Chapter 354

“Thinking of…” She shuddered, her eyes fixed on him. Hadwin Stephenson was now the Stephenson family patriarch. He undoubtedly had connections. If he helped investigate Grace’s case, she'd have better leads. Her eyes brightened. She looked at him as if he were a freshly baked bun.

“Well… I know I wronged you, and I admit to everything. I promise to do whatever you want, but… can you do me a small favor?” Lina Sweeney asked expectantly.

“A favor?” Hadwin Stephenson was surprised. “What ‘small favor’?” Her ingratiating look suggested it wasn't so small.

“My friend Grace—the one who came with Jason the other day—was wrongly convicted and spent three years in prison. She's innocent, but we lacked evidence. We have some new clues. Can you investigate them?”

Hadwin Stephenson hadn't expected this.

“She’s close to Jason. Why ask you instead of him?”

Lina Sweeney paused. “Grace doesn't know I'm asking you. And… I don't think she'd ask Jason. She was accused of drunk driving and killing Jason's fiancée, Jennifer Atkinson.”

Hadwin Stephenson chuckled.

“What’s funny?” Lina Sweeney frowned.

“Their relationship is…interesting,” he said, smiling. “But if the judge ruled your friend killed someone while drunk driving, why do you think she’s innocent?”

“Grace wouldn’t lie. She said she wasn’t drinking that day, and Jennifer Atkinson’s car swerved into hers. That’s how it happened,” Lina Sweeney said confidently.

The smile faded from Hadwin Stephenson’s face, his eyes darkening. “You trust her that much?”

“She’s my best friend. If I don’t trust her, who should I trust?” Lina Sweeney replied.

“How about me? Do you trust me?” Hadwin Stephenson asked abruptly.

Lina Sweeney was stunned. Was he foregoing revenge? Could she truly trust him? If not, she'd be utterly destroyed. She quickly answered, “Yes, of course, I trust you!”

He studied her intently. After a long moment, he lowered his lashes, hiding a flash of disappointment. “All right. Give me the clues. I’ll have someone investigate.”

“Really? Thank you so much!” Lina Sweeney exclaimed, overjoyed. She reached across the table, excitedly taking his hands. “I knew you were a good guy! You can’t go back on your word!”