Chapter 221: Ill Intent
Cara Preston continued, "As soon as school let out, he ran over, called me his wife, and started grabbing at me. It was obvious he wanted to... to..."
She started crying again as she spoke. She had actually wanted to use the incident in the dark alley to her advantage, but while that story worked for slandering Vera Xavier at school, it was useless at the police station without any proof.
It’s always easier to feel sympathy for a beautiful girl when she cries. The police chief glared over at Jack Judd, who said nonchalantly, "What did I do to you? Did I grope your chest or grab your ass? Or did I sleep with you?"
Although Cara Preston was usually thick-skinned, she was, after all, an innocent eighteen-year-old. She was so shocked by his words that she almost forgot to cry.
The police chief glared at Jack Judd. "Shut up! We’ll hear from one person at a time!"
He then looked at Vera Xavier, who had been sitting there with remarkable composure, and said, "You first."
Normally, a girl her age coming to the police station for the first time would either be in a total panic or crying nonstop like Cara Preston. He had never seen a girl as calm and composed as her.
Most importantly, despite her youth, Vera Xavier had a remarkable presence. Her calm, steady demeanor, combined with her striking beauty, naturally inspired trust.
Cara Preston was not about to let her speak first and tried to interject, but the police chief shot her a cold glare. "You’ll have your turn. Interrupt again and I’ll detain you for obstructing official business!"
Cara Preston could only glare resentfully at Vera Xavier, the venom in her eyes undisguised.
Vera Xavier stated her case simply. "My name is Vera Xavier. I am Cara Preston’s sister, though we share no parents. When I arrived at the school gate after class today, I saw them scuffling. Then, Cara Preston claimed I was trying to harm her and that I’d sent this man to ruin her reputation."
At this point, she pointed at Jack Judd, her voice full of indignation. "But Officer, I’ve never seen him before in my life. I don’t know him at all!"
Her explanation made the situation much clearer. Coming from someone so composed, this show of indignation was far more compelling than Cara Preston’s constant tears.
"That’s not how it was! Vera, I know you’ve always resented Mom for the mix-up, for the years you had to suffer in the countryside while I lived in comfort here. Now that you’re back and you see how good city life is, you’re doing whatever it takes to come after me!" Cara Preston cried. "Besides, she *does* know him! Just this morning, she had him get physical with me in a breakfast shop..."
Vera Xavier cut her off. "You just said I’m new to the city, right? So how could I possibly know him? Have you ever seen me speak to him? Have you ever seen me associate with him before?"
This barrage of questions left Cara Preston speechless. Vera Xavier sneered, "You say I’m enamored with city life? I think the one who’s truly desperate to live in the city is you. You’ve turned your back on your own birth parents just to stay here. Cara Preston, what gives you the right to accuse me!"
"No, that’s not true!" Cara Preston cried. "The only reason I won’t go back to my birth family is because I can’t bear to leave Mom and Dad!"
The police chief was a veteran officer with many years of experience. Hearing their stories, he was already getting a clear picture of what was going on.
Just then, the officer who had been sent to investigate returned with an update. As luck would have it, the owner of the breakfast shop was at the station to apply for an ID card. They didn’t even have to go out and look for their witness.