novelraw Chapter 195 - 159: Unwinding
Chapter 195 - 159: Unwinding
From his position, Sean Donovan could also see the fair skin behind Naomi Shaw’s ear. His expression instantly turned ugly—a mix of anger, astonishment, and disbelief. But in the end, he forcefully suppressed his emotions and willed himself to remain calm.
Julian Donovan let out a cold smirk. He walked up to Sean Donovan and spoke in a low voice only they could hear, "Someone who has never been intimate with her would never know about this little mole. Sean Donovan, you can make that woman look as much like her as you want, but you have never possessed her so intimately. Therefore, you’ve lost! I feel sorry for Charles Donovan, and for you."
Sean Donovan’s jawline tightened instantly, a clear sign he was struggling to contain his emotions. He had planned this for so long, only for Julian Donovan to see through it in an instant—and in such a humiliating way. How could he not be furious?
’Julian Donovan was right. I’ve never possessed her so intimately. The most intimate we’ve ever been was when I forced a kiss on her, so how would I have known about the mole behind her ear?’
Julian Donovan shot Sean Donovan a harsh glare, then turned to the police officer and said with conviction, "So the woman in the video wasn’t her. It was... someone else!"
As he spoke, his gaze drifted to Sean Donovan. ’Since Sean Donovan planned this, the real killer must be hiding somewhere under his control.’ Sean Donovan simply met Julian Donovan’s stare with an indifferent expression, having already concealed any other emotions.
The officer nodded. "I apologize. Our investigation was careless. We’ll release her now and immediately open a case to apprehend the real culprit!"
That Sean Donovan was the mastermind was just a guess, one that only someone like Julian Donovan, who knew him well, could make. How could the police imagine he would plot to kill his own grandfather? Besides, Julian Donovan had no concrete evidence to prove Sean Donovan was the one behind it all.
With that, the officer stepped forward and unlocked Naomi Shaw’s handcuffs. Naomi Shaw could no longer control herself. Tears streaming down her face, she threw herself into Julian Donovan’s arms. ’I’m finally cleared!’
Through her blurry, tear-filled eyes, her gaze fell upon Sean Donovan, who was watching her coldly from across the room. A shiver ran through her, and she quickly looked away, burying her face in Julian Donovan’s chest to avoid looking at Sean Donovan again. She still hadn’t considered that Sean Donovan was the one trying to frame her. The rift between them had widened because of how coldly he had treated her at the hospital the day before.
However, Julian Donovan was not satisfied with the officer’s statement. "You made such a scene taking her away yesterday. Now all of Wincastle thinks she’s a murderer, and you think just letting her go is enough? I demand that your department issue a public apology to clear her name!"
The officer was about to say something when the lawyer interjected, "Your department’s actions have indeed damaged my client’s reputation. She is an angel in white whose calling is to save lives. If you don’t publicly apologize and clear her name, how is she supposed to continue in her profession? If you refuse to apologize publicly, we will sue you for defamation!"
The lawyer made full use of his professional eloquence. The officer wiped sweat from his brow. "I’ll report this to my chief!"
He then picked up the phone on the desk to make the call. It was unclear what the person on the other end said, but the officer just kept agreeing. After hanging up, he turned to Julian Donovan and the others with a smile. "We will hold a press conference immediately to publicly apologize to Miss Shaw!"
Julian Donovan snorted. "That’s more like it!"
Besides Caleb Rhodes having already put in a word with the police, which meant the chief didn’t dare to cross him, the most critical factor was that reporters from Sutton were demanding to cover the story thoroughly and completely. If Sutton exposed the department for incompetence, arresting the wrong person, and then refusing to apologize and clear her name, the chief’s career would be over.
So, under pressure from all sides, the chief had no choice but to agree to a public apology from the department.
The police department publicly apologized and cleared Naomi Shaw’s name. Nestled in Julian Donovan’s arms, she wept with joy and relief. As Julian Donovan led her out of the police station, snowflakes began to drift from the sky. The flurries weren’t heavy, but enough to create a swirling effect. The crisp, cold air did much to refresh their tormented spirits.
"Go home and pack a bag. I’m taking you abroad to get away from all this."
Julian Donovan said this as they sat in the car, raising a hand to stroke her cheek. He had long wanted to take her on a trip, just the two of them, with no one to bother them. This was the perfect opportunity to get away and dispel the shadow this ordeal had cast over her.