Chapter 505 An Encounter At The Prison
Over the past few days, the gloomy feeling in the Fu Family's home had lifted when Paul and Aden were taken into custody of the police.
Kevin was going on a business trip and felt a sense of relief when he left.
Selma also felt that she no longer had to worry incessantly.
She was the most joyful at this new happiness in the family. She just didn't believe this family deserved any more trouble after everything they had been through.
Finally, the whole family could get on with their wonderful life.
Just as things were settling in, Anne received a call from the prison. It turned out that Paul and Aden had made a request that she visit them.
Selma was within earshot when Anne answered the call. Selma blurted out in anger, "Those two damned men can't even keep to themselves when they're in prison. The nerve of them!
Anne, don't go see them. They don't even have access to the internet in there. No matter what they try, they cannot become a threat to us."
Due to the Fu Family being potential victims of these men, the police had Paul and Aden under high security. The two men had completely lost any ability to contact the outside world or find a way to continue threatening Selma.
After a silent moment of thought, Anne shook her head and said, "I will go. I don't know what trouble they are planning."
Frowning, Selma nodded slightly and said, "Then I'll go with you."
Anne smiled. "It's fine. You don't have to worry. There will be a heavy police presence. Nothing can go wrong. Besides, the children will be at home and I'll need you to take care of them." Selma hesitated, looking as though she would object, but then she nodded.
Then Anne grabbed her bag and made her way to the police station.
It never crossed her mind that she would run into Andrew, especially here of all places. He was disguised in many garments but she had met him several times before and recognized him easily.
Recently, Andrew had grown to become the most famous and renowned male star in the entertainment circle. His injury had attracted national attention. He was able to walk now so it was apparent he was on the road to recovery.
Andrew was surprised to see Anne. He nonetheless nodded in greeting, with a smile on his face.
Anne returned a courteous nod and the two walked into the place. The person Andrew had come to see was Alan.
It was only then that it occurred to Anne that Alan was still detained in this police station as well.
When Alan was brought out, his eyes fell on Anne. He raised his eyebrows and gave her a meaningful smile.
Frowning uncomfortably, Anne lowered her head. This was the first time she had seen Alan since he had made his return to the country. She had spent many hours imagining what scenario they would meet each other in but she had never even once imagined this as a possibility.
His mouth twisted in a contemptuous sneer. Anne didn't look at him. She did not intend of having and interaction with him, whatsoever.
Alan had anticipated that Andrew would come to see him. He was not surprised by his visit in the least bit. He sat opposite Andrew and looked him up and down.
His eyes were fiery with undisguised aggression
Andrew shuffled around awkwardly in his chair. He frowned and said, "You almost took my life."
He had been seriously injured and comatose for several days. If Cherry's words had not given him the will to awaken, he would have been in a vegetative state for the rest of his days. Alan nodded slightly and asked casually, "So what?"
Anger bubbled up in Andrew's heart. He looked like a complete mess. He had almost become a vegetable because of this man yet he did not seem to give shit about what he had done!
How dared Alan not care more about the results of his actions?
"Andrew, even if you had become a vegetable, it would not be my fault. Didn't I tell you not to entangle yourself in the conflict between Cherry and me? At that time, I was thinking about your future and well- being. I also believed there was no need for an innocent person to become involved in these affairs. But what did you do?" Alan leaned back on his chair and crossed his arms on his chest. His facial expression was ridiculing Andrew. "You have a great career ahead of you and you will definitely continue on your great trajectory in the future. So why did you put yourself in such a mess for that bitch? Did you really think you could keep a clean reputation in the entertainment world after getting involved with her?
Yes, Cherry is masterful in the art of disguise, but her true identity will be exposed, sooner or later. As her boyfriend, you will naturally be implicated and cast in the same light."
Moreover, Andrew had sustained a serious injury in order to protect Cherry. Even if he could heal from what had happened, he would have to deal with the long-term effects of the injury.
All color drained from Andrew's face and he scowled. He knew that Alan was telling the truth. This was exactly why he had wanted to distance himself from Cherry!
But at the current juncture, he really could not afford to distance himself!
He had heroically injured himself in order to protect Cherry. This was the basis on which the national media had been drawn to his story and why he had managed to gain so many more female fans. If he now decided to break up with her, what would the impression be? What angle would the press take in reporting it?
He had worked so hard for fame. He was not going to throw it all away now that he had finally achieved it!
Nevertheless, he knew that Alan was completely right. It was inevitable that Cherry's true identity would be uncovered at some point. He needed to be out of the picture when that happened! "Do you have any idea of what would be the best thing to do?" Andrew looked up, desperate expectation written across his face.
Alan smirked, rising to his feet slowly. He looked down at Andrew, and said harshly, "If you have half a brain, you should know you have to get out of this situation as soon as possible. Break up with Cherry. Make it a clean break so that you won't be tarnished by anything to do with her. Initially, your fans won't understand but in time, when her identity is revealed, they won't judge you anymore. You will have the opportunity to win them over anew."
After finishing his piece of advice, Alan left, leaving Andrew alone with his thoughts.
Andrew looked down, defeated by the situation for a moment. He then looked at the departing Alan and sighed heavily before leaving the room.
Anne was sitting in the waiting room. Seeing her still here, Andrew frowned in confusion.
After discovering Cherry's true identity, Andrew did some investigation and understood the grudge between Anne and her.
