Chapter 261 The Scapegoat
Sebastian stood awkwardly at the doorstep with his hands full of food containers. He wanted nothing more than to dig a hole and bury himself in it.
“Mr. Hadley, we’ve finished packing the food.”
Nathaniel’s stern countenance was icy, and his jaw was stiff. “Right.”
Sebastian robotically placed all the food and arranged them before promptly excusing himself.
The room fell back into silence once the door was shut.
“Didn’t you say you were hungry? Come on out and eat.” Nathaniel directed his words at Christina, curled up in a ball.
She gingerly stuck her head out once she’d confirmed no one else was around. Her stomach grumbled even more at the sight of the table arrayed with her favorite delicacies.
Christina was positively famished. She’d lost her appetite since being down with the flu during the competition. Moreover, she’d blacked out for an entire day due to the incident after that. As such, it would have been almost two days since she’d last eaten.
Christina stuffed her mouth full of meat and gobbled it down, appearing to be sating her hunger instead of savoring the taste of the food.
“Darling, you should stop staring at me and dig in.” She paused mid-chew and cocked her head at Nathaniel.
Nathaniel had never left her side for the past few days and ate far less than she did.
“I’m not hungry. I’m fine watching you enjoy your food.” Nathaniel surveyed the food before him and contemplated whether or not it was enough for Christina.
Christina served him a piece of meat she’d bitten into. “Eating alone is so meaningless. The food tastes so much better when we’re eating together. Your presence even seemed to make my injuries more bearable.”
She winked at him impishly.
Christina felt energized after her meal with Nathaniel. She could even move freely as long as she didn’t accidentally prod her wounds.
The police called the following day, asking her to make a trip to the police station to confirm the suspect’s identity.
Nathaniel gently smoothed her hair, exuding a calming presence. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll accompany you.” His eyes darkened at the thought of the man who’d hurt Christina. If only I could dismember him and dispose of his body in the abyss.
The bloodthirstiness in his eyes was fleetingly replaced by a serene look on his chiseled face.
Christina looked at the ground and made a muffled sound of agreement. She failed to notice the subtle change in his expression.
As a victim, she still felt shaken just thinking of the a*sailant’s twisted features.
Nathaniel pulled her into his embrace while she was caught up in her thoughts. The side of her face rested against his sturdy chest, and she could feel his strong heartbeat that somehow managed to chase away all her fears.
Christina considered completing the necessary procedures to get discharged since she would be leaving the hospital either way.
Nathaniel initially disagreed. He believed she needed to rest for several more days. Since her work schedule was flexible, she didn’t need to be in a rush to return to work.
Christina held onto his arm and pouted. “I dislike the scent of the disinfectant and can’t get used to the bed here. Let me go home, please?”
She brushed her face against his arm pitifully. The hopefulness in her eyes was as if she believed he could pluck the stars from the sky as long as she said the word.
Nathaniel had no choice but to agree.
They made their way to the police station once Christina was discharged.
The police efficiently arranged for her to identify the suspect once they stated the reason for their visit.
They were led into a room divided into two sections by a large gla*s pane. The police bid Christina to point out the suspect freely as the gla*s was a one-way mirror. She would remain invisible from the other side.
Nathaniel stood beside Christina, his solid presence keeping her guard. Christina’s heart was in her throat as she lifted her gaze and immediately identified a man wearing a yellow jacket as the one who a*saulted her that night.
“Are you certain?” the police queried.
“It’s him,” Christina replied firmly.
When she’d been bludgeoned that night, she could still recall the final panicked look the man gave her before escaping.
The memory of it caused her head to ache. She turned to Nathaniel, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Can we leave?”
Christina was not timid, yet it was impossible to remain poised when facing someone who attempted to murder her.
The police gave them the green light. “Both of you are free to go.”
Christina pulled Nathaniel along with her and departed without a backward glance. The entire place was so grim and oppressive that she hoped never to step foot in there ever again.
“Please proceed to the hall to sign out before leaving.”
Just then, several police brought a woman into the hall as they were finalizing the procedures required before departing.
The woman’s hair was mussed up, and her thick makeup barely concealed the anxious look on her face. “What right do you have to arrest me? Do you have any idea who I am? Have you considered the consequences of simply apprehending the daughter of the city’s tycoon, Mr. Jenson?”
“Ms. Jenson, we are backed up by eyewitnesses and real evidence before issuing arrest warrants, including the complete history of all your transactions.” The policeman beside her issued glacially.
Holly began screaming uncontrollably as she was shoved into the building against her will. “Let me go! I want to hire a lawyer. This is unacceptable!”
Christina turned at the commotion and saw Holly being led away by the police. She whispered, “What crime did that woman commit that she needed to be sent here?”
i “She was the one that instigated the cyber-bullying that happened to you and is also guilty of protesting
and inflicting injury,” the police responded.
Christina was taken aback. We might have had differences during the competition, but it shouldn’t warrant her wanting me dead!
Women were undeniably terrifying when they set their minds to it.
Holly refused to enter the interrogation room no matter what. Just then, she caught a glimpse of Christina from the corner of her eye, and their eyes met across the hall. The air crackled with tension as she stared down Christina.
Holly had still been a promising designer then. Little had she foreseen the irony of becoming a criminal sentenced to prison while Christina was awarded on stage a week later.
Holly flew into a rage out of humiliation and lunged at Christina like a madman. “How shameless can you be for slandering me? If I truly wanted you dead, you would not be here now, filing a lawsuit against me!”
Before Christina could react, Nathaniel had already taken a protective stance in front of her as he gripped her hand tightly.
The warmth of his palm steadied her significantly.
Holly was held back by the civilian police and subdued before reaching Christina. They gave up being civil and carried her off straight away.
“Christina, you libeler! I never instructed anyone to harm you..” Holly’s screams echoed throughout the corridor.
Nathaniel’s face was stormy, and his dark eyes flashed with an indiscernible look. Nonetheless, he was as composed as ever when he turned to face Christina. “Are you all right?”
Christina nodded. She was confounded while seeking confirmation from the police once again. “Has the case been thoroughly investigated? Is it confirmed that Holly was the one behind it?”
