Chapter 183: Chapter 183

Maybe those last words from Presque should have been flagged in Clara’s mind. Perhaps she was still in that satiated mood after a well-experienced sexual session and multiple orgasms.

Her sexual life with James was vibrant but what she had experienced with Presque was on a different level. It may have been because of the sexual enhancing drug he took. Whatever the case, Clara missed all the subtle warnings and tell-tale signs until the next morning gave her a rude awakening. By then, it was too late.

She slept like a baby and woke up early. That morning, Clara, Rocky, and their defence lawyer were in the courthouse representing the Wendovers.

"Where is that wretch of a sister of yours? Won’t she be here to support her father?"

"James Wendover is not Shelby’s dad, and she has no obligation to be here for his crimes!" Rocky snapped, his mood getting the better of him. Clara flinched.

"Rockwell Wendover! How dare you talk to your mother this way!"

Rocky did not even look at her and then continued to get himself a seat. He was disgusted with his mother in every way.

’Look at her all dressed high and mighty as if here to support her husband when she had done the unforgivable with another man yesterday.’

Clara was wearing a prim and proper skirt suit in dark colours, making almost everyone feel sorry for her because she had to go through such an ordeal because of her husband. Gold ear studs graced her ears, and a similar necklace hung on her pretty neck. She had a small black hat perched on her hair, and lace covered half her face.

Everyone agreed that she was the definition of a prim and proper housewife in the eyes of all.

Rocky looked straight ahead and refused to even look at his mother. Clara harrumphed and then took a seat just as Presque walked in with his small team. Clara smiled at him openly, but he did not mind her.

’Is this woman stupid or what? Why would she smile at the prosecution?’

The courthouse was packed, and many people saw this interaction. Detective Leon was among the people who saw this.

"This woman is that dumb? Why would she be smiling widely at the man who is about to put her husband away, possibly for life?"

From then on, Clara had no idea how the proceedings went. Her husband was ushered in cuffs. James looked miserable to the highest level, and Clara bit her lips. Her eyes were on him throughout the trial. However, James never once gave her a glance. He was not himself to begin with. Without his daily dose of drugs, one could imagine what had become of him.

".... From all this, the defendant is found GUILTY of all crime. One count of ...."

"WHAT!" Clara shouted all at once.

"But ... this... what is happening?"

Clara’s shock was so great that she missed everything that was said. Rocky ushered her out of the courthouse.

"I’m sorry, Rockwell. There really isn’t much I could have done but I hope that you will transfer the rest of my money to me...."

"WHAT DID YOU DO THAT YOU DEMAND MONEY FOR! Tell me! My husband is being sent away for life! EXACTLY WHAT DID YOU DO!" Clara shouted only to keep mute from Rocky’s glare.

’When did my son become so fierce?’

"You will get it as we discussed. I’ll talk to my brother-in-law and get back to you," Rocky replied to the older man. Although the lawyer was right in his demands, Rocky also felt it was inappropriate for him to ask for his money then. Rocky had initially transferred the first half of his money as requested, but this...?

"BROTHER-IN-LAW? Where was he when we needed him?" Clara scorned. The desperation and anger in her voice was apparent. For once, dear Clara had lost all reason for decorum. The people gathered around looked on with pity. However, only Clara and perhaps Shelby would understand where Clara’s apprehension was coming from. She had been pushed into the same or similar situation as when her first husband had died.

’No! I can’t get into that situation again! Oh no, no, no!’

Rocky looked at his mum with a sorrowful look that spoke volumes. He felt helpless. Rocky was unsure what he felt in regard to his father’s incarceration.

He had talked at length with Ava on this. At that moment, it seemed like Ava was the only person he could freely talk to. Rocky did not want to burden his sister; his friends would not understand, and his mother was as good as both useless and disappointing!

’Isn’t it better that James is not here? At least Sis would be okay, and she would not have to face such a brute!’

Rocky turned and walked away from his mother, leaving Clara standing there in her miserable state as James was ushered away to a prison van.

A lone tear ran down his cheeks, and he quickened his pace to get out of there.

It was very obvious that James had been made a scapegoat in all this from the prosecution’s point of view. They wanted to use him as a deterrent yardstick for all who wanted to indulge in drugs because of the way the Island frowned on it. In addition, the evidence was too conclusive, and nothing could have been done to save him from this. With Ian in the picture, even if there was anything to be done, no one dared to do so.

Detective Leon’s keen eyes did not miss a beat as reporters surrounded him, asking him all sorts of questions. To them, he was the hero of the hour—the one person who had helped them and their whole society get rid of the dreaded drug Lord.

"He got rid of the Boss!"

"We need more detectives on our Island, and we’ll all feel safer!"

A group of old women gathered not far from the reporters, gossiping and cheering.

"I don’t think that the son turned out like the dad, though. He looked too innocent!"

"Yh, and you think that you can tell a person’s mind just by looking at his face? Tsk, Tsk!"

Clara lowered her head, shielding herself from the flashing lights and the talks around her. Such a famous case had never before been seen on the island, and it was estimated that it would go on for days on end, if not weeks.

She walked back into the courthouse and entered the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Clara wept. She wept like she had never done before. Silent tears that would have shocked anyone to the core had they seen it. However, her tears were not necessarily because her husband had been jailed; it was the aftermath!

The fear of what was yet to come. All of James assets still remained frozen as they deemed drug-related money. It turned out that even his business was a cover. He was excellent at his media editing work, but he never actively pursued that as his means of livelihood, unfortunately.

After an unknown amount of time had passed, Clara came out, touched on her makeup and then stormed out of the bathroom.

Since the courthouse was not far from Presque’s office, she was there within five minutes of leaving the courthouse.

Whispers flowed around her when she entered the Prosecutor’s office, but Clara was too furious to care or even comprehend what they were talking about.

The same male receptionist was there but this time, Clara as in no mood for pleasantries and brushed past the man.

"Excuse-me ma’am, you can’t just-"

Clara had already pushed the office door open by the time the male secretary rounded his desk. His words were left unspoken.

"Well, it is not my issue now...."

He said to himself. Then, he went back to his desk.

"That woman is really pitiful!" he said to himself.

"I wonder why she is here. I would be too ashamed if I were her!" A colleague that he had not noticed replied.

"Did you see that yet?"

Their conversation continued as Clara confronted Presque furiously.

"What is the meaning of this? We had a deal!" Clara shouted, trembling with anger.

"... and what of it?"

"What did you say?" Clara demanded. Presque’s indifference was irking her by the second. The man was very different from his whole demeanour the night before, making Clara even more confused.

"A deal is a deal, Mr Prosecutor!"

"Of course you are right!"

"Then why is my husband going to jail with the maximum sentence?"

"We had consensual sex as adults and then I paid you by buying a dress costing a million. That was overly generous of me, too. So, what else were you expecting?"

"You did what?" Clara screamed as tears stung her eyes.

"I said, ’I’ll see what I can do’ in your husband’s case. I couldn’t do anything so; it is what it is." Presque shrugged indifferently.

"Now, if you are done, Mrs Wendover, please see yourself out!"

"W-what are you talking about?"

"Might I remind you that you took the initiative to undress yourself! You took the initiative to open your legs out on my office couch, you fingered yourself, you brought yourself to me.... Do you want me to continue?"

"What are you talking about?" This time, Clara’s voice was a mere whisper as she was shocked beyond reason. She had no idea that was even the beginning of her nightmare.

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