He had to admit that Anne had really come out as the winner between the two of them. Although she had to withstand difficult trials, she came out victorious. She came out with the love of her life, children, wealth and a status that ordinary people couldn't reach. Cherry, on the other hand, was a complete failure.
Andrew took a seat next to Anne. The woman raised her eyebrows and looked at him.
When their eyes met, Andrew hesitated in saying anything.
With a kind smile, Anne said, "If you want to say something, please go ahead."
Andrew breathed a sigh of relief at her amiable demeanor. He told her everything. Anne was in the know so he was not afraid that the secret would be leaked further.
Anne sat quietly, letting Andrew tell his story without interruption, a look of rapt attention on her face.
Anne had doubted the veracity of Andrew and Cherry's relationship from the get go. She really doubted they had fallen in love. Well, she did not think it was a true connection. She was well aware of how the entertainment world worked. Many relationships were mere arrangements for publicity. A lot was not as it seemed and things could never be taken on face value in this industry.
"I'm just a regular person. I want to do my job well, giving the best performances possible for the loyal audiences. Apart from that, I have no desire to entangle myself in this conflict. But now I have inadvertently placed myself in the middle of all of this. How do I get out of this mess?" Andrew's handsome face was darkened by confusion and anguish at his loss for a solution. "Now I have finally gained the fame I've been seeking for so long. I might lose fans over this whole thing. What should I do?"
Hearing that, Anne sighed. She knew all too well what Andrew was worried about and knew that it was indeed a legitimate concern.
Anne had never thought Andrew would talk to her about such deep things that affected his life. After all, it wasn't as if they had ever been close friends. To be honest, they barely knew each other. But he was a young man, still wet behind the ears, who was concerned about his future. If she could help and offer a word of advice, she felt it was her duty to do so.
"You know, Alan has not always been this vindictive person his entire life. It was only when he decided to take revenge on Cherry that this side of him emerged. Since he advised you and told you so much, it's clear that he still has a conscience. He doesn't want you to be involved in this drama unnecessarily. I think you ought to give his suggestions due consideration," advised Anne sincerely, after a moment of careful consideration.
Andrew frowned, deep in thought, and nodded unconsciously. He walked out of the police station, absentmindedly. Looking at Andrew's departing frame, Anne breathed out heavily. Finally, Anne had her chance to see Aden.
Aden raised his head as Anne walked in. He was sitting on a chair on the opposite end of the interrogation room. He gave Anne a frigid look and she scowled back at him. The last time Anne had seen Aden, he had abandoned Peter and her in that horrid cave.
"Why did you request to see me?" There was a slight chill to her voice as she got straight to the point without any niceties.
She felt nothing but disgust for Aden and Paul.
Looking straight at her, Aden raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Mrs. Anne, there's no need to be so rude. We might not get along but we still have known each other for a long time."
Anne's eyes narrowed. She was not willing to say anything more. If the man who had once almost murdered her was to be considered an old friend, she would be damned.
Anne's silence caused a slight change in Aden's expression. He sneered and said, "Selma took some racy photos of you and Ryan. Although Kevin managed to save your reputation by taking advantage of Rose's resemblance to you, we still have a copy of the tape. If this recording somehow gets released, what do you think that will do to the Fu Family's name in the eyes of the public?
In order to get rid of a daughter-in-law who she despised, Selma was willing for it to come across as you cheating on her son,"
Aden jeered, before adding, "That actually is a good topic for discussion, I think."
With an uninterested snort, Anne said, 'Aden, you aren't the only person who can blackmail. Let me make it clear, if you want to release the footage, go ahead. But I can guarantee, you and Paul will be dead soon.
Up until this point, you are still in the general detention house, and haven't been transferred to the main prison. It's not because we don't have the evidence to commit you of the crime, but because we just wan to keep our privacy guarded and carry on with our lives without you. But if you threaten us, we will show no mercy.
My reputation has been slighted time and time again. So don't think one more insult to it will affect me so greatly. But, you know what, I think it's a good idea to ensure the two of you lose your lives." Anne got to her feet and looked at Aden dead in his pale face. "Do you really think I came here without considering what you were going to say? I already guessed this is what you wanted. I come here fully prepared. Aden, consider your situation carefully and discuss it with Paul. Do you want to stay incarcerated in this place for just a few years more or would you prefer to just be killed instead? Make your decision and let me know. Whatever you decide, I am more than ready to deal with you."
Without further ado, Anne turned and left.
Back then, Kevin had been affected deeply by what had happened. He immediately put people on the case to locate Aden and Paul. Although he didn't catch them, he managed to collect sufficient evidence to convict them of the crimes they had committed. With that proof, it would be certain that the two of them would be sentenced to death.
So now they had a choice: to save their lives or to ruin Anne's reputation. Whatever they picked, Anne would definitely come out the victor. Plus, if they had any brains, they would know which was the right choice.
Looking as Anne's back as she left, Aden clenched his fists tightly at his sides. He breathed a helpless sigh, eventually. He really had thought this would have worked. He did not expect it to end this way! After returning to his cell, he shrugged and shook his head at Paul. Paul's face went pale and he lowered his head in defeat. It seemed that they did not have a chance to leave this place.
He had thought that he would make a fortune if he decided to return to the city. He did not expect his life to turn out this way. If he could reverse time, he would have never come back to the city in the first place.