Chapter 144: Chapter 144

A few hours later, Shelby found herself in front of the T-Vino Island Local Police Station against her better judgment.

The morning had been as chaotic as could be, at least from her point of view. The idea of the visit to the police station had been a spontaneous and spur-of-the-moment kind of situation.

Of course, in reality, that was the last place she wanted to be.

Even with all those, she still found herself there because, ironically, she felt a sense of responsibility to do at least just that.

She smoothened her pleated skirt and its overcoat. Shelby silently thanked Ian for the few additions to her wardrobe.

If not for those, how could she afford to step out of the estate confidently like she did?

Albert opened her door for her as Shelby rightened herself and looked up at the towering building.

It was broad daylight, but Shelby had a foreboding feeling as she stared up at the building and the uniformed men streaming in and out of the place.

To the side, she could see a few people milling around with mini recording devices, indicating that they were with the Press.

It wasn’t surprising that they were there, though, but she still did not want to be surrounded by them as the press usually would. Even though they had a clear view of the building, Albert had stopped a little to the side, so no one had spotted her yet. She was known throughout the island, at least from the pictures of her wedding day that the Thornston’s had released.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Miss Shelby?"

Albert asked yet again. Shelby could not count the number of times the older man had asked that question throughout the ride.

Albert’s professional stance remained even as a slight worry marred his features.

As Shelby started towards the place, Albert dialled a number quickly.

"Erm sir, the Miss - "

He had barely finished his statement when the brusque reply came over. The line disconnected almost immediately. Albert nodded slightly and hurried after Shelby as she neared the entrance. He was already used to such curt responses from his boss.

’If the boss was already aware, then I can let my worries rest.’ Albert thought and then asked himself, "What could possibly happen to her in a room full of policemen? Haha..."

Shelby kept her head down just as she entered. However, was that enough to ever keep people’s gaze off of her? Never!

"Jeez! I am getting goosebumps just from looking at her!"

Two female reporters whispered to each other, their eyes never leaving Shelby as she approached them.

"Hey, what do you think of the young lady approaching? Huh?"

After getting no response from their male colleague who handled the cameras for them, the two ladies turned to see a startling scene. The guy’s eyes were opened wide to near impossible levels, not blinking, his mouth also slightly hung open with drool seeping out. This male colleague was one who never bothered with women and was very professional. That was the first time, that any of the two had seen him that way.

One of the women, waved her hand in front on him, trying to get his attention.

"The girl’s beauty is too strange and unworldly. What is she?!"

One blocked the guy’s view while the other pinched him hard!

"What is wrong with you?"

"What! What did I do?"

"Check out all that drool!"

He panicked and quickly wiped it, but then, at the same time, his attention had been hooked. He tried to look around at the one blocking his view.

"Who is that girl? I need to get her number!"

"By all means, go ahead!"

Just as he started to get up, the second lady added, "Doesn’t she look like the new bride of the Thornstons?"

He stilled in his movements just as Shelby disappeared into the automatic doors and into the police station.

"Sh-e is? OMG! I nearly committed an abomination! I-Ian Thornstons’ wife? My heart nearly jumped out of my chest!" He sagged onto the ground.

Even as he said this, the three were quite shaken from what they saw as the most unusual presence that they had ever seen.

Apart from these three, the rest of the people around were not in any better shape. Albert followed closely behind, but he had learnt how to be around his mistress; his eyes were glued to her shoes, and his head remained bowed at all times. He noticed that he could function as himself if he never looked directly into her face.

Shelby turned and gravitated towards the voice that had called out to her.

However, the whole open-floored station was plunged into a silent mode as if someone had hit the silence button.

Shelby was so used to such settings.

’There is no one here but me. No one is looking at me. Just forget all about them!’ She chanted in her head as she tried to pretend like none of the uniformed men were trying to undress her with their eyes.

They did not have to voice their thoughts for her to know that they all wanted one thing from her even though they knew nothing of her.

"Yes, what brings you here, Mrs Thornston?"

Like Albert, Detective Leon had also figured out a way to remain sane when Shelby was in proximity to him: avoid looking straight at her! Her eyes were the most dangerous part and most people had not figured out that yet.

For Leon, he also wanted no problem with Ian and that was why he had called Shelby that. It was also like a hint to his colleagues. He was right because that did that trick!

The one nearest to Shelby physically held both of his cheeks and turned his face away from her. A few of them turned away and left the room to keep themselves from ogling.

Ignoring them, Shelby asked, "I wanted to talk to my father. Is it possible for me to do that?"

Leon answered almost immediately. One, that was because he wanted Shelby away from him and two, he dared not decline this request from Mrs Thornston!

"Of course! As I told your brother, we had been about to transfer him, but we can spare a few more minutes for you. You know, your brother just left here a few minutes ago, and your mother-"

Shelby whipped her head around as if looking for him. "I’ll give him a call later. Did you say that Mum was here too?"

"Is this some sort of family reunion for them?" A voice said from the uniformed men and women.

"The son comes, the father goes berserk from drugs, the mother also goes hysterical and now this?"

Shelby hung her head, and Leon threw a deadly gaze at whoever had spoken.

"I’m sorry to trouble you, detective,"

"No, need to apologize Mrs Thornston, ... just-"

Leon was not able to finish his statement when a hysterical Clara rushed at Shelby.

"You dare come here?! Huh? Where is your all-so-good-and-protective-husband?" She screamed out at her daughter, her face stained with tears. Clara looked miserable, but apart from her expression, her clothes and hair were impeccable and the top of the season as well.

A little earlier, to say that Ian’s interception of their call had taken her aback would be an understatement. Ian’s voice and slight warning had frightened Clara in ways that she had never expected to feel from a younger man who had not even been in the same room as her at that time.

Clara had sat stupefied after that call. Then Clara had thrashed up everything in her room yet again, screaming out loud until she vented most of the frustration out of her system. With a trembling body, Clara had dressed up and decided to visit her husband instead. Ian’s threats were still very fresh in her mind then, so seeing Shelby there in person, Clara somehow lost herself yet again.

"You ungrateful daughter! How could I have given birth to such a person?! How!"

Clara landed heavy hits on her daughter while she screamed.

Leon was at a loss for what to do, but some female officers rushed in to try to get Clara off her daughter; however, just then, a cold voice rang out. The person did not raise his voice or say any offensive words. It was just: "Touch one hair off of her, and you will live to regret it."

The arm that Clara had raised up high froze, and the blood drained off her face. She turned, looking for the owner of the voice, but only saw Albert with his phone in his hands. Ian’s voice had been from the loudspeaker of Albert’s phone.

Albert wiped his face with his handkerchief and then pocketed his phone.

Clara dropped her hand limply to the amazement of all around. She staggered back and one female officer supported her.

"Are you okay Mrs Thornston?"

Shelby smiled, "Yes, I am. I am sorry for the family issues we have brought out here to inconvenience you."

"Not at all! It’s okay."

Leon ushered Shelby and Clara, surprisingly, into James’ temporary holding room. It didn’t take long for both of them to step out. Shelby was indifferent, but Clara was even more devastated than when she had gone in.

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