Sentenced to Marriage by MadlainQ novel Chapter 77

The recording

We decided to be cautious and check what was on that flash drive once everyone left the company. It was a little after 10 PM, and since we weren’t certain if the drive was password protected, Aren and Neil met us in our full of equipment computer office. We locked the doors after making sure that all the other employees were gone from that floor, and ceremoniously plugged the USB into my computer. I checked if the flash drive wasn’t infected before I opened its content, holding my breath. There was a single audio file on it. Aren, Norton, Alan, and Neil sat around me as I opened it. The recording started with some cracks and distorted sounds, which lasted about a minute. It felt discouraging. I skipped the record on fast-forward until finally, we heard two male voices. “The police want to reopen the case. Someone must have tipped them off,” the first man said in a low-pitched hoarse voice.

“What do you mean, someone?! It was your fucking job to make sure that no one ever digs in Liling’s case!” the second man roared.

I recognized that second voice, and so did Aren-the voice belonged to his father, James Winton. I stopped the recording and looked at my husband. His jaw was tense, his cold eyes locked firmly on the computer screen displaying the graphic wave of the recording. I placed my hand on top of his fisted palm. “Are you sure you don’t want to hear it alone first?” I asked him.

He took a deep breath.”No, let’s play it here and now.”

I looked at Alan, Norton, and Neil. They all sat still, as if the tension in the room restricted them from any movement. I turned the recorded file back on.

“I took care of the pathologist, so he will stay quiet. But there’s a rumor that someone ordered a second, independent report along with your dead wife’s toxicology,” the first man explained.

“How the hell did it happen, Richardson?! You assured me that none of your men would touch the case again, and now this?! What did I pay you for?!” James Winton thundered. “Watch it, Winton,” Richardson hissed. “I was paid for turning a blind eye to the fact that you murdered your wife, who wanted to leave you and take her money with her. And I don’t recall receiving the money from you. As I recall, it was a Chinese guy who carried the money, and I don’t assume that was a member of your family,” he said coldly.

A sound of frustration escaped James Winton’s throat. “I will pay you more…” he groaned angrily. “Just take care of that other pathology report.”

Richardson chuckled. “Consider it done.”

The recorded file ended soon after his words. As the player turned off, we stayed in silence for about a minute, processing what we had heard.

“Wow… now that’s some serious shit…” Alan was the first one to comment.

Neil sighed heavily, smirking at him. “Tell me about it.”

Norton glanced at me before silently going back to his desk to type something on his computer. Aren hid his face in his hands.

“Handsome, are you all right?” I asked softly, gently sliding my hand down his back

When he turned his eyes my way, a faint smile curved his lips. “I knew that this cold fucker murdered my mother, but I guess it’s different to hear him talk about it… I’ve been waiting many years for this moment.” Looking deep into his beautiful black irises, I knew that he was hurting. Before meeting the Winton fanily, I could never imagine how anyone could be so cruel, greedy, and calculated, but every single one of them was like this. I guess that Vanessa fit into this sick family perfectly, while Liling fell in love with the very wrong type of guy and paid the most severe price for her love.

I leaned closer to Aren and kissed his temple. “You know that I am here for you, right?”I whispered.

He smiled at me and stroked my cheek, but I could see how badly this recording had messed him up.

“George Richardson, the former Chef of the Greenwich Police Department, retired in 2020,” Norton suddenly announced, reading from his screen.

“What?” Alan snorted. “You found him already? That’s not fair! I wanted to have some fun

too!”

Of course, the rest of us ignored Alan’s grunting, shifting our eyes to Norton’s computer, There was a picture of a half-bald guy with grey hair and narrow, wide-set grey eyes. His whole expression emanated hostility and deviousness.

“So this is the guy who helped cover up my mother’s murder…” Aren clenched his fist, staring at the screen.

I touched his arm, trying to soothe his anger. “We will make them pay,” I muttered.

“Of course, we will!” Alan backed up my statement. “And if, for some reason, using legal means is impossible, Cora, Norton, and I will make their lives a living hell.” He grinned wickedly.

Aren smirked and high-fived Norton and Alan. “Thanks, guys. I think I’m not paying you enough.”