Chapter 356 Ask Samuel for Advice
Winona spun around, "You got one shot. Think before you open your mouth. I've done my homework over the years. If you lie, after what Layla pulled today, I'll have to get a wound check and you'll be bunking with your daughter in jail."
She didn't just say it; she flashed some pics.
Pics snapped by folks in the restaurant when Layla was yanking her hair.
In those pics, Winona looked all frail, pitiful, helpless, and totally bullied.
Carlos kept his trap shut.
On one hand, he thought Layla was a moron for giving her ammo, but on the other, he felt she didn't smack Winona hard enough. Look at that smug face, she needed a good whack.
"Years back, someone hit me up to get your mom to fix a painting. I thought it was no biggie and said yes."
He skipped the juicy bits, not mentioning he got scammed, or the $8 million kickback, and definitely not that after Yara said no, he pressured and begged her until she caved.
Back then, he thought it was just some ugly painting by a nobody. Someone willing to pay that much had to be a sucker, and the money should be easy.
Later, when Yara said someone was bugging her on the phone, warning her not to fix the painting, he knew something was off and started digging.
"That painting was from the Turner family in Mode City, painted by the late Mrs. Turner for Mr. Turner. Somehow, it got messed up. The couple was madly in love all their lives."
Seeing they had ten kids, you could tell how much they were into each other. "When the painting got trashed, Mr. Turner was crushed. He was already in bad shape, and the next gen was fighting over the inheritance. Those folks tried to butter up Mr. Turner by fixing the painting, hoping he'd toss them more inheritance.
"But this had to be hush-hush. If someone else took the credit, it was game over. After warning your mom, they probably saw she was still working on it and decided to off her."
Some of this he dug up, some he guessed.
If he had the means to dig into the Turner family, he wouldn't be stuck in a police station.
"Some folks, influenced by treasure-hunting shows, said the painting was a map to the Turner's hidden loot."
Winona asked, "Where were you during those two or three hours the night my mom died?"
A flicker of unease crossed Carlos's eyes, "I've told you a million times, I was at your grandma's place. There was traffic. If you don't believe me, check the surveillance."
Over the years, the tapes had been swapped out many times. How could she check? He was banking on this, so he was fearless.
"Do you know how to find her?" Winona handed him the sketch she had just made outside, showing Grace Hall.
Carlos glanced at it, "No clue."
"Never mind, the driver said he knows. I'll ask him."
He suddenly panicked and then said, "Every June 16th, she goes to Pomegranate Hill Cemetery to visit her mom's grave. That's all I know. She mentioned it while chatting with your mom."
She had asked everything she needed to. Carlos didn't know anything deeper.
Winona stood up and left.
Carlos said, "I've told you everything I know. You promised to get me out of here."
Before he could finish, Winona was already gone.
Outside the police station, Winona spotted Zachary's car parked by the curb, the setting sun bouncing off it like a blinding golden spotlight.
Zachary hopped out and opened the door for her.
Winona slid in, the cool blast of AC instantly chasing away the heat. "Didn't I tell you to just text me the address?"
"It was on the way."
Winona nodded, didn't say more, and reached for her seatbelt. But Zachary beat her to it.
He knelt on one knee on the driver's seat, reaching for the seatbelt, his body leaning over her, casting a shadow that wrapped around Winona.
Probably because of the heat, his tie was loosened and hanging casually around his neck, and three buttons of his shirt were undone. As he moved, the collar bunched up, showing off the tight muscles of his chest.
In the cramped car, their breaths mingled, creating a slowly building intimate vibe.
Winona licked her lips, her eyes landing on his sexy, slightly protruding Adam's apple, her voice steady, "Been watching soap operas again?"
"Watched one or two."
"No wonder." Her fingers brushed across his exposed chest like a feather, the touch both ticklish and tingly. Zachary almost lost it. If he hadn't remembered her saying, "You won't pass your probation without my consent," he would've leaned into her retreating hand.
She snatched the seatbelt from his hand, clicked it into place, and said coldly, "Get back to your seat. Aren't you hot under the sun?"
Zachary, a bit let down, sat back and started the car, heading towards the restaurant.
Winona turned her head, looking at her reflection in the window, and quietly let out a long breath.
The restaurant was quite a drive from the detention center. While waiting at a red light, Zachary sent a text to Samuel. Since he was still blocked on WhatsApp, he used regular messaging: [Do those soap opera tricks for chasing women really depend on the person?]
Samuel: [If you want to chase a woman, don't watch soap operas. Watch action movies.]
Zachary stared at the words on the screen, his eyes almost blazing.
Samuel: [If a woman loves you, she'll accept any way you chase her. Even if she's not satisfied, she'll find a good excuse for you. If she doesn't love you, no matter what you do, she'll think you're a fly, annoying and disgusting. So, Winona doesn't love you.]
Samuel: [Just answer my question. Why so much rambling?]
Samuel didn't reply. Who knew if he was too lazy to respond or had blocked him.
Dylan booked the restaurant, highlighting its romantic vibe, elegant ambiance, and high price tag. The waitstaff were all handsome guys and beautiful gals, dressed in uniform attire. They bowed and extended their hands, "This way, please."
Winona's gaze fell on the waiter's hand, just a subconscious action.
Zachary stepped forward to block her.
Winona was puzzled, "What are you doing?"
The path was wide enough, why did he have to walk in front of her?
"To keep you from being charmed away."
There were still plenty of handsome waiters standing at the door. Winona blushed and glared at him, "What nonsense are you talking about? When have I ever been charmed away?"
Zachary accused her, "Last time, just because a waiter's hand looked good, you eagerly gave him your contact info."
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