After I Died, the Scumbag Went Mad

Chapter 112: Chapter 112: The One Who Saved Me in the Car Accident That Year Wasn’t Julian Fletcher

”He kidnapped me. He also threatened my husband and hurt him...” I kept my voice low as I stated the facts.

Julian Fletcher’s gaze deepened, and he sneered. ”You say I kidnapped you? Where’s your proof? I’m willing to cooperate with the investigation.”

Julian Fletcher left with the police. As he was led away, his gaze was intense. ”Silvia Lynch, you’ll regret this.”

He seemed certain that Asher would kill me.

’And then, I would surely regret it.’

”Cece...” Asher’s face was pale as he came to my side. He leaned against me as if completely drained of strength, resting his chin on my shoulder. ”It hurts so much.”

My body stiffened slightly. I asked in a low voice, ”Did you call the police as soon as you arrived?”

”Mhm...” Asher admitted that he’d had someone call the police when he arrived.

’That’s right. He’s not foolish at all.’

This time, Julian Fletcher had really picked a fight with the wrong person.

”The Young Master was very worried about you,” Assistant Foster said respectfully.

I looked at Assistant Foster with a complicated expression. ’What was the connection between him, Owen Finch, and that murderer?’

’Was he contacting them on Asher’s behalf?’

Asher took my hand, wanting to leave, but I remained rooted to the spot.

Asher looked back at me, bewildered and a little frightened.

”That person at the courtyard residence, what’s his story?” I asked Asher, my voice hoarse.

’It’s better to ask him directly than to keep second-guessing each other.’

Asher stared at me for a long moment before speaking. ”His name is Ash. He was at the orphanage, too. He’s fifteen now. He’s a survivor of the fire, from dorm 403.”

Dorm 403... that was the room right next to the one where Asher and Charlie had been trapped.

So many children died that year.

Ash was one of the survivors.

His burns were so severe I could barely make out his face or guess his age. All I knew was that he was tall and thin, just like the murderer in my memories.

”He’s not the murderer...” Asher explained softly.

I turned to Zeke Shaw, confused.

Zeke Shaw nodded at me. ”We’ve checked it all out. The kid really is only fifteen, a minor. He’s in poor health from severe burns and rarely leaves the house. He and his older sister are the only family they have. Also, I checked his arm. I didn’t find the red birthmark you mentioned.”

I rubbed my aching temples. ’Did I remember it wrong?’

’No, that can’t be right. The person who spoke to me at my house that day was definitely him.’

’Ash?’

’But the person who tried to kill me definitely had a red birthmark on his arm.’

”He has been to my house, though, right?” I asked, looking at Zeke Shaw.

Zeke Shaw nodded. ”The kid’s a petty thief. He has no income, so he resorts to shoplifting and small break-ins.”

”Then what about Madeline Quinn? He must have been the one who knocked her out, right? And the body we saw at Cecilia Caldwell’s house that day...” I asked again, my voice tense.

Zeke Shaw shook his head. ”It wasn’t him. He has a solid alibi. He has to go to the hospital for medication every month. The doctors, nurses, and security footage all confirm he was at the hospital all night. So it wasn’t Ash who attacked Madeline Quinn and committed the murder.”

I didn’t believe it. ’It wasn’t just my imagination. There’s definitely something wrong with that guy.’

”Why are you taking care of him?” I looked at Asher, hoping he would tell me the truth.

”He has no way to make a living. No one will hire him.” Asher reached for my hand, but I pulled away.

”Then what about Assistant Foster? Why did he go see Howard Finch?” ’It’s better if everyone just explains themselves clearly.’

”The Young Master doesn’t want you to be involved any further. He’s afraid you’ll be in danger,” Assistant Foster explained calmly. He didn’t seem to be lying.

But I couldn’t bring myself to trust them completely right now.

”Let’s go...” I said in a low voice, taking the lead.

’Charlie... Ash.’ I silently repeated the two names.

’But the ages don’t line up.’

”Cece... let’s go home,” Asher said softly, tentatively taking my hand.

I glanced at Asher. ”Don’t lie to me. Not once. Not even a white lie.”

Asher’s fingers stiffened, and he looked back at me. ”Asher doesn’t lie. Cece is the one who lies.”

