Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 957

But Elaine's eyes were clear as she looked at him, shaking her head with tears of grievance in her eyes, "Ashton, you have to believe me, I didn't do any of this. Whitney and the others might not believe me, but I couldn't bear the thought of you misunderstanding me. If that's the case, then I'll just go to the police station and have them clear my name.

Ms. Valentine, there's no need for hostility!"

Whitney couldn't help but scoff at her firm declaration, casting a glance at the police officers, "Every criminal is tough-tongued before they confess. Officers, I trust you'll interrogate her thoroughly!"

In her view, Elaine's reappearance was full of loopholes. With a kidnapping case this big and several kidnappers involved, it was impossible that no one would rat Elaine out as the mastermind behind the scenes.

Besides, facing such a dire situation, wouldn't Endora want to push all the blame onto Elaine to save her own skin?

Endora would likely confess, letting these two vile women turn on each other!

She was well aware that Elaine's return wasn't for any simple reason, most likely targeting them, her 'old foes.'

She certainly didn't miss the icy glare Elaine shot her, as if wishing she could tear Whitney apart.

Elaine had used Endora as a go-between, hoping to make a comeback in Banyan City, slowly regaining her power?

But she hadn't counted on Parker kicking Endora out of the equation, and with Cherry's lineage exposed, Endora couldn't protect herself, let alone be Elaine's shield.

The kidnapping was definitely Elaine's idea, fueled by her hatred for both herself and Tiana, wishing nothing but ruin upon their family. What was she planning by using Endora to kidnap someone?

After all, people like her don't act without profit in mind.

And now, turning from a kidnapper to a 'savior' overnight, probably seeing Endora's downfall coming.

Such malice chilled the bone.

"Take her away! Start the interrogation from scratch, top to bottom!" Whitney's eyes gleamed with vengeance.

"I agree! Inform your chief, no one is to cover for this woman." Meanwhile, Parker, holding Cherry, boarded the ambulance, his voice carrying a stern command.

The local officers, wary of Parker's status as a scion of the Doonan family, nodded immediately, "Rest assured, Mr. Parker."

As Parker's gaze withdrew, he shot Ashton a look, not minding the brewing rift between brothers, he sternly reminded Ashton, "Stay out of this. Right and wrong, black and white, the police will sort it out. Innocent people won't be wronged, nor will the guilty escape!" The officers handcuffed Elaine, her eyes brimming with tears, making her look pitifully fragile under the night sky's humidity.

As she was led away, stumbling and nearly falling, Ashton couldn't stand by idly and rushed to support her.

Elaine clung to his hand, her eyes filled with a broken smile, "Ashton, I'm scared... I never thought my secret return would still not escape Ms. Valentine's persecution.

But never mind, don't trouble yourself over me, it's just... cough cough... I'm already so ill, if anything happens to me in the station, please, take care of my affairs." Her tearful, pitiful look broke Ashton's heart.

He hadn't forgotten that it was Elaine who had saved him from the icy depths of a lake all those years ago.

He owed her his life.

Firmly grabbing her shoulders, his brows furrowed, he assured her, "Elaine, don't talk nonsense. As long as you're innocent, you'll be released. The truth will clear your name!" "Yeah, but I'm afraid. Now, I'm powerless and destitute, like a stray dog, and with Ms. Valentine and others..." Elaine's voice trailed off, full of fear.

Whitney was disgusted by the display.

Ashton glanced at Whitney and then at Parker, knowing well that if Parker applied pressure, the police might not conduct a fair investigation.

After a moment of thought, he spoke firmly, "Don't worry. If we're seeking justice, then no one should interfere with the investigation. I'll go to the station with you." "Ashton!" Whitney objected, unable to believe Ashton's blindness, she quickly added, "You have no relation to Elaine, why go to the station?

Don't forget, your wife is also a Bartels, her name is Valerie Bartels, and now she's gone because of your antics!"

Ashton stiffened at her words.

Elaine, with a sorrowful push, said, "Valerie is missing? Ashton... you better not bother with me."

She was led away by the police, her departure marked by repeated glances back, while also taken were the kidnappers.

Ashton, massaging his temples, stood rooted to the spot, his gaze following Elaine as she was taken into the police car, his brows deeply furrowed.

Whitney, seizing the moment to stir him up, said, "If anything happens to Valerie while she's out there, it'll be on you. It's your indecisiveness with Elaine that hurt Valerie!

Now Elaine returns after vanishing for a year, and you think she means well? Ashton, can't you see?"

"But if she really did kidnap Cherry, why would she be so bold now? Yes, she's hurt you before, but Whitney, people can change, especially when they've lost everything."

"Lost everything, only to want it all back!" Whitney shot back, her gaze cold, "I suggest you wait for the police investigation and Endora's confession. You need to open your eyes and see Elaine for who she really is." With that, Whitney rushed towards the departing ambulance.

All because of Elaine's mess, she hadn't even checked on Cherry's condition yet.

"How's the child? Is she hurt?" Whitney climbed into the ambulance, having not heard a peep from Cherry, neither cries nor laughter upon seeing her mother.

She looked up to see Tiana, her face pale as she crouched next to the stretcher, tears rolling down her cheeks. "The paramedics said she's in a coma and has a concussion, Whitney..."

Whitney's expression shifted subtly, while Parker's icy gaze darkened even more. "Don't panic. Let's wait for the hospital to run a full check-up. If there's any issue, I swear I'll make Elaine pay!"

-

In the back of the police car.

Elaine watched through the rear window, catching Ashton's tall figure standing in the darkness.

His gaze was deep, complex, following her direction with a heavy, unreadable look.

Elaine turned away, glancing down at the handcuffs around her wrists, her lips a calm shade of pink, curving into a sinister smile. She squinted her eyes, a spark of triumphant malice flickering through. She knew Ashton still cared, that he was still hooked on her games. Back when she was held captive by Ludwik in a hospital in Banyan City, having one of her kidneys removed, she was in a state between life and death, yet she used Ashton's soft spot to her advantage. Despite her dire situation, she vehemently denied poisoning Natalie in front of him, uncertain if Ashton believed her.

Nevertheless, she played the part of the frail, suffering victim, refusing to eat and inflicting wounds upon herself for nearly a month. Eventually, she managed to convince Ashton to help, orchestrating a plan to distract Ludwik's guards.

That night, she made her escape!