Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 971

"Rubbish! Only if Endora's gone completely bonkers," Whitney knew right off the bat there was a catch, "Did Ashton meddle with the police investigation?"

The other party paused, "You'll have to ask the Chief that."

"Officer, keep an eye on the custody suite for me, I'll be right there. There's no way I'm letting Elaine walk out of that precinct."

Without further ado, Whitney, fueled by rage, stormed out of the hospital.

To prevent Ashton from foolishly aiding Elaine behind the scenes, Whitney had someone inside the precinct keep her informed about Elaine's investigation. To her astonishment, Endora hadn't ratted her out?! Had she lost her mind? Was this not the time Endora would want to save her own skin?

What in the world had Elaine done?

Whitney cursed Ludwik for not dealing with that witch when he had the chance. Due to Florence, everyone had been too distracted, allowing Elaine to slip through the net.

It was evident this woman was a master at survival, with tricks up her sleeve far beyond the ordinary.

After committing countless misdeeds, Whitney was determined to prevent her from causing more trouble in Banyan City!

Twenty minutes later, Whitney arrived at the Banyan City First Precinct.

After parking her car, she had barely stepped in when she saw Elaine being released.

What enraged Whitney was the sight of Ashton standing next to her, signing documents and collecting Elaine's belongings, clearly ready to escort her out.

"Ashton!" Whitney's voice was cold, her eyes ablaze with fury, "What exactly are you doing?"

Ashton turned sharply, his brows knit in frustration, "Whitney..."

"What are you doing?"

Whitney approached him aggressively, "So it was you who pulled strings for her? Elaine plotted a kidnapping and nearly killed Cherry, did you know?!"

Ashton's gaze darkened, "Whitney, the precinct has cleared her of any suspicion.

She had no family to sign for her, and she provided my number, so I just came to pick her up."

"I don't buy that you didn't help her! You're complicit in her crimes..."

Before Whitney could finish, Elaine, with a cold gaze, interjected, positioning herself between them with a pitiful look at Ashton, "Ms. Valentine, you've got it all wrong about Ashton! Ashton! It's all my fault.

I shouldn't have given the police your number. Then they wouldn't have bothered you to come and sign for me.

I made you look like the villain in Ms. Valentine's eyes, as if you betrayed them for me.

In truth, you haven't covered for me at all.

Ms. Valentine, even if I was foolish in the past and did many wrongs to you, please believe I've turned over a new leaf.

I've said I had nothing to do with the kidnapping; it was purely coincidental that I discovered the kidnappers and reported them.

You see, after thorough questioning, the police also proved my innocence.

Neither the kidnappers nor the mastermind knows me."

"It's impossible they don't know you! You're the mastermind behind the scenes, you incited Endora to kidnap Cherry, and you provided Endora with the poison to harm Fabian. You've been plotting your return, biding your time!" Whitney pointed at her accusingly, her eyes coldly fixed on Ashton, "She's been in cahoots with the kidnapper Endora all along. Why haven't they confessed about her? Didn't you ever stop to think what tricks she's played? What's really going on here? And you're still taking her side, Ashton, what can I say? Can't you see what a vile creature she is?"

Ashton paused, his gaze shifting towards Elaine.

But there she was, her lips quivering, her hair a mess, her body frail, on the verge of tears yet not crying, looking as if she might collapse at any moment. How could he harbor any doubts?

Elaine lowered her head, tears welling up, "Ashton, you better leave before Ms. Valentine's anger affects you too. She harbors deep resentment towards me; let it be directed at me alone.

Even if no one signs for me and I can't leave the precinct, I'll accept that.

After all, once I'm out, I have nowhere to go. The Bartels family is ruined, my parents are sick, and I have nothing left in Banyan City. It might be better to let Ms. Valentine throw me in jail and die there."

Her tears fell, insinuating that Whitney, out of vengeance, might imprison her.

Whitney, with burning eyes, was about to retort.

Ashton, unable to bear it, frowned and pulled Elaine close to him.

"Don't talk like that. I trust the police's impartial investigation. If the police say you're innocent, who can charge you with a crime?"

His words were light, but the implication was heavy, and he looked towards Whitney with a cold gaze, "Whitney, I thought you could discern right from wrong. Last night, you and Parker told me not to interfere, and I didn't. I haven't spoken a word in her favor to the Chief of Police! You don't trust Elaine, fine, but you don't trust me either?

In your eyes, do I have to be in league with her?

I'm really offended by your baseless accusations!"

"It's you who can't see the evil this woman has done. There's something wrong with the police's interrogation results!

She's clearly involved in the kidnapping.

I've said it before, where did the Bartels Pharmaceutical, where did Endora get the banned poison? From Elaine! Do you really think Endora, who married Parker for money, could concoct a plot to kidnap Cherry and extort a billion from Parker?

Who desperately needs money, who is greedy, can't you see?"

Whitney felt like she was about to explode in frustration, "Even if the kidnappers and Endora didn't confess, can't you see the other inconsistencies and clues about her?"

Ashton hesitated, his brows furrowed as he stared at Elaine, "Elaine, tell me the truth. Did you give that poison to Endora to harm Fabian?"

Whitney was beside herself with anger. Would this woman admit to anything in front of them?

Indeed, Elaine shook her head vehemently, tears streaming down her face like a scene straight out of a tragic romance. "I didn't! Ashton, you must know the Bartels family went bankrupt. The pharmaceutical company shut down ages ago. Plus, I've been hiding for a year; where would I even get poison?

Ms. Valentine, it all comes down to old grudges with you, doesn't it? You just can't let go of the past.

The police cleared my name, but you're still out here trying to pin something on me. Why?

Ashton, if you don't believe me, then just go. I didn't want to ruin your friendship with Whitney over this. It's not worth it. Just go!"

With a dramatic flair, she pushed Ashton away as if she were the heroine of her own story.

Whitney nearly burst into laughter at the scene.

When it came to manipulating men, Elaine was a master craftswoman.

The more she played the victim, the more guilt Ashton felt, making it impossible for him to leave her side.

True to form, Ashton furrowed his brows, deep in thought, but didn't walk away. Instead, he turned to Whitney with a determined look. "The police closed the case. Am I wrong to trust their judgment? Why are you so hostile towards her? She's lost everything and is clearly struggling. Whitney, let bygones be bygones.

And you think she played tricks during the investigation? I find that hard to believe.

If she was in cahoots with Endora, there's no way Endora wouldn't have ratted her out!"