After the Cold Marriage His Crazy Love (Iris and Julian) novel Chapter 372

His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife

Chapter 372 Arrested

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A wave of anger surged through her all at once. Her eyes stung with frustrated tears–he had really turned out like this. She snapped, “I can’t save him, and I’m not giving him money to run.”

With that, Zoe walked out of the house.

Sally panicked and rushed after her, grabbing her arm. “Zoe, he’s your brother. Are you really going to let him go to prison?”

“He’s an adult. He made his own choices. He can face the consequences.”

Suddenly, the wail of police sirens cut through the air.

Both Zoe and Sally instinctively glanced toward Brandon.

Zoe froze in disbelief.

Sally burst out angrily, “I told you not to bring anyone! But you had to—and of all people, Iris‘ brother. Look what you’ve done–you led the police right to us.”

She turned and bolted back inside, slamming the heavy metal door shut.

Brandon didn’t feel good about any of it. Seeing the look in Zoe’s eyes, he felt a kind of unease he’d never experienced before–a cold, sinking dread coming from a woman’s gaze.

Zoe let out a long, slow breath and gave a bitter laugh. “You called the cops?”

Brandon answered plainly, “I told Julian.”

“Same difference.” Zoe shook her head, then nodded quietly. After a pause, she sighed. “I don’t blame you. People who break the law deserve what they get. Maybe a few years in prison will straighten my brother out.”

The police cars pulled up just as Julian’s vehicle arrived.

Officers stepped out briskly, and before they could reach him, Brandon pointed toward the metal door.

Without wasting words, Julian and the police moved straight toward the house.

Brandon and Zoe stayed where they were, locked in a heavy, wordless stare.

Right then, Brandon knew–whatever slim hope was left between them was gone.

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15:24 Thu, Jun 25

Chapter 372 Arrested

He was the one who’d put Zoe’s brother behind bars.

A loud crash echoed as the door was forced open, but neither of them flinched.

When Arthur was led out in handcuffs, Zoe couldn’t help but look at him.

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He looked rough–his glasses were cracked, he seemed to have aged overnight, and his were wide with fear and panic.

eyes

Zoe turned away, her vision blurring.

Behind the officers came Simon, Sally, and Zoe’s aunt and uncle. All of them glared at Zoe and Brandon with pure resentment.

Harboring a fugitive wasn’t a minor offense. All four were placed under arrest.

Tears finally spilled over. Zoe kept her head down, slowly reaching out to clutch Brandon’s sleeve. “Besides my brother facing what he deserves… can you help my family?”

Brandon looked down at her trembling hand, then into her tear–filled eyes. His chest tightened.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he gently pried her fingers loose.

As the officers began loading everyone into the squad cars, Brandon walked over. “Officers, they weren’t hiding him. Arthur’s mother is the one who called me and gave me this address. I just passed the information to Julian.”

The officer glanced back at the four middle–aged people in the car. They looked ordinary, even helpless.

“All right, come down to the station and give a statement. If it checks out, we won’t press charges against them.”

“Thank you,” Brandon replied. “I’ll drive myself over.”

“Suit yourself.” The officers got into their cars and left.

Julian walked up to Brandon. “I owe you one.”

Brandon pressed his lips together and gave a slight nod. He understood, but his mood was clearly weighed down. He didn’t say anything else.

Julian got back into his car and followed the police.

Brandon approached Zoe. “Let me take you back to work first. I’ll go to the station later and clear things up for your family. Your parents, aunt, and uncle will be okay.”

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Chapter 372 Arrested

“Thanks,” Zoe said quietly. “I’ll just take the subway.”

He watched her turn to leave. It felt like a stone was sitting on his chest, making it hard to breathe.

For the first time, he wondered if he’d done the wrong thing.

Brandon hurried after her and caught her arm, his voice low. “Zoe, I…”

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Zoe went rigid. She stared straight ahead, her tone flat. “Don’t blame yourself. Don’t feel bad. You did the right thing. If I were in your position, I would’ve called the police without a second thought.”

“Then why…” Brandon trailed off.

Zoe gave a tired, hollow smile. “That’s still my brother–the one I grew up with. He hurt my best friend, broke the law, got arrested, and dragged my parents and relatives into it. Of course it hurts. I just need some time. It’s fine, really.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Brandon slowly released her arm.

Zoe kept walking. Her steps were slow and heavy, her back looking lonely–like a sunflower beaten down by wind and frost, wilted and drained of life.

Back at the office, Zoe drifted through the day in a daze, resting her head on her desk without really sleeping.

That afternoon, her mother called, crying.

Her parents, aunt, and uncle had been released without charges, but her brother was still in custody. He was definitely going to trial.

Through tears, Sally pleaded, “Zoe, how much do you have saved? Can you help pay for a lawyer for your brother? At least to try and reduce his sentence.”

Zoe lowered her head and sighed softly. After a pause, she replied, “Mom, isn’t Lily’s family pretty well–off? My brother’s basically part of their family now. They shouldn’t just abandon him.”

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