Chapter 473
“So it’s Michael. Guess there’s nothing left for me to do here,” Ricky said with a grin.
Mark snorted. “Well, you’re the one in charge around here. You’d better keep things under control.”
Every officer in the room paled. Nobody wanted the higher-ups to really start digging into things.
“Of course, of course,” Ricky agreed amiably before turning to Oliver. “Young man, you’d better have a damn good explanation for today.”
Oliver was utterly shocked. “The Moores are here because of Aubree’s subordinate? Since when does she have this much pull?”
He was still at a loss when someone else walked in.
“My daughter’s always been a bit unruly. Sorry for all the trouble. I’ll take her home now. Please…” Alice said.
The fake pleasantries died in her throat.
Alice stared, dumbfounded, at the scene before her. It was nothing like what she’d imagined.
Where was the broken, defeated Aubree she’d imagined whisking away with a mother’s righteous concern?
“What the hell is going on?” Alice blurted out.
Bryan, who’d come along with her, kept his cool. He realized things hadn’t gone their way again, but he never thought Bowen would act this fast.
He and Elizabeth had made a deal, but Elizabeth had also said that Oliver, being the Lawson family’s golden boy, couldn’t risk any scandals, at least not on the surface. So there was no way they’d actually lay a hand on Aubree.
The plan had been simple – break her spirit through confinement. That’s why they’d arrived so late.
“Who are you?” The question cut through the room.
Every head snapped in her direction. These were all the real big shots. Alice felt her knees almost buckle.
“I… I’m Aubree’s mom,” Alice managed, her voice trembling.
“Mom? You’re her mom? You look downright pleased to see your daughter suffering. And now that she’s unharmed, you seem… disappointed?” Michael never cared for all the twisted games of the rich and powerful.
Alice was completely at a loss for words.
“Someone like you doesn’t even deserve to be called a mother!” Michael had always been blunt, and he didn’t hold back at all when it came to Alice.
Aubree laughed. “You’re absolutely right, Michael. She doesn’t deserve to be called my mom. She’s just a faker trying to stir up drama.”
Bryan took Alice by the arm. “We are family. Of course, we’re relieved she’s safe. Aubree, since you’re okay, Alice and I will head out now. Aubree, if you ever want to come home, just call.”
Seeing the situation wasn’t in their favor, Bryan was about to leave.
No one tried to stop them.
Right at that moment, another sudden commotion broke out outside.
The newcomers brushed right past Bryan and Alice as they were leaving.
“Where’s the Lawson family? This is outrageous!”
“Arresting someone without evidence? Who the hell do you think you are?”
The police officers went pale. ‘All we did was arrest a businesswoman. How did this blow up so much that even the national research institute is getting involved?’
Aubree’s eyes curved into a playful smile. “Now these are my connections.”
Bowen was amused by her cheeky confidence. “Impressive.”
‘Can the Lawson family really get me out of this unscathed?’ Oliver couldn’t help but wonder to himself.
Unbeknownst to many, Aubree had been quietly redirecting funds into cutting-edge research, with substantial investments in the national institute.
Those folks at the institute might not have had any other tricks up their sleeves, but with the government at their back, nobody dared mess with them.
Mark grinned, clearly amused. “Bowen, your girlfriend’s got some real tricks up her sleeve. She’s every bit as slick as you were back in the day. Honestly, even if we hadn’t shown up, she would’ve handled it all on her own.”
Bowen couldn’t help but feel proud. “She’s more impressive than I ever was.”