Chapter 473 I Will Not Change My Mind
Given how sharp-witted Michael was, there was no way he could not understand the meaning of my words. His eyes were blazing as he waited for my response.
“This is the last time, I promise. After this matter gets resolved, I will never get involved in anything about them. Just help me one last time, Michael.”
On one end, I knew Michael was concerned about me, but on the other, I was not able to betray Steven. He was, after all, my younger brother, and it would surely break my heart to send him to jail.
“Anna, do you know your biggest problem is that you’re too softhearted? They’re doing this because they’ve seen through you! Are you really going to let the real culprit off the hook? The person he has hurt is my mom!”
A terrifying expression was all that remained on his face. It was plain easy to tell that he was trying his best to suppress the raging storm within him as his face turned increasingly forbidding.
A shiver ran down my spine when I heard his last sentence. At that instance, I realized I had only thought of myself and forgotten how the victim was Michael’s mother. That sudden revelation made me recognize how he must be eager to find the truth and the culprit’s identity more than anyone else.
I lowered my head slightly, knowing well how my request was a little way too overboard. Nonetheless, I had no other choice since there was no way I could watch Steven go to jail.
“You really can’t help me this time? I promise that nothing like this incident will happen again in the future.” I looked at Michael with determination and popped the same request again.
“Anna!”
The flames of anger burned in his eyes as he was that close to blowing his top off. While the man was utterly furious, I was full of indignance. Given there were other choices, I would not have wanted things to get to where it was.
“This will be the last time! Anna, I hope you’ll treat them as strangers the next time they appear before your eyes. It’s not that I want to turn you into a heartless creature. I only want you to learn how to protect yourself. They’ll never be thankful and appreciative of what you’ve done for them.”
Eventually, Michael still chose to give in to me. Undoubtedly, the immense anger and indignity were bothering him, yet, he was willing to do that because he could not bear to watch me plead.
“I got it. It’ll be the last time, I promise.” I looked into his eyes and nodded my head in earnest.
Indeed, I refused to go through the same situation again after experiencing such pressure. I have to live for myself and my loved ones.
“I probably won’t be able to take you with me today. But trust me, I’ll think of a solution so that you won’t go to jail,” Michael flatly said after shooting a glance at me.
I knew he was frustrated for not being able to bring me with him to leave this place.
Nevertheless, I did not blame him at all. I was confident Lincoln was the culprit for my current plight, and his motive was to force me to take my leave from Michael’s side. Since that was so, it was impossible he would let me leave the station that easily. The only exception was unless I agreed to his terms.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll take good care of myself.” I forced a smile on my face as I answered.
No matter who it was, no one would feel emotionless about someone getting detained in the police station. That was the same for Michael. Besides the tremendous pressure mounting on him, he still had to stress himself out for me. That was why I did not want to add more worries for him.
The line forming between his brows had revealed his reluctance to leave. I was upset to bid him goodbye, but I understood that many matters were waiting for him to complete.
“I’ll take care of myself. Go settle your work. I’m sure there are lots of work waiting for you to settle.” Seeing how he fixed his gaze on me without uttering a word, I reminded him in a low voice.
“Wait for me here. Give me two days; I promise I’ll get you out of this place!” Michael reached out to grab my hands tightly as he told me those determination-filled words.
I solely replied with a nod. I knew he would keep to his words as he would not bear to see me suffering in pain all by myself.
He gave me a last glance before he stood up and left.
As I watched him walk further away from me, tears welled up in my eyes uncontrollably. There seemed to be a surge of mixed emotions inside me—it felt suffocating and terrible.
Time crawled so slowly while I was locked up in the police station. Every second spent inside was excruciating torture, and my mind was constantly thinking about Michael.
The time limit Lincoln had given me would be due in no time. I was clear about my decision, but at the same time, I was worried he would mercilessly send me to jail.
After all, it was no doubt anyone would be unintimidated by the mere thought of imprisonment.
In the afternoon the next day, Lincoln came to look for me. The expression on his face was dour, and his gazes had not an ounce of warmth. Like before, we sat face to face with each other.
“It’s been two days. Have you come to a decision yet?” That was the first thing he said upon meeting me. I reckoned he could not wait to make me leave.
“I’ve made it clear the last time; no matter what you do, I’ll never leave Michael,” I solemnly replied while retaining my composure.
That was indeed all that I hoped. Although I was unsure how ruthless Lincoln would be toward me for making that decision, I was firm that I wanted to lead a blissful life with my husband and child.
“Seems like you’re very stubborn, huh? Are you not afraid of going to jail? Do you think you’ll still be able to stay by Michael’s side if that really happens to you?” Lincoln scrunched his brows and threw daggers at me.
“No matter what the outcome is, my decision won’t change. I will stay by Michael and Amaury’s side!” I fixed my gazes on him and repeated my decision in resolute.
It was not that I was fearless of his threats, but I had high confidence in Michael. I believed that he would be able to find a solution to solve this matter.
“Well then, I guess there are no other choices. I didn’t want to be too harsh on you because you’ve, after all, given birth to the child of the Shaw family. But I have to do things the hard way since you’re adamant about going against me.” Lincoln’s face grew glacial after hearing my words.
Instead of uttering a response, I merely looked at him in his eyes unwaveringly. I would never change my stand regardless of whatever actions he would take.
Perhaps because he had sensed the resolution I had in me, he said nothing more and gestured to his lawyer standing behind. Upon receiving the order, the latter headed out of the room and returned with a police officer shortly after.
The officer tossed out a document, which resembled a confession statement, on the table before me and indifferently instructed, “Sign on it.”
My brows snapped together in concern. I figured signing on the papers was tantamount to an admission of charges. Hence, I had no intention of signing my name.
“It’s not too late to regret now.” It was as though Lincoln noticed my hesitation that his expression seemed to have softened a little.
