Rachel rushed to the investigation bureau as soon as she got the application for withdrawal Jessica had faxed to her, hoping to overturn the verdict on Justin. But midway, she heard Justin would be leaving Riverdale on this day, so she rushed to the airport instead.
What she didn’t expect was that Justin long suspected Julian, and he fooled everyone into thinking he was down to nothing when everything was actually according to his plan.
“So you thought you didn’t need to tell me because I won’t believe you anyway?” “Your number one priority would definitely be Jessica’s well-being if something happened to her. So I didn’t say anything to you.”
Rachel’s deep concern for Jessica would cloud her judgment, leading the situation to probably aggravate. When the incident happened, Justin only suspected it was Julian’s doing. But he didn’t have any hard evidence that pointed directly toward Julian, so he could only play along. More importantly, Justin had never seen Rachel since the incident, so he couldn’t explain to her that he had never done anything to Jessica.
Rachel was pissed. Not that she was mad about Justin but herself. For the longest time, Justin never did any wrong while she was the one who dwelled in the past, presumptuously thinking people never change, either distinctively good or evil.
“Sorry.” Rachel apologized softly, taking Justin aback. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I should be the one apologizing.”
“No, you’re right. I wouldn’t believe you even if you told me in the first place.” Rachel looked up, taking pains to utter her next words. “I have indeed placed too much trust in Julian. So much so that I nearly became an accomplice and railroaded you, making you the subject of public criticism.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m okay, aren’t I?” “Rae, I’m really okay,” Justin explained with utter patience. “I won’t leave Charlotte behind and walk away no matter what happens.” He only mentioned Charlotte and not the young woman before his eyes. Meanwhile, flight schedules were still being broadcasted in the airport terminal.
The plane Justin was supposed to board had already landed, but he no longer needed to leave anymore, and thus, he chucked the boarding pass in his hand into a trash can. “Let’s go.” He smiled at Rachel.
As Rachel drove, she was the one who sent Justin back to summer villa, where Frankie had long been awaiting. “You’re the one who told Rae everything?”
“I didn’t tell her anything, I swear.” Frankie hurriedly defended himself. “Oh? You didn’t say anything?” Frankie chuckled awkwardly in response. “I might or might not have accidentally let slip about Old Mr. Burton when I bumped into Miss Carter.”
Justin frowned upon hearing so, and Rachel jumped in. “It’s not Frankie’s fault. Jolly was the one who told me your grandfather’s death was suspicious. So I sent someone to Montenegro to look for your aunt.” “You had someone look for my aunt?” Justin looked surprisingly at Rachel. “What did she say?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head. “She’s in a poor mental state right now. The guys at the sanatorium said she would never answer Julian’s calls, so I suspect some irreconcilable conflict must’ve happened between the two. But I told them to stop digging when she’s in that state.”
“Thanks,” said Justin after a moment of silence.
“What for?” “For stopping your investigation. Aunt Sue’s getting on in years. Whatever mistakes she had made in the past, since she has been sent abroad, let her spend the rest of her life peacefully there.”
“You’re not going to prosecute your grandfather’s cause of death?” Justin took a deep breath in response because it seemed to be a difficult decision for him.
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