toppling over the table. "Winona, you finally remembered to visit me."
A nearby officer yanked him back by the collar, making him sit properly. "Mind the rules!"
Winona watched coldly. "Mr. Sullivan, Layla just yanked my hair to get a DNA test. She even hired a lawyer and is waiting for the results to sue me for years of child support. Wasn't that your idea?"
Carlos was momentarily thrown off, then squeezed out a couple of crocodile tears, speaking all earnest-like. "How could I really sue you? Even though you're not my biological daughter, I've raised you for so many years and consider you my own. You haven't visited me, and I have something to discuss with you. I was desperate and came up with this idea."
His face turned all serious. "Get me out first, and I'll have Layla apologize to you. How could she treat you so harshly?"
Winona cut him off, feeling like she might hurl if she listened any longer. "Did my mom get into trouble because she restored that painting?"
Carlos's face went pale as a ghost. "What painting? I don't know. She restored a ton of stuff and wouldn't let me into her studio, saying I disturbed her work."
Winona stared him down. "Do you not want to get out of here?"
"I can get you out and help pay off your debts, but no one is a saint these days," she said, her voice dropping like a weight on him. "Why should I help you? You need to give me a reason to think you're worth it."
Carlos's lips quivered. "I'm your dad."
"You're not my real father. You know how you treated me after you remarried. Do you think I can just forgive and forget?"
Carlos, usually a wimp, was surprisingly tight-lipped this time. "Winona, your mom's death was really an accident."
Winona slapped a piece of paper on the table. "Look at this. Does the handwriting look familiar?"
Carlos glanced down instinctively, and just one look hit him like a ton of bricks.
"This is Mom's diary. It says you forced her to take on that painting. Carlos, what secret does that painting hold?"
Yara's diary was vague and short. This page was a fake, with Carlos's name added.
"Don't lie to me. Your mom never kept a diary."
"I found this at Hillside Villa."
Carlos's face twisted, teeth clenched. That bitch still couldn't forget that bastard!
There was a rumor that the man was a homeless guy Yara picked up. They had an affair and a kid. Her father was dead set against it and forced her to break up with him. She wanted to keep the kid and found Carlos to be her child's father..
"I met the driver from that accident. His son is seriously ill and needs treatment abroad. I told him if he told me the truth, I'd help send his son abroad. But I'm not a saint, so I'll only help one of you. It depends on who talks more."
Carlos got all agitated. "Your mom died in an accident. What do you want me to say? Get me out, and I can help you marry Zachary. With your current background, you can't marry into the Bailey family. Help me make a comeback, and with the Sullivan family's support, it'll be easier for you to marry him."
Winona didn't even bother arguing. This guy was stubborn as a mule. She stood up and walked out.
"Winona." Seeing her reach the door without looking back, Carlos panicked and shouted, "I'll talk."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
