By Zephyria 75
“What do you mean he’s been indicted!”
At the sharp voice, Lady Catherine replied from the other end of the phone in a tearful voice that didn’t suit her age.
“I don’t know, people suddenly came and took George away. Mother, what should I do? I’m scared, what should I do…?”
She just kept crying helplessly. Mrs. Campbell bit her lip, resisting the urge to scream that there was no use crying now. But that didn’t mean she intended to comfort her daughter. She was disgusted by her incompetence, which, far from being helpful in this situation, only made her want to rely on her.
Haa, she replaced the rising anger with a deep sigh, opened her eyes, which she had temporarily closed, and said in her usual cold voice.
“First, we need to find out what happened. Have you contacted Winston?”
“Yes, yes. I contacted him right away, but he’s not answering. The secretary won’t put me through, saying he’s in a meeting. I left a message, but…”
“I understand.”
Mrs. Campbell cut off her daughter’s unpleasant words at once.
“I’ll look into it. Don’t worry, it’ll be alright.”
“R-really? Maybe there was just some kind of mistake…? Ah, Mother. I’m so, so sca…”
Even as she continued to speak, Mrs. Campbell mercilessly hung up the phone. This was no time to listen to complaints. Besides, the whining of a grown daughter was just annoying.
What on earth is going on?
She nervously chewed on her lip. She couldn’t believe that such big incidents were happening one after another. It was as if it were a script, targeting the Campbell family like before.
…Could it be
She recalled the last thing she wanted to imagine. She wanted to shake her head immediately, but an ominous premonition filled her chest, and she couldn’t shake it off.
Could it be Winston.
Having thought that far, Mrs. Campbell immediately denied it vehemently. Nonsense, why would Winston? His own family, his own flesh and blood?
But she clearly knew the answer. Didn’t Winston have enough motive to do so? An all too obvious, undeniable motive.
Along with that, the face of someone she loathed to the point of shuddering came to mind, and she let out a suppressed groan. She felt dizzy and quickly placed both hands on the table to regain her balance. But her rapid breathing did not subside easily.
Because of that lowly thing, the family.
…Me.
Sparks flew from Mrs. Campbell’s eyes. If that was the case, she couldn’t forgive it. When she heard that he still didn’t believe it even after learning the truth, she thought that maybe Winston was deceiving them. But accepting it as reality was another matter. If that was the case, if Winston was really challenging Mrs. Campbell head-on.
Having thought that far, she took a breath and straightened her back.
“I’m going out, so prepare.”
After instructing the Butler, Mrs. Campbell went straight to her room to prepare to go out, thinking. If that’s the case, I can’t just let it go.
* * *
When his secretary reported that his mother had visited, Winston’s expression didn’t change much. With a nonchalant, very calm face, he asked.
“Do I have about 10 minutes?”
“Yes, your next schedule is at 4:30. You have about 30 minutes.”
At the secretary’s immediate reply, Winston nodded briefly and said.
“Tell her to come in. Tell her to finish her business within 5 minutes.”
“Understood.”
The secretary quickly left the office, and soon after, Mrs. Campbell came in.
“Winston.”
As she approached, calling his name softly, Winston rose from his seat to greet her.
“I wish you had contacted me in advance.”
At the soft voice, Mrs. Campbell smiled exaggeratedly.
“Something urgent came up. I’m sorry, I’ll make it quick.”
Sitting on the sofa as if it were natural, she waited for Winston to sit across from her before opening her mouth.
“Have you heard about George? Catherine was so surprised that she called me.”
“Ah, yes. I heard.”
Winston replied smoothly.
“There must be some kind of misunderstanding. I’ve told her to go see a lawyer.”
“Yes, well, that’s a relief.”
Mrs. Campbell smiled and made a relieved expression, but of course, it was a lie. Even as she smiled, she was busy trying to find a gap in her son’s face with her eyes. But he seemed no different than usual. If it were anyone else, they would have believed that Winston was innocent. That he had nothing to do with the series of events.
“Have you heard about Gordon?”
“Yes, I heard. Charlotte did something ridiculous.”
Winston frowned as he said that. At her son’s reaction, which was full of annoyance, Mrs. Campbell asked.
“The lawyer says that because of Charlotte’s testimony, there’s almost no chance that Gordon will get out. If things continue like this, he might spend decades in prison. Isn’t there anything you can do?”
Ha, Winston sighed loudly enough to be heard.
“Mother, if the ship is about to sink, reducing the weight by throwing away the cargo is also a way to survive.”
His intention was all too clear. Mrs. Campbell paused before quietly speaking.
“You’re saying we should give up on Gordon.”
“We can’t sink together, can we?”
Winston smoothly continued.
“Rape and attempted murder are too big. And there are more than ten victims, you should have stopped Gordon’s actions sooner. If we try to help Gordon now, the public opinion of the Campbell family will get even worse.”
“So.”
The smile disappeared from Mrs. Campbell’s face for the first time.
“You’re saying we should just let your brother rot in prison?”
“There’s nothing we can do right now.”
Winston added matter-of-factly.
“We need to appeal and buy as much time as possible while waiting for public opinion to subside. Interest will fade over time, so it’s not too late to make a deal then.”
Mrs. Campbell quietly looked at her son’s face.
“Is that your true feeling?”
While taking in the sharp gaze, Winston answered nonchalantly.
“Of course, Mother.”
He lied without batting an eye.
“Gordon is my own flesh and blood, isn’t he? Don’t worry, I’ll do something about it.”
Winston smiled to reassure her. Mrs. Campbell’s expression softened slightly as she silently stared at her son’s face.
“Okay, I understand. I’ll trust you and wait.”
Then, she readily stood up and looked down at her son.
“I’ve taken up your time for no reason. I’m sorry, I have to go now. I’ll go see Catherine too.”
Winston, who had risen to follow his mother, opened his mouth.
“Yes, Mother. Please comfort Catherine for me. And tell her not to worry too much.”
“Yes, I will.”
Mrs. Campbell hugged her son affectionately and patted his large back a few times. After briefly hugging his mother back, Winston released his arms, and she looked up at her son and said.”I’m so glad you’re here. It’s such a relief.”
Winston only smiled. After saying her final goodbyes, Mrs. Campbell left the office. Even as the door closed, she was smiling at her son.
“Mrs. Campbell, is there anything else you need…?”
Seeing the guest leave the office, the secretary stood up to speak, then paused. Mrs. Campbell’s face, as she turned, was expressionless, like a mask. As the secretary blinked in confusion, Mrs. Campbell straightened her back and walked out into the hallway.
Only the rhythmic sound of Mrs. Campbell’s heels echoed in the long hallway. Without slowing her pace, she opened her handbag and took out her cell phone.
She pressed a speed dial number, and after a ringing tone, a man’s voice flowed from the other end.
“It’s me. Is everything ready?”
After confirming his reply, Mrs. Campbell said,
“Good. Then let’s execute the plan as we discussed.”
After ending the call briefly, she hung up and reached out. She pressed a button, and the elevator doors opened immediately, and Mrs. Campbell stepped inside.
It’s okay, I prepared for times like this.
Recalling her son’s brazen lies, she was on the verge of trembling with anger. But Mrs. Campbell kept her back straight, hid her anger, and waited for the elevator to move. Her face, visible through the closing doors, was coldly hardened.