Chapter 4: There Was No Need for a Reason to Defend for Her

A cold light reappeared in Ernest’s eyes when he saw the strange man in the photo. He then extended his hand and took the photo over. Isabel was delighted and she quickly said, “I certainly do not have the balls to lie to you, Mr. Hawkins. This photo is definitely real, they…” Without even finishing, her words had all stuck in her throat when she saw what he was doing next. Ernest was tearing the photo into pieces deftly with his pale and slim fingers. With an indifferent look, he let out a grim smile. “I can see you have the balls to defile my fiancée’s innocence.”

Everyone was shocked. They did not expect him to be willing to go to great lengths to protect Florence and he had made his conclusion without even checking the photo. Who would dare to talk about that matter any further after he had said such a thing? They all gazed at Florence with awe instead of judgmental look. Florence stared at Ernest in a daze and felt her heart warmed. She then realized the feeling of being protected by someone with no reason was that warm and moving.

“M, Mr. Hawkins…” Isabel was dumbfounded with her eyes widened and mouth agape. She would not have expected him to do that no matter how. Was it because he trusted Florence or he did not care for what happened to her at all? Ernest threw the pieces casually and looked at her with contempt, as if he was looking at a clown. He then gave out his order icily. “Timothy, take her away.”

“Yes, sir.” Timothy immediately walked towards Isabel. Isabel was so frightened that her legs became weak. She quickly hid behind Grayson in panic. “Grayson, save me, now.” She could not dare imagine what her consequence would be if she was taken away by Ernest’s man. Grayson was pulling a long face as he was mad that Isabel actually offended Ernest without knowing their great difference in power, yet he still apologized to Ernest sincerely. “Mr. Hawkins, I’m really sorry. Isabel’s been reckless in her words and offended Ms. Fraser. She has known her mistake. Could you let Isabel off this one time for the sake of the relationship between our families?”

Ernest sneered. “Are you telling me to deal with the Russell family too?” Grayson was shocked and his blood curdled due to fear. Ernest was renowned for being cruel and merciless in his doings. He had nothing to fear, and he would never go against his words when he said something. He wiped his cold sweats off and said, “Please forgive me, Mr. Hawkins. I’ve been quite a big mouth. Although Isabel is my wife, she’s made a mistake, and she should receive the punishment. The Russell family would not say another word.”

Isabel stared at Grayson in disbelief. She was gradually filled with disappointment from head to toes. Her husband was actually that determined to give her up. Timothy had seen a lot of selfish men that bullied the weak and feared the strong like Grayson. He let out a mocking smile, went forward and grabbed Isabel’s arm. “Let’s go, Ms. Hopkins.”

“Let me go! I’m the daughter of the Hopkins’ family. You can’t do this to me.” Isabel was horrified and no longer caring for her image, she started to struggle and fight with Timothy, yet her strength were definitely no match against a well-trained man’s. Having realized she was going to be taken away, Isabel shot Florence a loathsome glare amidst despair.

“Florence, don’t you think you could get away the fact that you’ve gotten a room with another man when I’ve been taken away! You’ve cuckolded Ernest Hawkins with your inappropriate behavior before marriage and everyone would know about this sooner or later.” Isabel’s shrill echoed in the main hall and had attracted more and more attention. Florence looked at her in disgust and wondered how stubborn she was that she still wanted to ruin her reputation when she herself was in trouble.

“Nonsense! Flory did not get a room with Tobias at all, and it was all planned by you.” Phoebe Jenkins walked in through the main entrance in a huff. She handed a stack of photos and documents to Ernest courteously. “Mr. Hawkins, this is what I’ve found. Isabel Hopkins had brought Flory to the Style Hotel when she was drunk that night and she handed Flory to Tobias who has already waited there.

That was a planned conspiracy! But don’t you worry, although Flory was drunk, she managed to injure Tobias and escaped. I’ve fetched her near the lift and I promise she had gone home safe and sound.” Phoebe secretly winked at Florence after she finished. She had kept on investigating the matter that night for her and luckily she was able to make it on time.

Florence’s mind went blank. It was then she knew why would she show up at the Style Hotel and had experienced that kind of horrifying incident. It turned out everything happened because of Isabel! Isabel’s face went pale and she argued with guilt. “No, it’s not true. I was only being kind to let her rest in the hotel, it’s her who wanted to go with Tobias.” No one listened to her unconvincing arguments and there were more and more disgusted look tossed towards her.

Although Ernest had defended for Florence back then, he did not seem to believe in her. Knowing that she was innocent by looking at the photos now, his impression of her became slightly better. He raised his hand and handed the photos and documents to Florence and asked, “How do you want to deal with her?”

Ernest was asking for her opinion? Florence was flattered and she felt good having the support of an honorable person. Watching Isabel who was still reluctant to fix her mistakes, she did not intend to let her off easily. After having some thought, she then spoke, “Send her to the police.”

Isabel’s face went cadaverous when she heard that and she howled. “No, I can’t go to jail. My marriage, and my reputation would all be ruined. Florence, you can’t do this to me!” Feeling amused, Florence replied, “You won’t have to suffer this if you don’t set tricks on me in the first place. You deserve it.”

“No, it’s not true. It’s you, it’s all because of you.” Isabel went delirious due to panic. She jumped and wanted to pound on Florence but was held back by Timothy. He dragged her out of the hall like dragging abandoned garbage. The policemen who were patrolling nearby came just in time and they took Isabel over from him, putting handcuffs on her. “Let me go!” Isabel struggled and screamed in terror. Her hair and makeup were all ruined and she looked like an unkempt shrew.

Grayson did not look good at all. He felt that he had completely lost his dignity. His bride was taken away by the police at the scene and he was afraid that his wedding would become the biggest joke in the upper class society. He then looked at Florence who used to be disliked by his family now holding City N’s most powerful man’s arm at the moment. She was so dazzling and graceful that he could not come close to her. He felt empty not knowing why and actually had a strong thought to get Florence back.