The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 393

The man didn't seem used to smiling. He gave her a polite nod of acknowledgment.

"Miss Evans."

"Did Liam send you, or was it Julian?" she asked.

The man didn't exude any hostility; in fact, he looked more like a bodyguard sent to protect her.

"It was Mr. Vance," he replied.

Her emotions instantly tangled into a complicated knot.

Was she more touched, or simply grateful?

Sitting in her car, she spaced out for a moment.

Gathering her thoughts, she pulled out her phone and dialed Julian's number.

The background noise on the other end was completely silent.

"Are you not at the exhibition today? It's really quiet over there."

Julian walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, standing tall as he held the phone, a hint of exhaustion in his eyes.

"It's the last day, so I skipped it. I'm just at the hotel."

She twirled a strand of hair around her finger, pausing for a few seconds before speaking.

"Why did you suddenly decide to have someone shadow me?"

"The competition is right around the corner. I don't want any accidents. This international event has a huge impact on the company."

His explanation was flawless and entirely professional.

Yet, her heart still skipped a beat.

But she didn't dare read too much into it.

If she overthought it, she'd just end up flattering herself.

"Caleb Preston asked to meet with me yesterday. That's why I'm out here today."

"I see."

She hesitated briefly.

"I didn't tell you yesterday because I didn't want you to worry. Mostly, I just wanted to handle it myself."

"I told you, you have absolute freedom with me. You don't have to report your every move."

A warm feeling spread through her chest.

"Thank you, Julian."

In her twenty-eight years of life, this was the first time she had ever experienced such unconditional support and care. It almost felt unreal.

It also made her slightly nervous.

Shaking off the sentimentality, she got back to the point.

"I hacked into Caleb's personal laptop and got evidence of his various criminal activities. In exchange for my silence, he gave me the proof that Claire was the one driving during the hit-and-run that killed my mother."

Keeping the business closed was bleeding them dry.

They had just arrived at their destination when Audrey's call came through.

Audrey was crying on the phone, screaming that Claire had been taken away.

Audrey had absolutely no idea that her own father had provided the critical evidence. She had been too busy basking in the smug satisfaction of the Lowell family officially announcing Adrian's divorce.

Meanwhile, Jocelyn's phone was blowing up with calls from Adrian.

She didn't answer a single one. She simply blocked his number.

When the police station called, however, she picked up.

"The suspect's family is requesting a meeting with you," the officer informed her.

She shot it down immediately.

"My lawyer will handle all communications on my behalf. And please pass a message to her family for me: I will not be signing any letters of forgiveness. I want the person responsible for that hit-and-run to face the full force of the law."

She already knew exactly what the Lowells were scheming.

She was leaving the rest to her legal team. She wasn't going to show her face.

Because she was completely sick of watching the Lowell family try to solve their problems by throwing cash at people.

The weekend arrived.

With the heavy burden finally lifted from her shoulders, Jocelyn enjoyed a rare, incredibly peaceful morning sleeping in.