After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 69

**Clocks Lie To Hearts**
**by Asa River Flint**
**Chapter 69**

Flora took a deep breath, her voice steady yet laced with concern. “After your fever finally broke just as dawn was breaking, Teddy reached out to Sadie. He asked her to come and let you in. Since I was staying at Sadie’s place last night, we both came up together.”

Louisa’s eyes darted around the room, searching for her friend. “Where’s Sadie now?” she inquired, a hint of worry creeping into her tone.

Flora regarded her with an expression that was part pity, part disbelief. “You really don’t remember anything from last night, do you? You sent George, Hazel, and Vivian to the detention center. Their families’ lawyers will undoubtedly be scrambling to bail them out, so Sadie left early to take care of that.”

A surge of anger coursed through Louisa. “Those bastards—how dare they do this to you! We’re not letting them get away with it. They deserve to rot in jail!” The fire in her voice was unmistakable, a fierce protective instinct flaring up within her.

Meanwhile, at the police station, George sat at a table, staring blankly at six photographs laid out before him. Each image depicted one of the six individuals who had assaulted Louisa two nights prior—five men and a female server, all bearing shifty, rat-like features that made George’s stomach churn.

He shut his eyes tightly, as if by doing so he could block out the horror of what had almost happened to Louisa. How could anyone do such a thing? The thought of her feeling desperate and broken that night twisted like a knife in his gut.

“Your wife stated that the female server injected her with anesthesia first, then dragged her into a room where she lost consciousness,” the officer said, his tone clinical.

“When she regained consciousness, she found that she had been injected with another drug and discovered poison placed beside her. Though disoriented, she managed to call you for help. Your mistress, Vivian Price, answered that call.”

“Vivian claimed that you two conspired to harm your wife. Your wife has a recording as evidence. Would you like to hear it?”

The officer pressed play, and George’s heart sank. He had already endured the venomous words at the gala, and hearing them again felt like a fresh wound. Each syllable pierced him, a reminder of the betrayal and pain. He turned away, tears streaming down his face despite his attempts to hold them back.

The officer, seasoned in dealing with criminals, regarded George with a mixture of skepticism and contempt. “Tell us why you conspired with your mistress to harm your wife.”

“I didn’t,” George replied, his voice low and filled with anguish. Unlike others who might shout their innocence, he simply shook his head, the weight of despair heavy on his shoulders. “My wife and I have been together since college. We married right after graduation, and our love has always been deep and genuine. Even when I succumbed to temptation and had an affair, my heart never strayed from her. I would never do this to Louisa—I couldn’t bear it.”

His voice trembled, thick with emotion, as he fought against the tide of despair threatening to drown him.

“We’ve already looked into that aspect and confirmed your account,” the officer continued, his tone slightly softer but still probing. “However, our investigation has revealed that your company, the Capulet Group, is involved in a collaborative project with the Price family’s Price Group.

“This project is in crisis, and the only apparent solution seems to be a marriage alliance between the families. Isn’t that correct?”

George nodded solemnly. “That’s true, but I refused. I told both Caden and my mother that I would not divorce Louisa or agree to such an arrangement.”

The officer seemed to accept this part of George’s story. Their investigation had shown him to be a man of principle, one who had built the Capulet Group without ever being coerced into decisions. In this regard, his integrity was intact.

Despite having already faced this betrayal at the gala, a fresh wave of rage swept through Hazel. She had never imagined that a daughter of the Price family, who appeared so obedient and respectful, could harbor such malice.

She had once thought Vivian would make a fine daughter-in-law, and now she found herself regretting that notion bitterly, wishing she could tear Vivian apart with her bare hands. How could someone like her ever be worthy of the Capulet family? Vivian would never marry into the Capulet family—not in this lifetime!

The female officer listened to Hazel’s furious tirade with a sense of inward contempt. You criticize your carefully chosen daughter-in-law, but how well did you treat your actual daughter-in-law? Now both mother and son found themselves in detention, still clinging to the belief that their family name was noble. What kind, intelligent person would willingly join such a family?

After the interrogations came to a close, lawyers from both the Capulet Group and the Price Group arrived, accompanied by the entire Price family, all intent on securing the release of the three detainees.

Sadie had anticipated this turn of events. She had arrived at the police station early, ready to engage with both legal teams.

She had also submitted evidence of Hazel and Vivian’s crimes to the police, making it clear that the victim intended to pursue the case to its fullest extent.

However, she found herself facing two powerful legal teams now working in unison. Even with solid evidence in hand, she felt somewhat overwhelmed by the weight of the situation.

During a much-needed break, she called Louisa, her mind racing with thoughts of how to navigate the impending storm.