My heart skipped a beat. I looked away, feeling a strange sense of guilt.

’Is he saying he never lies, and I’m the liar?’

’What on earth did I lie to him about...?’

Just as we walked out of the abandoned psychiatric hospital, we saw the entrance was swarmed with reporters and onlookers.

They were all surrounding Julian Fletcher, asking him why the CEO of the Fletcher Group would get involved in a kidnapping and break the law.

Julian Fletcher’s face was grim as he got into the car. ”No comment.”

All the reporters were here today, clearly gunning for Julian Fletcher. If the media exposed this, the Fletcher Group would undoubtedly take a hit.

Julian Fletcher shot me a cold glance but said nothing as the police led him away.

”Fletcher Group CEO Involved in Kidnapping!”

”Why on earth would he kidnap someone?” the reporters muttered among themselves. The crowd was also saying Julian Fletcher must have lost his mind.

Once this news broke, the Fletcher Group’s stock would take a massive hit tomorrow.

’Has Julian Fletcher made a powerful enemy?’

I looked at Asher suspiciously. ”Was this your doing?”

Asher didn’t say a word, which was as good as a confession.

’He really doesn’t seem to be a good liar.’

’So he just doesn’t explain anything at all.’

”Well, things are about to get interesting for the Fletcher family,” Zeke Shaw sighed. He glanced at me before getting into his car. ”If the evidence for the kidnapping holds up, the Fletchers will probably try to reach a private settlement with you. It’ll be your choice to make.”

I froze. The Fletchers would come see me for Julian’s sake... which meant Mrs. Fletcher would definitely come.

I could be ruthless toward Julian Fletcher, but I wasn’t sure I could do the same to Mrs. Fletcher.

Once in Assistant Foster’s car, I hesitated before finally speaking. ”Are you trying to destroy Julian Fletcher?”

’Where did Asher get this kind of power?’

”No...” Asher shook his head. ”I want him dead.”

Whenever Julian Fletcher was mentioned, Asher’s eyes filled with murderous intent.

...

News traveled fast. Word that Julian Fletcher had been taken away by the police soon reached the Fletchers.

When Mrs. Fletcher came to the Lancaster residence to see me, she looked as if she had aged considerably.

I’d heard that after ”my” death, Mrs. Fletcher had become ill from grief and had been recuperating in Porchester ever since. She had clearly returned because of Julian.

The Fletcher family’s legal team is top-notch. While they might get the kidnapping charge dropped, Julian Fletcher had still illegally detained me, which is also a crime.

I knew Mrs. Fletcher was here to get me to sign a letter of forgiveness, to salvage Julian’s reputation and mitigate the damage to the company.

”Ma’am... Mrs. Fletcher is here.” The housekeeper led Mrs. Fletcher into the living room.

My fingers tightened subconsciously, but I remained seated, feigning calm.

The moment Mrs. Fletcher saw me, she gasped and covered her mouth, her eyes welling with tears.

I desperately wanted to comfort her, but I couldn’t.

I wasn’t Cecilia Caldwell anymore. I was a stranger with no connection to her.

”I’m so sorry... Miss Lynch, you just look so much like my daughter,” Mrs. Fletcher said, her voice choked with emotion.

She used to call me her daughter all the time.

I knew Mrs. Fletcher had treated me with genuine affection, but this time... I wasn’t going to let Julian Fletcher off the hook.

”Miss Lynch, I know Julian acted recklessly this time. Please... if you have any conditions, we can discuss them,” Mrs. Fletcher pleaded in a low voice.

”The sins of the son are the fault of the parent. How many more years can you clean up his messes?” My gaze was resolute. I wouldn’t let Julian Fletcher off easily this time. Even if his legal team could get him off with just fifteen days in detention, I was determined to make sure he served every single one.

Mrs. Fletcher fell silent. After a long pause, she spoke. ”Ever since my daughter Cece passed away, Julian has become unhinged. This is his karma... He deceived Cece for many years, and he deceived himself for just as long. I heard him say that you were a close friend of Cece’s, that she told you everything.”

I frowned, looking at Mrs. Fletcher. ”You say Julian Fletcher deceived Cecilia Caldwell? What did he lie to her about?”

”The car accident... the one that involved the Caldwell family... The person who saved Cecilia and her parents... it wasn’t Julian.”